The Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library is an independent 501(c)(3) tax-qualified non-profit organization. As such, it operates both independently and in partnership with BPL and others to fulfill its mission of supporting the programs, services and partnerships of BPL through advocacy, outreach and fundraising.
OUR PROGRAM INITIATIVES
Bookstore
The Friends Bookstore offers a treasure trove of print books, audio books, book bags, magazines, records, tapes, cds, and other media at nominal prices. It also sells snacks and hot and cold beverages. Proceeds assist in funding the Foundation and various library programs. The Bookstore also has an outreach program, giving excess books to retirement facilities, schools, and the Foundry. Friends volunteers manage and staff the store. Already a member? Sign up to volunteer at the bookstore by emailing friends@www.friendsofthebpl.org.
Fundraising
As a non-profit, the Friends Foundation partners with BPL to pursue individual donations, private and governmental grants, individual and corporate sponsorships, and similar funding and sponsorship opportunities to benefit BPL. The Foundation also administers several membership drives, an annual fund drive and two advocacy and outreach drives during National Library Week and #GivingTuesday to raise funds and advocate the library’s needs.
Events
OUR BOARD AND OFFICERS
Friends Foundation Board Members
Sandi Lee, President
Irene (Renee) Blalock, Vice-President
Patricia (Pat) B. Rumore, Secretary
Christin French
Haley Herfurth
John Saxon
Ex Officio
Janine Langston, Executive Director
Birmingham Public Library
Willie S. Davis III, President
Birmingham Library Board
Donor Bill of Rights
The Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library supports and promotes the Donor Bill of Rights as promulgated by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:
I. To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
III. To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
IV. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
V. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
VI. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
VII. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
VIII. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
IX. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
X. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
The text of this statement in its entirety was developed by the American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel (AAFRC), Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and adopted in November 1993.