Did your Friends of the Library carry out an outstanding project or a number of successful activities in your community during 2024 that had a significant impact on your library’s services to the community?
The Friends of Michigan Libraries (FOML) invites Michigan Friends groups to apply for this award. There are two $400 award categories: a Friends group serving a population under 12,000, and a Friends group serving a population of 12,000 and higher. (Consult with your library director for service population information.) The winner will be presented with the award at the FOML Annual Membership Meeting.
The award will be given to a Michigan Friends group either for a specific project carried out in 2024 or based on the full scope of the group’s activities during 2024. While selecting the winners of this award, preference will be given to applicants who have not previously won this award. Applications will be judged by the FOML Awards Committee on the following criteria*:
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- Planning: Involvement of the Friends, library, and community in the use of resources, an innovative and appropriate activity, and measurable outcomes (e.g., attendance at event, increase in patron use of the library, etc.).
- Implementation: Public relations, broad membership involvement, and use of resources.
- Evaluation: Assessment of activity or program with measurable results.
- Innovation: New idea(s) for program or activity, creative involvement of community and specific citizens, and creative use of public relations.
- Community Involvement: Evidence of community involvement in planning and implementation.
The winning Friends group will receive $400, a certificate and an invitation to attend the FOML Annual Membership Meeting in 2024 to receive the award.
To be eligible for this award, your Friends group must be a 2024 FOML member. Membership information can be found at https://foml.org/membership/ The project or activities must have been completed during the 2024 calendar year.
The deadline for receipt of applications for the 2024 Merit Award is January 10, 2025.
Click here for the online Merit Award Submission Form.
Please email any questions to: FriendsofMichiganLibraries@gmail.com
Your Friends Group could be a winner!
Past Winners
Serving population < 12,000
2022 No applications submitted
2021 Friends of the Shelby District Library
2019 Friends of the Albion District Library
2017 Friends of the Huntington Woods Library
2016 Friends of the Henika District Library
2015 Friends of Munising Public Library
2014 Friends of New Buffalo Library
2013 Friends of Bayliss Public Library
2012 Kingsley Friends of the Library
2011 Friends of the Calumet Public Library
Serving population > 12,000
2022 No applications submitted
2021 Friends of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
2020 Friends of the Charlotte Community Library
2019 Friends of the Charlotte Community Library
2018 Friends of the Ferndale Area District Library
2017 Friends of the Kalkaska County Library
2016 Friends of the Orion Township Public Library
2015 Friends of the Saint Clair Shores Public Library
2014 Friends of Hackley Public Library &
Friends of the Salem-South Lyon District Library
2012 Friends of the Petoskey Library
2011 Friends of the Troy Public Library
*FOML may decide not to grant these awards if, in the opinion of the Awards Selection Committee, the applications received do not meet the criteria listed above.