One library shared the idea of a book basket fundraiser, a twist on the traditional book sale fundraiser. They pull the "practically new" books from the public donations and add small decorations to make themed book gift baskets.
Another cool idea comes from the North Kinston Free Library in Rhode Island. The Friends of the NKFL publishes "A Century of Books for All the Mind's Journeys," a guide to 100 American classics. Each year highlights a different classic book. The guide is available at the library for $5.
While it may sound laughable at first pass, in-library mini golf courses are increasingly popular. As a fundraising strategy, their popularity is owed to the Trumbull (CT) Public Library. In 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the nascent Trumbull Library Foundation staged a mini golf course to raise money for devastated libraries along the Gulf Coast. (Golf and gulf, get it?) Attendance and revenue exceed expectations, allowing them to donate $40,000 in unrestricted aid to the Waveland (MS) Library. They have since ‘packaged’ their model; you can read all the details at libraryminigolf.com. If this sounds like a recipe for disaster, take comfort in the experience of the Downers Grove Library (IL). When Downers Grove coordinated their first 18-hole tournament in 2012, more than 400 people turned out to participate. Staff found guests respectful of the facility, and reported no damage whatsoever to the building or materials.
While we don’t have statistics to back it up, it seems safe to say that bibliophiles have an affinity for word games, as well. Organizations like the Santa Cruz County Public Law Library have capitalized on this. Santa Cruz hosts an annual Scrabble tournament, which regularly brings in over $5,000 to benefit the library and adjoining juvenile court facility. Pay-to-play Scrabble tourneys benefiting the local library can also be found in Escondido, CA, in Brooklyn, NY, and in many points in between. Scrabble not your game? Not to worry. In a similar vein, our own Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library hosts the annual Minnesota Crossword Tournament, and the Friends of the Arlington Public Library (VA) hosts a Puzzle Festival (crosswords and sudoku) each year.
We’ve already mentioned how hors d’oeuvres and wine samplers are a surprisingly effective yet simple way to draw would-be-donors into the library’s orbit. Themed parties are the next logical step. For instance, each year, the Friends of the Pelham (NY) Public Library orchestrate a series called “Novel Night.” Setting this fundraiser apart from the bunch is the ‘novel’ fact that party-goers literally have no idea what they are signing up for, aside from price point and literary theme. They learn the venue, site hosts, and itinerary that same day! If you prefer to host your adult-only parties inside of the library, take inspiration from Friends of Ramsey County (MN) Libraries, who hold an annual F. Scott Fitzgerald-themed “Great Gatsby Gala” party, and Friends of Racine (WI) Library, who host successful adults-only murder mystery parties after hours.
Let’s not forget the introverts. For some people, the best fundraising event is no event at all. As an example, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles pioneered the tongue-in-cheek “Stay Home and Read a Book Ball.” Participants are encouraged to hole up at home with a good book – solo but in solidarity with other bibliophiles across the city. In the run up to the big day, in lieu of a “reservation,” the Foundation encourages participants to make a financial pledge to the Library online. Other communities have added their own spin to this non-event. Johnson County (KS) Library recruited novelist Gillian Flynn as unofficial chairman of their Stay Home and Read a Book Ball, and added a social media hashtag. North of the border, the Friends of the Vancouver Public Library fleshed out their Stay Home event with librarian-curated reading recommendations and other tie-in resources. It’s unlikely to be your biggest fundraiser, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most cost effective.
Libraries are no longer places just for finding great books, magazines, music, DVDs, and information online, they've become places to create as well. With this in mind, why not host a Write-a-thon? Participants can research, become inspired, meet other writers, and work on their projects all at the same time! Blazing Laptops, a successful write-a-thon event in San Diego, brings in teachers, poets, and even yoga instructors to help lead activities throughout the day. Write-a-thons are a great way to highlight the library and build community!
These and other ideas found at
