What Friends Groups do, your local Friends Groups and how to set up a new group.
What Friends Groups do
Friends Groups are independent groups who work with Bristol Libraries to help create a library service that works for the whole community.
They:
- host coffee mornings as a social activity and to fundraise
- raise money for extra library equipment or activities such as writing workshops
- promote their local library on social media
- arrange talks with authors
- support The Bristol Library Strategy 2020 to 2024
They also host:
- board game evenings
- theatre performances
- film screenings
- introductions to Ancestry sessions
- Lego events
- public living rooms
- meetings to build links with local community groups and organisations
- reading groups
Friends Groups in your community
Bedminster and Marksbury Road Libraries
Bishopston Library
- Friends of Bishopston Library Facebook group
- Friends of Bishopston Library website
- Email: friends@bishopstonlibrary.org.uk
Clifton Library
- Email: hello@foccal.com
- Friends of Clifton Library Facebook group
- Friends of Clifton Library website
Hillfields Library
- Email: friendsofhillfieldslibrary@gmail.com
- Friends of Hillfields Library Facebook Group
- Friends of Hillfields Library website
Henleaze Library
Knowle Library
- Email: friendsofknowlelibrary@gmail.com
- Friends of Knowle Library Facebook group Go to http://www.facebook.com/KnowleLibraryFriends (opens new window)
Redland Library
Sea Mills Library
- Friends of Sea Mills Library Facebook group
- Friends of Sea Mills Library website
- Email: contactus@friendsofseamillslibrary.co.uk
Shirehampton Library
- Email: friendsofshire@gmail.com
- Friends of Shirehampton Library Facebook group
- Friends of Shirehampton Library Twitter feed
Westbury Library
Whitchurch Library
Libraries without Friends Groups
The following libraries don't yet have a Friends Group:
- Avonmouth
- Bishopsworth
- Central (in progress)
- Filwood
- Fishponds
- Hartcliffe
- Henbury
- Horfield
- Junction 3
- Lockleaze
- Southmead: in progress
- St George
- St Pauls
- Stockwood
- Wick Road
We're really keen to a have a Friends Group for each library as a way of working together with the community. We can help you set one up.
Set up a Friends Group
If you're interested in setting up a Friends Group in your local library let us know.
Email library.ideas@bristol.gov.uk with:
- your name
- the name of your local library
Once we have your details, we'll help you arrange a meeting with a member of staff at your local library, so you can talk about your Friends Group.
It can be useful to set up a Facebook page or website.
Resources for Friends Groups
Use the guides below to help you with different tasks.
- pdf Friends of Bristol Libraries Guidance Framework(205 KB)
- document Friends Group constitution template(459 KB)
- pdf Key information for friends groups(226 KB)
- pdf Social media guidelines(99 KB)
- pdf Film screening and licensing(200 KB)
- pdf Social media tips for friends(244 KB)
- The Bristol Library Strategy 2020 to 2024
- pdf Checklist for Friends/Community Events and Activities(182 KB)
Roles in the group
- pdf Role of the chairperson(111 KB)
- pdf Role of the treasurer(96 KB)
- pdf Role of the secretary(116 KB)
Finance
pdf Instructions for setting up a bank account for community and voluntary organisations(100 KB)
Events
- document Event plan(70 KB)
- document Risk assessment template(16 KB) (see an pdf example of a risk assessment(24 KB) )
- document Risk assessment template for events involving children(32 KB) (see an pdf example of a risk assessment for an event involving children(60 KB) )
- pdf DBS guidelines for Library Friends Groups 2021(313 KB)
Arrange a Friends Group meeting
Once your Friends Group is set up you can arrange the Friends Group meeting. We can help you with this.
It's useful to think about:
- what you want to talk about at the meeting
- who might be able to help you in the community
- the date and time of your first meeting
- how you'll advertise the meeting: on social media or a poster in the library