Trustees should belong to the American Library Trustee Association. Membership includes a subscription to the journal, American Libraries . Their goals are similar, but their paths to achieve them differ. The following guidelines are designed to help to clarify their joint missions and facilitate working together for the good of the library. Friends are citizens who value the service of public libraries and volunteer to help them.
Friends usually operate with a self-elected board of directors, representing the community.
Friends are kept informed of the library's plans, progress and problems. Friends recognize that they do not perform a policy-making role for the library, but should feel that their opinions are valued by the trustees. Friends support trustee board decisions. Friends supplement what cannot be provided by the library budget with funds, materials, equipment and services. Friends decide how to spend their money after conferring with the librarian and the library board.