First Friday with Friends

First Friday with Friends is a monthly gathering of Friends Groups, Members, Librarians, and those who love libraries. It is held on the First Friday of the month at 9:00 am central (8:00 am mountain) via Zoom. To receive reminder emails and follow-up materials, please email FoKL Board Member, Amy Brucker, at director@syracuselibrary.info.

Upcoming Dates and Topics

  • October 6, 2023: “Follow Up Friday: Takeaways From the SW Regional Friends Day”
  • November 3, 2023: “Secrets of Success: FoKL’s Grants and Awards Application”
  • December1, 2023: No First Friday with Friends

Click on the title (highlighted in blue) to view the recorded sessions.

September 1, 2023: “Secrets of Success: National Friends of Libraries Week”
* Here is a link to the 2023 American Library Association’s “National Friends of Libraries Week”
* Check out these ideas for the week, courtesy of FoKL Board Member, Sheryl Erickson

August 4, 2023: “Secrets of Success: Reviving and Thriving” with Friends of Beck Bookman Library

Check out these videos that have been in the news.
* ABC News: Prime Focus: US Libraries on the Frontlines of Homelessness
* CBS Sunday Morning: Beyond Books: The 21st Century Public Library

May 5, June 2 and July 7, 2023: No First Friday with Friends

April 7, 2023: “Summer with Friends: How Friends Support Their Library During Summer Reading” with Friends of the Mary Cotton Library

March 3, 2023: “Secrets of Success: March Madness, Building Your Team” with FoKL’s 2022 Outstanding Individual, Erin Ragan


February 3, 2023: “Secrets of Success: Library Libations and Books, Beer and BBQ” with FoKL Board Member Cheryl Sylvester and Friends of the Ashland Public Library

We were unable to save the the recording for the February First Friday, but check out these awesome ideas and posters from the Friends of Ashland Public Library.

January 6, 2023: “Secrets of Success: Community Relationships and Bond Issues” with FoKL Board Member Amy Brucker

Friday, November 4, 2022: “Secrets of Success: MOU’s” whoops, we forgot to record!
Friday, October 7, 2022: “Secrets of Success: Community Partnerships” with Friends of Baldwin City Library and Wendy Conover
September 2, 2022: “Secrets of Success: Document Retention”
August 5, 2022: “Secrets of Success: ABC’s of Book Sorting and Sales” with Friends of the Salina Public Library
July 1, 2022: “Secrets of Success: Unique Fundraising” with Friends of Morrill Public Library
June 3, 2022: “Secrets of Success: Summer Library Programs” with Friends of the Andover Public Library
May 6, 2022: “Secrets of Success: Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner” with Friends of the Wamego Public Library
April 1, 2022: “Secrets of Success: Online Memberships and Payments” with Manhattan Public Library Association
March 4, 2022: “Secrets of Success: Friends of the Winfield Public Library”
February 4, 2022: “Let’s Get Social: Using Media to Communicate with Friends”
January 7, 2022: “Advocating for the Library at all Levels”

December 3, 2021: “Allocating Funds Raised”
November 5, 2021: “Open Mic: Bring Your Questions”
October 1, 2021: “National Friends of Libraries Week”
September 3, 2021: “Let’s Talk Friends, Foundations, and Libraries”
August 6, 2021: “Who’s On Fire? Preventing Burnout”
July 2, 2021: “Going for the Gold: Be a Library Champion”
June 4, 2021: “Making Memberships Meaningful”
May 7, 2021: “Book Sales”
April 2, 2021: Back to Business: Keeping Friends Safe”
March 5, 2021: “Friends: How are you doing?”