5 Simple Ways Your Library Team Can Support Fundraising

What many people don’t realize is that fundraising goes far beyond grant applications or big annual campaigns. It involves everyone—librarians, staff, volunteers, and even patrons. The library’s ability to meet its financial goals is often linked to how well the entire team can work together to support these efforts. Whether you’re on the front lines interacting with patrons or behind the scenes helping organize events, your role matters in shaping a sustainable future for the library.

Fundraising can seem daunting, especially for those who aren’t used to asking for money. But when approached as a team effort, it becomes much more manageable—and even exciting. By combining your skills and insights, you can make a huge impact. In this post, we’ll dive into practical ways your library team can actively participate in fundraising efforts, ensuring that your library continues to be a thriving hub for the community.

1. Talk About Your Library's Needs

One of the first steps to effective fundraising is communicating your library’s needs clearly and passionately. While leadership often spearheads major fundraising initiatives, every member of the team can help by bringing awareness to the needs of the library in everyday conversations with patrons, volunteers, and community members.

Start by thinking about the library’s current challenges. Are you looking to expand your children’s programs? Do you need funds to upgrade your technology or create more inclusive spaces? The clearer and more specific you are about your needs, the easier it becomes to engage your patrons and get them excited about supporting your goals.

Here’s how to start the conversation:

• Highlight the impact. When talking with patrons, focus on how donations directly impact their experience. For example, “Did you know that by supporting our annual campaign, you’re helping us offer more free workshops like the one you attended last week?”
• Involve your team. Encourage staff to bring up fundraising naturally during interactions with patrons. A casual mention of the library’s current goals in a friendly conversation can be an easy, approachable way to raise awareness.

2. Discuss Your Fundraising Goal with Patrons

Patrons are often eager to support the library but may not know how. One of the best ways to connect with them is by sharing your library’s fundraising goals in a clear, compelling way. Whether it’s raising funds for new collections, technology upgrades, or special programs, communicating these goals can help patrons feel more connected to your mission.

Consider setting up a campaign update area near the circulation desk, where patrons can see progress toward the goal. Digital updates on your website or social media platforms are also great ways to engage patrons in real-time.

Tips for engaging patrons with your fundraising goals:

• Be transparent. Share how much you aim to raise, and explain how the funds will be used. Transparency builds trust and makes people feel more comfortable donating.
• Celebrate milestones. Whether you’ve raised 10% or 90% of your goal, celebrate it! Let patrons know how far you’ve come and how close you are to achieving the goal.
• Host fundraising events. Engage patrons with fun events that both raise money and build community. Consider hosting a trivia night, book sale, or read-a-thon with entry fees supporting your cause.

3. Participate in Fundraising Committees

Fundraising isn’t just for the leadership team or volunteers—it’s a team-wide effort. Every staff member can contribute their unique skills and perspectives by participating in a fundraising committee. Committees allow for more hands-on involvement in fundraising activities, and they ensure that everyone is working toward the same goal.

Joining a committee also helps foster a sense of ownership and responsibility within the team, encouraging deeper engagement.

Here’s how your team can participate:

• Offer diverse roles. Not everyone may feel comfortable asking for donations directly, but they can still play a key role in fundraising. Whether it’s helping organize events, managing the budget, or designing promotional materials, there’s a place for everyone on a fundraising committee.
• Meet regularly. Regular committee meetings keep the fundraising efforts on track and provide an opportunity to celebrate successes, troubleshoot challenges, and generate new ideas.

4. Support Planning with Leadership

Leadership is often tasked with setting the library’s fundraising goals and strategies, but the success of these efforts depends on support from the entire team. Whether you’re a librarian, part-time staff, or a volunteer, your insights are valuable in shaping the library’s fundraising plans.

When leadership teams and staff collaborate on planning, it fosters a more unified effort that reflects the needs and strengths of the entire library.

Ways to support leadership in fundraising:

• Provide feedback. Share your insights on what’s working and what could be improved. Have you noticed patrons responding positively to certain campaigns? Do they ask about specific programs? Sharing this information with leadership can help shape future fundraising strategies.
• Stay informed. Make sure that all staff are aware of current fundraising goals and initiatives so that they can effectively communicate them to patrons.
• Be proactive. Offer suggestions for fundraising ideas based on what you’re hearing from patrons. The more the team is involved in brainstorming and strategizing, the more ownership they’ll feel over the process.

5. Integrate Friends and Library Fundraising Activities

Your Friends of the Library group is one of your greatest allies in fundraising, and it’s essential to integrate their efforts with the broader goals of the library. While the Friends group often operates independently, bringing them into the fold of your library’s overall fundraising strategy can amplify your impact.

Here’s how to align Friends and library fundraising efforts:

• Coordinate events. Make sure that the fundraising events organized by the Friends of the Library align with the library’s larger fundraising goals. For example, if your library is raising money for a new technology center, encourage the Friends group to dedicate a portion of their book sale proceeds to that effort.
• Share resources. Work together to create joint promotional materials, event calendars, and social media campaigns to ensure that your messaging is consistent and cohesive.
• Host joint meetings. Hold periodic meetings with library staff, leadership, and the Friends group to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding fundraising goals, events, and timelines.

Fundraising is vital to keeping our libraries thriving, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When we work together as a team—librarians, staff, volunteers, and Friends—we can build a fundraising strategy that feels doable and, more importantly, impactful. Start by having honest conversations about your library’s needs, share your goals with patrons who care, join or organize committees, and support your leadership in planning. Don’t forget to team up with the Friends of the Library to maximize your efforts.

The most important thing is to get started. Every small action adds up, and before you know it, you’ll see the progress unfold. With everyone pitching in, your library will not only meet its fundraising goals but continue being the heart of your community for years to come. Together, we can make it happen!