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Friends of the Library and the Connecticut State Library
The State Library provides a number of resources to library Friends groups. Mary Engels, Director of the Middletown Library Service Center serves as the State Library's liaison to Friends groups. In that capacity she works closely with The Friends of Connecticut Libraries (FOCL) helping local communities start Friends, providing information and resources to established groups, offering advice and consulting assistance to Friends and maintaining an extensive collection of resources for Friends at the Middletown Library Service Center. For more information, contact Mary Engels, 860-704-2207.

Important Friends Resources:
FOCL is a non-profit organization consisting of local Friends groups, organizations and individual members who believe that libraries are an essential resource for the citizens of Connecticut. Some of their activities include a quarterly newsletter FOCLPOINT, FOCL-Forum electronic discussion list, workshops on subjects of value to Friends and their libraries, a directory of local Friends groups and their activities, and cooperation with other library organizations (Connecticut Library Association , Association of Connecticut Library Boards, FOLUSA - Friends of Libraries U.S.A.) to advance the cause of libraries throughout the state and on a national level. There are 150 local Friends groups in Connecticut.

Handbook for Connecticut Library Friends Groups. This handbook, created with the help of LSTA funding, shows how to start and run a Friends of the Library. Groups wishing to copy and distribute this document are free to do so.

Web Resources on Nonprofit Status for Friends Groups. A list of resources for Friends groups in Connecticut who are looking to achieve non-profit status with the IRS and State of Connecticut.

Working Together. A description of the responsibilities of the library's Director, Board of Trustees, and Friends.