About Member Groups

Every library in Suffolk has a member group (also known as a Friends Group). They are groups of volunteers who are passionate about their local library and Suffolk Libraries. Member groups work with local library staff to identify ways in which they can help to improve the library and the services it provides. Over the years, member groups have held all sorts of fundraising events, activities and initiatives, the profits from which have been used to fund a vast array of improvements. In recent years, many member groups have also become increasingly involved in supporting initiatives that raise money for Suffolk Libraries centrally, in addition to supporting their local library.

Each member group is a small independent charity with a group of trustees who drive activity, often supported by a wider group of volunteers. Most groups are always looking for new volunteers to help them, whether that’s becoming a trustee or providing help at fundraising events – or both!

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Why are they called Member Groups?

Member Groups have been referred to as friends’ groups over the years. We’re now calling them member groups to reflect the important fact that each group is a ‘member’ of Suffolk Libraries. Note that it’s each group that’s the member, not the individual people within them. Groups sign a short membership agreement which outlines some key principles around how they should operate.

The member groups play an important role in the structure of the organisation; the board of Suffolk Libraries is elected from the member groups, by the member groups, and the board is responsible for overseeing the governance of the organisation. If there is a proposal to change the rules of Suffolk Libraries, this will need to be voted on and agreed by the membership.

So, although the day-to-day role of a member group is about helping and supporting their local library, they also play a key function in the way that Suffolk Libraries operates.

For more information on Member Groups, please contact diane.muirhead@suffolklibraries.co.uk.

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How to join a Member Group

Are you an enthusiastic supporter of your local library? Are you interested in working with like-minded people on fundraising initiatives to support it? If so, you’re just the sort of person our library member groups are looking for!

We’re actively looking for new Members at a variety of libraries across Suffolk. To join a Member Group, you can speak to your local library manager for more information or apply via our online application form.