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United for Libraries

Information and Memberships

All Nebraska public libraries are statewide members of United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association. The Nebraska Library Commission has purchased memberships to ensure that public library staff members, Friends, Trustees, and Foundations can take advantage of United for Libraries' services to enhance fundraising, advocacy, and public awareness.

United for Libraries, also called the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF) "is a national network of enthusiastic library supporters who believe in the importance of libraries as the social and intellectual centers of communities and campuses. No one has a stronger voice for libraries than those who use them, raise money for them, and govern them. By uniting these voices, library supporters everywhere will become a real force to be reckoned with at the local, state, and national levels."

Membership in United for Libraries also provides Nebraska public libraries with subscriptions to The Voice, the newsletter of United for Libraries with in-depth articles on successful fundraising, advocacy, trustee news, and public awareness, access to awards, discounts on library resources, and global networking opportunities with others who support libraries.

Training and Resources

United for Libraries no longer uses a single username and password for all Nebraska members. Individuals will register and login with their own account. Below are the links if you need a new account or if you need to reset your existing password:

If you have any questions, please contact Holli Duggan.

Nebraska Public Library Friends & Foundation groups are listed here.

Trustee Academy 

Citizens for Libraries Publications available from the Library Commission:
            Even More Great Ideas for Libraries and Friends
            Getting Grants in Your Community
            Making Our Voices Heard: Citizens Speak Out for Libraries
                    Please contact the reference desk to borrow these publications.

NCompass Live: United for Libraries - Moving to a Bigger, Better Platform

ALA recently launched its new integrated learning management system (LMS), ALA eLearning. While the old United for Libraries system has served us well, the new LMS offers more streamlined access, integration with all ALA training opportunities, and enhanced functionality.

Join Beth Nawalinski, Executive Director for United for Libraries, as she takes us through this new system and all the updates. (Recorded on February 9, 2022)

NCompass Live: United for Libraries' - Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations: The Voice for America's Libraries

Beth Nawalinski and Peter Pearson share their ideas about United for Libraries' mission and vision, and how Nebraska and its libraries can benefit and fully use the resources available through this dynamic ALA division. Learn about Nebraska's statewide membership, including online trainings that are available free to all Nebraska public libraries. Hear about United for Libraries' Baker and Taylor Award. Laura England-Biggs, from Keene Memorial Library in Fremont, NE, will discuss the Friends of Keene Memorial Library's Baker and Taylor Award-winning project. (Recorded on January 8, 2020)

Training Workshop presented by Sally Reed, April 2008
Great Ideas for Libraries and Friends with Sally Reed, Executive Director, FOLUSA, Videoconference PowerPoint Slides

Handouts from FOLUSA Training Workshops presented by Sally Reed, March 2007:

Advocacy Campaigns - Legal Limits on Spending for Non-Profits
Checklist for Advocacy
Friends Board Development
Getting and Keeping Members
How to Organize a Friends Group
Model Friends' Cooperative Network


For more information, contact Holli Duggan.