Forwarded by Angie

From: Geonet listserv [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Richard Huffine
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 1:27 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [GEONET] Establishing a Friends of the USGS Library

I am looking for individuals that would be interested in forming a Friends of the Library organization to support the USGS Library. I don't believe any approval is necessary from the Agency itself, all we really need is a small group of people that would be willing to serve as founding members of a Board of Directors and work toward establishing a charter, bylaws, and a working presence for the organization.

My primary interest is to create a forum and voice for advocating for adequate funding for the USGS Library but there would obviously be a need and opportunity to raise money to support interesting and unique projects in support of the collections, services, and special features of the USGS Library. The USGS has discretion regarding the acceptance of funds for such special projects and I am sure that they could provide us with ideas and cost details for preservation, digitization, and other projects.

Once we establish a core group, I would like to create a membership-based Web site where we can encourage membership, communication and participation by Friends across the globe for the USGS Library. Another opportunity would be to create and market products promoting the library and its' unique public domain resources including framed prints of USGS photography, enhanced ebooks and reprints of important reports, etc. 

We have a real opportunity to promote a valuable resource, support its' continued viability and add our voice to others in our community supporting earth science research through sustaining library services. 

Please contact me off-list if you want to support this effort. If we can get a core group of 6 to 8 people to sign on to serving on a founding Board, I will consider that a success and we can begin the work of forming the group. 

Thanks!

Richard Huffine, former Director, USGS Libraries Program (2010-2013)

202-253-3511 cell
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