Quiet study room with windows at the Sherratt Library

Friends of the Library

The mission of the Friends of the Sherratt Library is to advance the services and collections of the Library and strive to develop and promote interest in the Library and expand financial capabilities. The Friends of the Sherratt Library was established in May 2009. On that date, a new advisory board was created and they adopted the constitution and bylaws. There are six levels of membership and anyone who desires to join may become a Friend. Each level has increased benefits to the member.

Becoming a Friend

Are you interested in supporting the library and raising funds to buy books and collections? If so, you should join the Friends of Gerald R. Sherratt Library! Contact Trudy Widup via e-mail or phone

Become a Friend Online

Friends receive these benefits with each increase in membership level receiving the benefits of all the levels below:

Patron ($30 to join)

  • Newsletter
  • Borrowing & Interlibrary Loan privileges

Friend ($100 to join)

  • Invitations to special programs and lectures

Associate ($250 to join)

  • Remote access to selected online databases
  • Invitations to training sessions

Sponsor ($500 to join)

  • Use of study rooms

Fellow ($1000 to join)

  • Membership in the President's Club

Benefactor ($5,000 and above)

  • Six indoor weekday Shakespeare tickets
  • Other benefits as negotiated

Benefits and Resources

The following resources are available to our Friends of the Library:

  • Newsletters
  • Events
  • Driggs Lecture Series (March)
  • Databases

Available to members at the Associate level or above:

Academic Search Premier
This is a general database that contains full text and abstracts for journals and magazines in many disciplines. You can get to other EBSCOhost databases by starting Academic Search Premier, then clicking on "Choose Databases" link at the top of the page just above the "Select a Field" box.

ProQuest
This database has an extensive collection of major U.S. and international news sources including the New York Times and the Times of London.

Gale Virtual Reference Library
This database includes encyclopedias covering the fields of Business, Multicultural Studies, Nation and World, and Social Science.

Constitution

The official name of this organization shall be Friends of the Gerald R. Sherratt Library of Southern Utah University.
The mission of the Friends of the Gerald R. Sherratt Library of Southern Utah University is to advance the services and collections of the Library through community, emeriti, and alumni outreach and establish fundraising activities which support the principles, values, and ideals of open access to information and scholarship. The Friends strive to develop and promote interest in the Library and expand financial capabilities toward the services and resources available to all stakeholders.
The purpose of the Friends of the Gerald R. Sherratt Library of Southern Utah University shall be to recruit friends of the library, promote activities that advance the Library's role as the center of an educational enterprise, and to secure financial support for instruction, research, and access to information. These goals shall be achieved through non-binding recommendations to the Dean, faculty, and staff of the Library.
Section 1

The Friends of the Gerald R. Sherratt Library of Southern Utah University shall be governed in compliance with SUU policy.

Section 2

The Friends of the Gerald R. Sherratt Library of Southern Utah University is directly responsible to the Dean of Library Services.

Any person, business, or organization interested in the mission and purpose of this organization may become a member by meeting the requirements for membership as set forth in the by-laws.
Section 1

The Advisory Board shall consist of no more than 20 members in good standing, and will serve for a 3 year term. The Advisory Board shall annually elect one of its Advisory Board members to serve as Chair and one as Vice-Chair. The Chair will serve a subsequent year as Immediate Past Chair. The Vice-Chair shall succeed the Chair in the event of a vacancy precluding the fulfillment of his/her term. For the initial establishment of the Advisory Board, the Dean of Library Services shall appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair.

Section 2

At the annual meeting, the Nominating Committee will make recommendations to the Advisory Board regarding the selection of a new Chair and Vice-Chair. Nominations can also be initiated from any advisory board member. The Dean of Library Services shall serve as ex-officio secretary/treasurer with vote only in case of a tie.

Section 3

The Dean of Library Services shall serve as ex-officio secretary/treasurer with vote only in case of a tie.

Section 4

The Advisory Board may authorize the Chair to appoint committees, make assignments, or initiate other actions consistent with the mission of this organization.

Section 5

The Advisory Board shall meet at least once annually on campus at a time determined by the Advisory Board. Other meetings may be called as needed, conducted via teleconference or conferencing software over the Internet.

Section 6

The Advisory Board shall conduct the business of the Friends of the Library between meetings and recommend disbursement of the funds of the organization. Gifts made to the Friends of the Library will be assessed a 5% administration fee in compliance with the SUU Institutional Enhancement Fund Implementation Guidelines. The administration fee applies to monetary gifts and not to gifts-in-kind.

These articles may be supplemented by a set of by-laws which may be adopted by a majority vote of the Advisory Board at an annual meeting of the organization.
These articles and by-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the Advisory Board at an annual meeting of the Advisory Board.

Bylaws

Section 1
Any person, business, or organization may become a member of the Friends of the Library by payment of the annual membership dues as outlined in Appendix A Levels and Benefits of Friends of the Library Membership.

Section 2
As established by the Advisory Board, the following shall be the levels of membership available:
  • Patron, $30
  • Friend, $100
  • Associate, $250
  • Sponsor, $500
  • Fellow, $1,000
  • Benefactor, $5,000
Section 3
Membership shall expire one year from payment of annual dues. 
 
Section 4
Honorary membership may be awarded by a vote of the Advisory Board to individuals or organizations that make notable contribution to the Library or the Friends.
Section 1

Each member of the Advisory Board will donate at a level that meets their individual ability to give.

Section 2
The Nominating Committee will make recommendations to the Advisory Board regarding new Advisory Board members. New Advisory Board members shall be admitted at any time during the year upon a majority vote of a quorum. 
 
Section 3
The Advisory Board, with approval of Library administration, faculty, and staff, shall establish and maintain membership benefits for each defined category of member. 
 
Section 4

A majority of the members of the Advisory Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 5
All actions of the Advisory Board shall be by a majority vote of those present and voting.
 
Section 6
Regular meetings of the Advisory Board shall be held at times specified by the Advisory Board. Special meetings shall be called as appropriate with due notice to all Advisory Board members.
 
Section 7
The Advisory Board may appoint standing committees and ad hoc committees for special purposes.
Section 1

The duties of the Advisory Board Chair shall be to preside at meetings and establish the agenda. The vice-chair shall assist the Chair and preside over the Advisory Board meetings in the absence of the Chair. The Secretary shall record and preserve the minutes of the Advisory Board meetings; be responsible for meeting announcements and other information to members; assist the chair and vice-chair with their duties. The Immediate Past Chair shall assist the Advisory Board Chair and Vice-Chair.

Section 1

All money received from whatever source shall be deposited with the Southern Utah University Foundation in accounts in the name of Friends of the Gerald R. Sherratt Library of Southern Utah University.

Section 2

The fiscal year of the Friends of the Library shall be that of Southern Utah University. 

Section 3

Expenditures from the above accounts shall be made by the Dean of Library Services with authorization of the Advisory Board. The chair has authority to submit expenditures up to $1000 to the Dean of Library Services, all other disbursements shall be approved by majority vote of the board.

Section 4

A report of receipts and expenditures shall be made biannually to the Advisory Board by the secretary. 

In the event of dissolution of the Friends of the Library organization, all residual assets shall be transferred to the Southern Utah University Sherratt Library for continuance of the purposes stated in the Constitution of the Friends.