2026 Shaping the Future for Your Friends of the Library Retreat (Group Viewing)

This registration is for Group Viewing. For individual only registration, please refer to the 2026 Shaping the Future for Your Friends of the Library Retreat (Individual) course listing.

Retreat Description

Friends groups make a lasting difference for their libraries. Learn how to ensure your library Friends have a bright future and strategic direction. The program will include panel presentations, activities, and idea sharing.

Live Date/Time

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Start Time: 12:00 pm Eastern | 11:00 am Central | 10:00 am Mountain | 9:00 am Pacific
Duration: 3 hours

On-Demand Access

Presentations will be recorded; breakout rooms will not be recorded. On-demand access will begin approximately 72 hours after the live retreat.

Agenda/Topics

• Part 1 – Friends Group Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement (presentation and breakout activity) 
• Part 2 – Friends and Foundations Working Together (panel discussion)

Frequently Asked Questions

Download an information sheet with retreat description, date/time, speaker, registration options, comparison of individual vs. group viewing registration, and frequently asked questions.

Registration Options

Group Viewing Registration

• Purchase this course registration for a single Friends group to gather and participate live in a single location. 
• Options are available for those who cannot assemble in a single location. Once registered in the course, please refer to the "How to Participate" section of the course for more details.
• Each registration is valid for a single standalone Friends group; library staff may also participate with their Friends group. 
• If your library system has branch Friends groups, save15% on the purchase three (3) or more group viewing registrations.
• If your Friends group cannot assemble on March 21, you may still purchase Group Viewing registration and attend as an individual. Your group can gather at another time to watch the recording and complete activities together.

Individual Registration

• Purchase individual registration for one named individual to participate live and/or watch on-demand. Please refer to the 2026 Shaping the Future for Your Friends of the Library (Individual) course listing to purchase individual registration.
• Group viewing is not permitted with individual registration. Sharing of logins is not permitted.
• Individual attendees will be placed in Zoom breakout rooms with other individual attendees for activities and breakouts.
• Save 15% on the purchase of three (3) or more Individual registrations.

Speakers

Kathy Dooley-Smith, President, Friends of Tennessee Libraries
Kathy Dooley-Smith is currently the President of the Friends of Tennessee Libraries and has been a lifelong library advocate. Over the last decade, she has served as a trustee of the John P. Holt Brentwood Library, a board member of the Brentwood Library Foundation, and the President of the Friends of the Brentwood Library. In her role with FOTL, she mentors local Friends groups on issues big and small, advocates with elected officials, and educates patrons about Friends across Tennessee and the country.

Candace Vessella, President, Friends of the Lewes Public Library
Candace Vessella is an active library supporter and advocate. Since moving to Lewes in 2009, she has been a volunteer at the Lewes Public Library and currently serves as President of the Friends of the Lewes Public Library Board of Directors. She also chairs the Sussex County Library Advisory Board and sits on the Delaware State Council on Libraries. Vessella’s civic involvement has included service on the Lewes City Council (2022 – 2023), Lewes Board of Public Works (2011 – 2013, Lewes Board of Adjustment (2013 – 2022), and the Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission (2018 – 2022).

In 2009, she retired from her position as Vice President for Government Relations at BAE Systems Inc, where, as a professional lobbyist and senior manager, she was responsible for advocacy strategy development, execution, and functional support of a growing global defense company. She previously served as the Director of Government Affairs for Lockheed Martin Corporation. Before joining Lockheed Martin, Vessella served 10 years with the Department of Defense, including as an intelligence analyst, and ending her tenure there as Senior Senate Liaison for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Washington, D.C.

Vessella is a retired United States Navy Captain.  She served in the U.S. Navy Reserve for over 25 years until her retirement in 2008. Her last command assignment was as the Commander, Navy Reserve Intelligence Area, Washington, D.C. She holds a BA in communications from Southern Connecticut State University and an MA in International Communication and African Studies from The American University in Washington, DC. 

Deborah Doyle, Chair, Sonoma County (Calif.) Library Commission
2024-2026 President, United for Libraries
Deborah Doyle is a writer, editor, and fundraiser as well as an active library advocate at local, state, and national levels. Her work experience includes roles at the Defense Nuclear Agency, the Council on Economic Priorities, Dolby Laboratories, Heidrick & Struggles, and Booz Allen. She played board and staff roles at Friends of the San Francisco Public Library and was actively involved in helping to create San Francisco’s well-funded modern library system. She has served as President of the California Library Association (CLA) and is the only person to receive CLA’s President’s Award twice – the highest honor given to an individual for significant contributions to libraries. She currently sits on the United for Libraries board, the ALA Committee on Legislation, the CLA Advocacy and Legislative Committee, chairs the Sonoma County Library Commission, and is a past president of California Public Library Advocates. She also serves on United’s Intellectual Freedom/Advocacy Committee. Deborah holds a BA from the University of Virginia (high honors) and an Executive MLIS from San Jose State University. She is also a performer and serves on the boards of the Living History Centre and the Guild of St. George in California.