4-1-1 on Library Advocacy

1. 4-1-1 on Library Advocacy What to do and where to start to get the word out about libraries. Presented by Carla Land

2. What exactly IS Library advocacy? • Dictionary.com defines advocacy as: noun, plural ad·vo·ca·cies. the act of pleading for, supporting, or recommending; active espousal • We all know what libraries are! (That place with all the books, right?)

3. WHY should we advocate for libraries? • Seems like a no-brainer, right? But if we don’t, who will? • Legislators are more inclined to support funding for things they know are important to their constituents • We are not always advocating to those who understand the value of libraries. • Need to be able to articulate why your library is important in terms your audience will understand • Need to have “whys” that will also appeal to your audience

4. Okay…I know why. Now WHO do I advocate to? • Your patrons (teachers, parents, students, etc) • The media • Government officials that hold the purse strings • State representatives • Federal representatives

5. Got the Why. Got the Who. But HOW? • District Days • National Library Legislative Day • Other National Library Events • National Library Week • National Library Card Month • Teen Read Week • Banned Books Week

6. District Days • District Days are the days when our national representatives come home to listen to their constituents (that’s us!) • District Days happen every year, though the dates change from year to year. • This is a great opportunity to build relationships with elected officials and their staff. • Locate yours here:http://capwiz.com/ala/home/

7. District Days • Invite your representative to a library event (be sure the library is in his/her district!) • Give as much advance notice as possible! • Take photos and share with his/her office • Visit your representative at his/her office • Share pictures, patron comments, successes with them • For tips on contacting elected officials, see the handouts provided.

8. National Library Legislative Day • Started to give librarians and library supporters a chance to meet face to face with their representatives in Washington, DC, to discuss current legislature that concerns libraries • Gives ALA a chance to thank elected officials that support libraries • Brings library advocacy to the attention of elected officials- you can’t ignore 350 librarians! • Can participate in person or virtually, too!

9. National Library Legislative Day • This year National Library Legislative Day is scheduled for May 7-8, 2013 • Ideas on how to get involved • Go to Washington, DC and participate • Tweet your US Senator on these days- and get others to do the same • Organize a Contact Your Congress Party for your students and patrons • See the YALSA Wiki link in the handouts for more tips on how to participate

10. Other Ways to Advocate • Text! • Text library to 877877 and then follow the prompts • ALA Washington Office will send a text alert when something is happening, and is even able to connect you via your phone directly! • Email lists • Visit http://lists.ala.org/sympa to sign up for ALA lists on all sorts of subjects, including advocacy and intellectual freedom.

11. Resources • ALA’s Library Advocacy page http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg • ALA National Library Legislative Day page http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/nlld • YALSA District Days Wiki http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa/index.php/District_Days • YALSA National Library Legislative Day wiki http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa/index.php/National_Library_Legislative_Day • Text Alerts Text Library to 877877 and follow the prompts. Since June I’ve gotten two alerts. • List- servs/ Email lists Go to the ALA Mailing List Service at http://lists.ala.org/sympa to sign up for email alerts and information • Find your officials http://capwiz.com/ala/home/ (Be sure to enter your library’s zip code to reach the right elected officials!)