Advocacy

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Who should advocate?

  • Librarians
  • A broad mix of individuals
    • trustees
    • friends of the library
    • resident library users
    • local business & community leaders

Effective advocates are educated about the library’s needs, and have a clear message for their audience. For more information about library advocacy, contact John Thompson.

Other Resources

IIFLS library System’s Get Involved Page.

Kathy Setter’s Advocacy notes from ALA 2019 Conference.Confidently Negotiating Political and Financial Support for your Library and Planning tool

South Central Library System has developed an excellent online advocacy toolkit.

Wisconsin Library Association’s Advocacy Tips and Listening Session information are great tools that are also available for you.

 

 

How do we do it?

  • Collect positive comments from library users and share them with your elected officials. These stories help move local-decision makers about the value of the library to the community.
  • Help local elected officals by providing reliable information.  They have many difficult decisions to make. Give them the information and tools they need to be a library advocate in their govenmental work.
  • Develop a message that is used consistently by staff, trustees, foundation members and friends of the library.  Use the message over and over. Watch how Eau Claire Public Library staff use clear messages to promote their library in this WEAU interview.