Midterm elections are right around the corner. For many of us, that means library advocacy is at the forefront of our minds. The ALSC Advocacy and Legislation Committee wants to make sure that you feel empowered and informed so you can advocate for yourself, your library, and the children and families you serve.
Yes, it can seem daunting. But advocacy is something we library folk already excel at: sharing information and building relationships. Advocacy is all about helping your patrons and elected officials better understand your library’s role and value to community. But how do you start organizing all of that information? How do you tell your library’s story in a clear, engaging way?
There are so many wonderful resources available to help you get started. However, it can feel overwhelming to slog through everything to find what you need. ALA’s Everyday Advocacy focuses specifically on library services to youth which is why it’s usually one of the first places I go. Whether you’re looking for fast facts (check out these quotable library statistics, quick tip sheet, and templates for elevator speeches) or a deep dive (like ALA’s Advocacy University and resources from other organizations), this diverse collection of resources has something for everyone.
And what better resource do we librarians have than each other? Want to hear from experts with experience advocating for libraries on local, state, and national levels? Register for the Advocacy for Everyone webinar on October 3rd at 2pm CST. Panelists will share their top advocacy tips and how they can be used in everyday patron interactions. Have any burning questions for the experts? Leave them in the comments below for the panelists to answer during the webinar.
Whether it’s at an outreach event, during a reference interview, or even while chatting in line at the grocery store, you can advocate for your library anywhere. ALSC is here to make sure you have the tools that will empower you to take action. How will you tell your story?
Sarah Okner is the co-chair of the ALSC Advocacy and Legislation Committee. She is a Youth and School Services Librarian with the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire, Illinois.
This post addresses the following ALSC Core Competencies: V. Outreach and Advocacy, and VII. Professionalism and Professional Development.