The Midwinter Meeting is coming up fast! In case you want to brush up on how to best advocate for yourself and your library, here’s a quick rundown of the advocacy-related meetings taking place in Seattle. The best part? All the meetings listed below are open and included in your conference registration.
Start off your Saturday with Breaking Down the Barriers to Advocacy for School Libraries.Part of the Symposium on the Future of Libraries, attendees can join ALA Policy Corps for a conversation surrounding political advocacy for school librarians. Attendees will also learn how to connect with local legislators and break down barriers that stand in the way of effective advocacy efforts.
For the first two years of the Trump Administration, librarians have been politically active and energized. But with a new Congress, what happens next? Libraries & Public Policy After the Midterm Elections & the Midpoint of the Administration, presented by the ALA Washington Office, will offer advice from experts about what libraries can expect over the next two years.
Join the ALA Washington Office again on Sunday, January 27th with Library Advocacy and Community Engagement in the 2020 Census.This meeting will help librarians learn how to increase awareness of library services and strengthen community relationships by participating in Complete Count Committees.
On Monday, January 28th, grab your lunch and join library leaders for Advocacy Through Understanding – How the National School Library Standards Help All of Us Advocate for School Libraries, part of the ALA Masters Series. Join AASL President Kathryn Roots Lewis and members of the National School Library Standards editorial board for a deeper dive into the Standards.
Won’t be attending ALA Midwinter this year? You can still brush up on your advocacy skills! Click here to access a recording of ALSC’s Advocacy for Everyone Webinar where you’ll hear from library advocates across the country as they share their case studies of advocating for libraries on the local, state, and national level.
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.