The Library A to Z project created an illustrated alphabet highlighting the continued value of libraries. It was launched through a Kickstarter campaign to fund the production of a book, cards, and posters showing the services libraries provide under each letter. The materials were distributed widely and are freely available online to advocate for libraries. The project highlights libraries' role in providing access to information, education, entertainment and supporting communities. It has been successful in promoting libraries to the public and influencing stakeholders since its 2014 launch.

1. The Library A to Z:
an advocacy project
Gary Green
Voices for the Library &
Digital Services Lead, Surrey Libraries.
CILIP in Scotland 2016

2. What is the Library A to Z?
• Visual A to Z of library services
• Advocacy & promotional material
• Highlights continued value of libraries

3. Address comments such as…
• What’s the point of libraries, when:
• you can just Google stuff?
• books are so cheap to buy from
Amazon?
• we could give everyone in the
country an e-reader instead?

4. Evolution of the A to Z
• Library Camp East [Sept 2013]
• Library Camp, Birmingham [Nov 2013]
• Kickstarter [April/May 2014] - raised £4,500
• Launch [Nov 2014]

5. The Kickstarter
• An online fundraising drive
• Stated our aims & goals
• Asked for pledges via many networks
• Gave people rewards for funding it
• Kept people informed of progress

6. What did the Kickstarter fund?
• Full colour alphabet of illustrations
• Production of book & other materials
• All materials free for anyone to use
• Distributed packs to 100+ key influencers & 30
media & press organisations

7. Organising the project
• Setup Kickstarter
• Find illustrator
• Decide on physical materials to produce & how
• Promotion of Kickstarter
• Produce written content for book and cards
• Decision makers, media, supporters to target?
• Setup website (place to download materials)

8. E is for Example
Ebook readers; ebooks; education; email (access to);
employability; enquiry service; entertainment; equality;
escape; events; everyone (is welcome); exciting; exhibitions;
expression.
A year or two ago I was visiting one of our housebound
readers; an 84 year old, she told me how the library service had
saved her life. My colleagues had given her access to a laptop
and taught her to use the internet and email. When her
daughter died, she had the means to keep in touch with all her
family wherever they lived and that was critical in helping her
cope with the loss.

9. Launching the A to Z
• Big social media & mailing list push
• Sent 100+ packs to key library influencers
• Sent 30+ packs to media & press
• Benefits of physical & online launch
• Speak Up For Libraries conference

10. Materials available
• Illustrations by Josh Filhol
• Book (print & e-book)
• Greetings cards
• Editable posters
• Original A to Z list
• All freely available at http://libraryatoz.org/

11. Who else played a part?
• Original contributors to A to Z list
• Kickstarter backers
• Supporters of fund-raising drive
• A to Z book & material content
• Supporters of launch
• Those who continue to use A to Z materials

12. Since the launch
• Initial aim met - fund materials & use
• Materials for anyone to build on & develop
• Re-use under a C.C. license – can adapt
• Use so far includes:
• Social media promotions
• Promos in libraries
• Advocated to politicians & stakeholders
• A Blue Peter badge!
• April A to Z challenge

13. Other advocates
• Organisations with library focus
• Organisations with wider focus
• Library supporters & campaigners
• Library A to Z - part of a bigger picture

14. 2016+
• Free materials still available
• Updated some materials
• More funding to distribute materials
• Illustrations used in new ways

15. The Library A to Z:
an advocacy project
Thank you
Website: http://libraryatoz.org/
CILIP in Scotland 2016