This document discusses library advocacy and who should be responsible for advocating for libraries. It emphasizes that advocacy is important at the federal, state, and local levels to raise awareness of libraries' value and secure necessary funding and support. While organizations like ALA and library associations advocate at higher levels, the document stresses that every library staff member and user should see themselves as advocates and work to articulate their library's importance to stakeholders. A variety of advocacy strategies are presented, but the overriding message is that advocacy is important and everyone should play a role.

1. Library Advocacy Whose Job Is It Anyway?MILE May 2011Michael Scott, SELS/SELCOMLA Legislative Chair Ann Walker Smalley, MetronetMEMO Legislative Co-chair

2. What is Advocacy?“Active support of a cause or course of action.”

3. vs. Lobbying“Lobbying is the intention of influencing decisions made by legislators and government officials.” A lobbyist is a person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest. A regulated activity.

4. Why Advocate for Libraries?Make the case about the value of all types of librariesBuild community support for librariesStay in front of funders, users, othersAvoid a crisis because no one knows your valueNo one else is going to do itOther reasons?

5. FederalStateLocalAdvocate in the right venue

6. US CapitolSenator Amy KlobucharSenator Al FrankenCongressional RepresentativesFirst District-Tim Walz

7. Second District-John Kline

8. Third District-Erick Paulsen

9. Fourth District- Betty McCollum

10. Fifth District-Keith Ellison

11. Sixth District-Michele Bachmann

12. Seventh District-Colin Peterson

13. Eighth District-Chip CravaakFederal Legislative IssuesWho Lobbies for LibrariesIMLSLSTAESEACopyrightNet NeutralityPatriot Act/PrivacyMoreALA Washington OfficeNational Library Legislative Day-May 10You via calls, letters, emailsNational Library Issues

14. Minnesota State Capitolhttp://www.leg.state.mn.us/

15. How many members are in the Minnesota House of Representatives?134

16. IssuesMore IssuesFunding for library systemsMulticounty MultitypeRegional Public Library System Support (RBLSS)Minitex/ELM/MnLink/MDL

17. Telecommunications Library Legacy FundingLibrary Accessibility & Improvement GrantsLibrary Maintenance of EffortIssues they ariseFilteringIntellectual FreedomState Level Library Advocacy

18. Elaine Keefe, Capitol Hill AssociatesMLA/MEMO LobbyistWho is this woman and why is she important?

19. Library directorsLibrary staffFriendsBoardsMLA/MEMOMultitype DirectorsRPLS DirectorsYouCallsEmailsLettersVisitsWho Advocates for State Issues?

20. Local Libraries

21. Some Issues Who AdvocatesLibrary FundingCityCountySchool DistrictAcademic AdministrationLibrary BuildingsPrivacyIntellectual FreedomLibrary DirectorLibrary BoardLibrary usersFriendsStudents, faculty,staffLocal Library Advocacy

22. Maintenance of effortWhat is MOE?

23. Types of Advocacy

24. Direct AdvocacyPositioning the library within the city/county, college/university, or school/school district

25. Focus on legislators/elected officials/decision-makers Frontline/Day-to-Day AdvocacyEvery library staff person is a frontline advocateArticulate the value of their respective libraries and their value to their communities.Improve the quality of resources and services in their library environment.

26. We allmust advocate for the value of our libraries Allof usmust also be able to articulate our value as library employees Who’s Job Is It?

27. Library usersFaculty, staff, teachers…FamilyFriendsCommunityeveryoneYou are the face of the library

28. We can help

29. Keeping Uphttp://mnlibraryassociation.org/advocacy-legislation/

30. The listsrv for keeping up with Minnesota Library LegislationWhat is MnLibLegBonusWho knows what the latest message said?

31. Learninghttp://mnlibsadvocates.blogspot.com/

32. Speaker of the Minnesota House of RepresentativesWho is Kurt Zellers?

33. Taking Parthttp://mnlibraryassociation.org/committees-subunits/legislative-committee/

34. In the House?Do you know who represents you?In the Senate?

35. Empowering Yourself as an Advocate Create your message

36. Match the message with the venues and delivery methods

37. Create scripts and/or “cheat sheets”

38. PracticeDay-to-Day Know your library’s issuesKnow what you can say about the issues—Know your opportunitiesKnow your patrons!Respond and follow-up with patrons’ interestLearn to tell your story

39. Prepare to Meet a Powerbroker Make appointmentDefine meeting goalsHave a lead spokespersonDetermine the messageHave data that supports your messagePrepare information packet

40. At the MeetingIntroduce those presentHave spokesperson provide brief summary of why you are hereExplain your library messageAsk powerbroker to share their views & willingness to helpQ &A

41. Who are these people?And what are they doing?Rep. Jim Davnie & his constituent jenny sippel on Legislative Day 2011

42. After the MeetingProvide any promised follow-upWrite thank you notesThanks are important. It is not always about asking!

43. Other Ways to Advocate LettersCallsEmailsInvitations to library events

44. The key is to Do It AndDo It OftenYou know this

45. Michelle L. FischbachWho is President of the Minnesota Senate?

46. Weak Excuses“My library (public, school, college/university, special) doesn’t allow me to lobby.”“I’m shy.”“I don’t know what to say.”