This document provides guidance for academic librarians on advocating for their libraries. It recommends librarians determine if they need to advocate by assessing if others are making decisions that affect the library. It also suggests librarians identify advocates like administrators, faculty, students and alumni. Additionally, the document offers tips for librarians to improve their library's image, gather usage statistics, and frame advocacy messages in a student-centric way that highlights how the library supports the institution's mission and strategic plan. It also provides advice on preparing for potential budget cuts or threats by doing strategic planning and keeping decision-makers informed of the library's needs.

1. I FOUGHT THE LAW:
Advocacy for academic librarians
Lily Morgan,
Independence Community College Library

2. SELF-DEFENSE 101: “Safety” is an illusion
“Apply a two question test to
determine if you need to advocate:
is someone making decisions that
affect you? If not, could they?
Answering yes to either question means
that you need to make your case”
(Kramer, 2013).

3. PREVENT THE FIGHT: Advocate NOW
• Who should be your advocates?
• Administration (especially your immediate supervisor)
• Faculty & staff
• Marketing, Recruitment, & IR departments
• Governing Boards
• Students!
• Alumni, community members, & more!
• How do you get more advocates?
• Improve your library look & vibe
• Show off with an open house & other events (or at in-service?)
• Incorporate marketing into every transaction (take a lesson from the public libraries!)
• Expand the reach of your marketing
• GATHER USAGE STATS LIKE CRAZY & assess how the library impacts student outcomes- market your results!
• Get out there & schmooze with decision-makers: be positive, genuine, enthusiastic, & full of ideas!

4. MORE ON MARKETING: Frame it right
• Keep the message student-centric
• Talk about the library’s support of the school’s:
• Mission/Vision
• Strategic plan
• Student outcomes
• Talk about how the Library saves $$
• Stats, stats, stats! What stats will really help you show value?
• Talk about what the library needs to improve services
• Ask for input- good ideas can come from anywhere…

5. PREPARE FOR BATTLE: Plan ahead
• What would you do if administration suggested cuts to…
• Space
• Staff
• Resources/Budget funds, etc.?
• Do a SWOT analysis of the library & make a plan
• How can you use principles of negotiation & persuasion with decision-
makers?
• Who could help you respond to threats effectively & whom would you
approach to advocate on behalf of the library?
• Keep asking for MORE- make sure your administration knows your
needs, & have alternative, smaller “asks” prepared as well

6. IF YOU MUST FIGHT: Be COOL…
• KEEP CALM (at least until you get home)
• Make sure you understand all the details- ask questions!
• Ask for time to respond/think about things
• Talk to your immediate supervisor
• Plan your response VERY carefully
• STAY RESPECTFUL: Remember that egos can be fragile at any level &
avoid causing offence- angry people don’t listen...
• Use a negotiating stance & offer alternative solutions
• Know how far you’re willing to go & when to give up the fight ()

7. OTHER THOUGHTS/QUESTIONS: ?
• Rethink your current stats and assessment- make
sure you’re assessing and addressing what the college
finds valuable, not just “doing what we’ve always done”
• Find/know what your peer institutions are doing-
can you use these comparisons to your advantage?
• How can you embed yourself/library services more
into college life, particularly with faculty & instruction?
Increase the Library’s presence in online classes?
• Think about possible partnerships with other college departments-
how could you work together to cross promote/share services?
Consider “roving” services in other departments like Tutoring?

8. REFERENCES- And recommended reading
• Kirchner, T. (1999). Advocacy 101 for academic librarians. College &
Research Libraries News, 60(10), 844.
• Kramer, J. (2013, March 13). Why Advocate for Libraries? | Advocate’s
Corner. Retrieved May 26, 2015, from
http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2013/03/opinion/advocates-corner/why-
advocate-for-libraries-advocates-corner/#_
• Todaro, J. (2003). The Personal Persuasion: Toolkit advancing the
academic library agenda from the front lines. Association of College
and Research Libraries. Retrieved May 26, 2015, from
http://www.ala.org/acrl/sites/ala.org.acrl/files/content/issues/marke
ting/advocacy_toolkit.pdf
• Other ACRL advocacy documents from their website!

9. IMAGES
• http://www.pubzi.com/Fist-logo-E9SbxnIiHNY.html
• https://www.etsy.com/listing/219019043/youre-awesome-bill-
murray-button-badge
• http://www.shirtsayings.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/I-Am-
Awesome-Close-Up-e1346147344621.jpg
• http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/i-want-to-believe
• http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/lego/images/b/b2/Cmf_business.
jpg/revision/latest?cb=20131106083803
• http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Miss_Piggy%27s_karate_chops