Library Advocacy
MASL/MLA Joint Conference
November 2014
Amanda Kozaka
Library and Instructional Technology Specialist
Cape Elizabeth Middle School, Library & Learning Commons
Walking the Walk.
Talking the Talk.
If you are working hard but no one knows it,
you are not doing an essential part of your job.
Johns, Sara Kelly. Flipping the Switch: Everyday Advocacy for Your School Library Program. 2014.
Library Advocacy is Essential
Advocacy means:
Proactive communication to positively inform and influence community members and decision makers.
proactive communication
positively inform
and influence
community members
and decision makers
Let’s mingle.
… and I’m a … at ...
Create a group with at least two different roles.
You have three minutes.
Word cloud of defining advocacy terms
Word cloud of defining advocacy terms
Word cloud of defining advocacy terms
Word cloud of defining advocacy terms
In your groups, discuss
Which words catch your attention?
How can you combine these words to create advocacy statements?
The Library Brand
“We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are.”
John C. Maxwell
Is this you?
Google image search: librarian
Is this you?
“We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are
if they still perceive us as what we were.”
John C. Maxwell
Me, Just now
proactive communication
positively inform
and influence
community members
and decision makers
Form a group with at least two similar roles.
The Library Brand
Do these words describe you?
What role does this Librarian fulfill?
Which patron needs are met by this Librarian?
The 21st C. Librarian
What do your patrons need?
What are your unique skills?
What does your library provide?
proactive communication
positively inform
and influence
community members
and decision makers
Library Promotion
My frustration with library advocacy
is that too often it does these two things:
1. It starts from the assumption that everyone we're speaking to believes libraries are valuable.
A lot of people don't. Not enough energy goes into building the case that libraries are necessary.
2. So many of the "Save Our Libraries" campaigns make us sound pathetic.
People do not support failure, so if they see libraries as imperiled, drowning institutions rather than assets that deserve strengthening, they're not going to get behind them. Why bail out a sinking ship? Of course, this grows out of assumption #1 above -- it's assumed that libraries are so treasured that people will do anything to save them.
Just my personal opinion.
Susan Mark, Statistics Librarian
Wyoming State Library, 2800 Central Ave., Cheyenne WY 82002
Johnson's 3rd Rule of Advocacy: Never advocate for libraries or the librarian - only for library users.
“The library budget needs to increase.”
“We need support staff to manage circulation.”
“We need comfortable chairs.”
Doug Johnson is the Director of Libraries and Technology for the Mankato Public Schools.
Your vision statement
Your mission statement
Your position statement
What you want to become
What you will do to get there
What you know
Your Library Position Statement
Your Library Vision Statement
Envision your ideal library.
Describe the environment.
Who are your patrons? How are they using the library space?
What can they achieve in this library?
Toor, Ruth, and Hilda K. Weisburg. Being Indispensable a School Librarian's Guide to Becoming an Invaluable Leader. Chicago: American Library Association, 2011. Print.
Your Library Mission Statement
Defines your purpose and objectives. |
Describes the broad goals of your organization. |
Reflects the values of the community. |
Addresses the needs of the library patrons. |
Our position informs our decisions.
Our actions are guided by our vision.
Our work is focused on our mission.
proactive communication
positively inform
and influence
community members
and decision makers
Your professional network
Learn more, do more!
Professional memberships
Workshops & Conferences
Learning Networks
Mentoring
Scholarships
Coursework & Contact Hours
Walking the Walk.
Talking the Talk.
End of Part 1
Thank you!
Library Advocacy
MASL/MLA Joint Conference
November 2014
Amanda Kozaka
Library and Instructional Technology Specialist
Cape Elizabeth Middle School, Library & Learning Commons
Library Advocacy is Essential
Advocacy means:
Proactive communication to positively inform and influence community members and decision makers.
proactive communication
positively inform
and influence
community members
and decision makers
Walking the Walk.
Talking the Talk.
Join the survey at kahoot.it
Create a buzz about your library program.
Your Library Tagline
The Elevator Speech
The Elevator Speech
The Elevator Speech
Use powerful words:
ENSURE
PROMOTE
MAXIMIZE/OPTIMIZE
EMPOWER
ENRICH
The Elevator Speech
ENSURE
PROMOTE
MAXIMIZE/OPTIMIZE
EMPOWER
ENRICH
"Why do you love your library?" is NOT Community Engagement: Better Questions to Ask During National Library Week
Shelf Check: http://shelfcheck.blogspot.com
Infograph with care
Infograph with care
Infograph with care
Create your own infographics
Talking the Talk.
End of Part 2
Thank you!