Advocacy Tools
Recession gives N.J. libraries new mission
Dec 14th
http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2010/12/recession_gives_nj_libraries_n.html
…this new mission is one many libraries and librarians recognize. It’s a rare day that I don’t get job help questions at the ref. desk.
Help! Action requested for LSTA reauthorization
Dec 1st
ALA has asked for calls to our Washington Senators asking for support of two pro-library items that just passed out of committee to the full Senate:
- Senate Bill 3984, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2010. This reauthorizes the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of support for libraries and museums. (Funding is not tied to the vote; that will be addressed when the budget bills reach Congressional debate). The revisions in this bill are worthwhile for libraries.
- The nomination of Susan Hildreth to be the director of IMLS. Urge Senators to support Ms. Hildreth’s nomination in this lame duck session. She has served as California State Librarian and director of several large public libraries, and understands the issues we face nationally.
Please call (202) 224-3121 to voice your support, or use Capwiz to send an online message instead: http://capwiz.com/ala/home/
Public employees, take note: please take action on your own time, using your own resources.
The Visibility & Invisibility of Librarians
Nov 24th
Jamie LaRue (who I am lucky enough to call “boss”) has a new article in LJ. Great read- how can we build $upport and funding if we linger in the background? How can we fulfill the promise of libraries if we hang back, and fail to connect with and join our community?
Redefining the library in the age of Google and Wikipedia
Nov 4th
Today in the International Business Times: “To stay relevant to the changing needs of the people, the library has to reinvent itself. Today the library is no longer a place, but a space – both physical and virtual. People sitting in the library may be surfing for information outside the library, while people sitting outside the library may be accessing information inside the library.” more…
“Cutting librarians cuts out the heart of communities”
Oct 20th
The Seattle Times editorial is here.
California’s School Librarians
Oct 19th
From the OC Register: In California, as we plod through this not-so-great recession, there are two kinds of education-related cost cuts in play – the sexy kind and the not-so-sexy kind.
Any reduction in spending that might crank up the number of kids in a third-grade classroom, for example, is easy for parents and other tax payers to understand. Same for cuts that wipe out arts classes or PE or, the latest craze, several school days a year.
Teacher Librarian Marie Slim dresses the part of “rock star” during her “Read Like a Rock Star” 2009 book fair at Troy High School to raise funds for new books.
All those cuts, popular or not, attract attention and debate. In short, they’re sexy.
But farther down on the radar is another kind of cost cutting – the one that wipes out the often stereotyped resource known as the school librarian.
We all know the images of the school librarian. She shushes. She shelves. She sits, quietly, behind a desk. Dewey Decimal anyone?
Not sexy.
But head into Orange County’s school libraries and you’ll discover what [this OC Register reporter] found: passionate, dedicated, tech-savvy teacher librarians.
My Elevator Speech
Oct 14th
So you meet someone new, and they say, “What do you do?”
I could start by saying, “I’m a public librarian.” But let’s be honest, that simple statement could be tainted by the myriad of perceptions and preconceptions the other person uses to color their own reality (and after all, we know there are a host of stereotypes out there about librarians). First impressions last, and I want to shape and frame this one-time opportunity.
So here’s my ten-second elevator speech:
“I help people change their lives, connect with their community, and boost their local economy, while enjoying the present and preparing for the future. I do this without a charge, because you have already paid for my services.”
Chances are, they will say, “Wow. Tell me more.”
And that’s my golden chance to tell them all about the wonders of public libraries, which can be summed up (and expanded upon) with four simple messages:
1. Libraries change lives.
2. Libraries build community.
3. Libraries mean business.
4. Libraries are a smart investment.
See also:
http://bhagcolorado.blogspot.com/
OCLC’s From Awareness to Funding
#savelibraries
#CObhag
School Library Grant Opportunity for CA, NV & NY
Oct 13th
(GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) — City National Bank today announced that it is now accepting applications for grants to support literacy-based projects at public and private elementary, middle and high schools in California, Nevada and New York.
Educators interested in applying for a literacy grant can access an online application by visiting www.readingisthewayup.org/literacy.asp. Any full-time teacher, librarian or administrator at schools in counties where City National has offices is eligible to apply. California counties include Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Ventura. The Nevada counties are Carson City, Clark, Douglas and Washoe.
Approximately 100 grants totaling up to $75,000 may be awarded. Grants will provide up to $500 for the recipients to create, augment or expand literacy projects that are judged to be creative and engaging, and that may help improve student achievement.
More details here.
How Libraries Are Managing…A Few Ideas
Oct 13th
Libraries across the country are struggling to remain relevant and productive in an increasingly digital society. Stanford University has decreased their engineering library by 85 percent, with the majority of books now available to students online. The D.C. Public Library offers downloadable versions of books, audiobooks, music, and videos via OverDrive. And the New York Public Library recently ran a promotion rewarding loyal patrons who check in using Foursquare — the first person to reach 25 check-ins was rewarded with NYPL schwag.
Other libraries have simply struggled to stay afloat following drastic budget cuts. In March, the Charlotte Mecklenberg Library Board of Trustees voted to close 12 branches and lay off nearly 150 employees. Eventually a compromise was reached to keep the branches open, but hours of operation and staff salaries were slashed. In Jersey City, N.J., three branches that were slated to close last week have managed to hold on a bit longer, though they’re basically on life support.
A handful of ailing libraries nationwide have even turned to private firms like Library Systems & Services to help with running their operations — a hugely controversial move among library loyalists.
Here in the Lowcountry (SC) hours have been chopped and nearly 20 percent of the staff positions are vacant thanks to a budget shortfall totaling over $700,000. Charleston City Paper
Online library advocacy
Oct 2nd
More wise words from Andy @ Agnostic, Maybe.
My advice is a reiteration: frequent reminders are at the heart of organizing. Use all your tools to connect with supporters and possible supporters (don’t get swept up by the naysayers, they only drag you down & waste your time). Social media is one tool, but it shouldn’t be the only implement of persuasion in your organizational arsenal.
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