Statewide Efforts
Telling Stories for Legislators
May 4th
Nancy Dowd has a great post up about story-inspired library advocacy here.
Colorado Library Lobby Day: Libraries Mean Business
Apr 14th
I am at the Colorado State Capitol today (lunch break!), with scores of other librarians and library lovers. We are pointedly not asking for money today. Instead, we are talking about how “libraries mean business” and help boost local economies. In keeping with Colorado’s BHAG Public Library Advocacy Initiative, we are making the most of storytelling.
JCPL's eTrain
I’ve been focusing on four main talking points, and peppering the conversation with stories from my work in libraries:
- Libraries help build small business. We help folks learn how to start -and sustain- their own business. An example from Douglas County Libraries.
- Libraries help people find jobs and access/learn essential 21st Century technologies. Jefferson County Public Library’s eTrain mobile computer and career training center is parked right in front of the Capitol today, and we’re giving tours.
- Libraries drive traffic to downtown areas. For example, a local Chamber of Commerce study shows that the Philip S. Miller Library is the number one reason people visit downtown Castle Rock. And when they visit, they spend an average of $20 in area businesses.
My boss had some good advice for me today: be shameless. And that’s what I am doing. I love libraries, and I want to make certain they continue to be a part of our lives. If that means approaching strangers to tell stories about libraries, I’ll do it. Libraries are definitely worth it.
Libraries Mean Business Booth, Colorado State Capitol, April 14, 2010
Libraries Mean Business Booth, Colorado State Capitol, April 14, 2010
A Double Whammy for NJ Librarians
Mar 30th
Guest post from Kim, author of Kim’s This ‘n That blog. Post originally appeared on Kim’s blog on March 29, 2010.
As if the Governor’s proposed budget cuts to libraries weren’t enough; Assemblyman John Dimaio has introduced an elimination of the required appropriation for the funding of free municipal libraries. Instead library appropriations would be the amount deemed necessary for the proper maintenance of the library by the municipal governing body. I fear the lawmakers in Trenton do not value libraries.
Libraries are the cornerstones of our towns. They house the past, present and future of our communities. They provide the resources for all of the community to grow and achieve their potential. In these economic hard times Libraries and their resources are needed even more.
While the budget crisis requires cutbacks in all areas, the proposed cuts along with A2555 will cripple municipal libraries across the state.
Please click on the link http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/SelectRep.asp and send an e-mail to your state representatives in the 25th district in support of your library.
New Statewide Groups Added
Mar 29th
Colorado, Connecticut School Librarians, New Jersey, and Ohio have all posted information about Statewide Save Library efforts. Please visit these state’s individual pages to learn more about their situation and how you might be able to help.
If you have a local or statewide Save libraries effort you would like to highlight on this site, please fill out this form.
“Save Our Libraries” Campaigns Around the Country
Mar 26th
Many “Save Our Library” and “Save Our Libraries” websites, Facebook groups, Facebook fan pages, Twitter accounts, and other online presences have been created in response to the growing number of libraries that are facing budget cuts, staffing cuts, and even closure at both the local and the state level. Stephen Abrams asked Wednesday afternoon on Twitter, “Has anyone collected a list of the Save Our Libraries websites and Facebook pages? I think a big central list is needed! Support them all.”
One of the purposes of this site as we get it going, is to do just what Stephen suggested. If your public library, your school library, your state library, your state library association, any other type of library has a web presence of any kind to bring together your library advocates for a save library campaign, please take a couple of minutes to fill out this form. We’ll post your group’s information within 24 hours under the local efforts or statewide efforts pages.
Also, as Lori has mentioned in earlier posts on this site, we are looking for contributors to this site, to write news posts, testimonials, and library stories. Please get in touch with us if you are interested in contributing. Please keep checking back as we continue to build this site.
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