In this column, I talk a lot to encourage you to go talk to legislators, principals, stakeholders – everyone who could join in to help libraries. Go do that!!

But if you are new to advocacy, it’s hard to know what to say. Where should you start? What’s the best direction to go?

First: Don’t worry. Spreading the message about the value of libraries is the mission; specific wording is great to achieve, but not a disaster if all you manage to get out is “Libraries are so cool!”

Library advocacy, written or spoken, is pretty easy.

• Think about what you want to say
  • what’s cool in your library? did you have a good patron experience? do you have a new tech? is your dictionary collection pretty impressive?
  • sometimes it’s specific: we need this grant, we need money for this project, we need support to make this program happen
• Identify a stakeholder
  • this can be individuals or groups: elected officials, community groups, administration of your library’s parent organization, your Friends group
• Hone your message so it connects with her interests
  • tell people about the stuff interesting to them; they aren’t going to necessarily going to care about everything you do, so talk about the things that specific person/group wants
• Say it!
  • this is the most important part! say things!! don’t worry about making it perfect, it’s more important to say something than to just wallow in whatever your stakeholder might decide to do without your input!!
  • practice! keep your message concise – get out 30 to 60 seconds of material that makes your point, and be done
• Follow up: does she have questions? need more info? super excited and wanting to give you vast sums of money????
  • too many people forget this, and it matters a lot to people who may be asked for things all the time. say thanks while you are there!

 

And of course, library advocacy people will not leave you alone, trying to figure out what you need to say! (We’re library people! We’re nice!)

You can browse this site for Minnesota Library Advocacy, and get all kinds of cool info. You will find all kinds of useful information to help you know what to say.

I especially like it the videos they created, that show you just what you can do when talking to a legislator – or any other stakeholder!

 

The most important advocacy work you can do is to just do it. Just say something.

Don’t wait around for someone else.

Don’t be too scared to speak up.

This isn’t going to be a big, brave confrontation – people will want to hear from you!

Literally, just talk with someone, send an email, write a postcard – whatever you want.