Advocacy

News and Events:

Everyone loves libraries – but we can’t live on love alone! NYS Library Aid funding has dropped dramatically in recent years, and we need your help to convince our legislators that libraries matter.

Advocacy Update: April 2013

Many thanks to everyone who contacted their state representatives on behalf of increased library funding! In this year’s final budget, the Senate secured an additional $4 million in aid to libraries, a 4.9% increase over last year’s levels. This aid will go to help over 7,000 public libraries in New York State!

Links:

FLLS 2013 Public Officials GuidePDF Icon Small
FLLS 2013 Talking Points PDF Icon Small
NYLA: Advocacy Tools
2012 Library Voting GuidePDF Icon Small
Snapshot NY
Quotable Facts About America’s Libraries 2012 PDF Icon Small
History of Library Aid 1990 – 2011/12 PDF Icon Small
History of Library Aid 1990-2012 Chart PDF Icon Small

Why be a Library Advocate?

Libraries are a vital community resource for everyone, everywhere. They offer equal and open access to the resources that communities need, and play an important role in giving everyone a chance to succeed.

During these tough economic times, people need their library more than ever. They rely on the library to provide computer and job training programs, homework assistance, health care information, free education resources, and more. In 82% of rural communities, the public library is the one place where anyone can get free computer and Internet access.

Despite record increases in library usage, our libraries are struggling to meet community demand due to critical funding issues. Recent state library aid cuts have brought our current funding down to a level not seen since the early 1990s. Without adequate support, the library resources that our community members depend upon may disappear. Please help by taking a few minutes to speak up for your library today!

Ways that you can help:

  1. Contact your legislators by email, phone, or mail.
  2. Join FLLS at the yearly Legislative Lobby Day to speak with your officials in person (free transportation provided!).
  3. Stay informed about library issues and what you can do to help by:
    ~  reading talking points,
    ~  becoming a Facebook fan of FLLS,
    ~  signing up for the NYLA Action E-List.
  4. Write letters to the editor.
  5. Promote the value of the library at local government meetings and school board meetings.
  6. Contact your local library about how to get involved. Opportunities might include volunteering your professional skills, shelving books, or joining/starting a local Friends group.
  7. Speak up at every opportunity! Share your concerns with friends, family members and neighbors. Encourage them to become library users if they aren’t already – it’s often the best way to win new supporters.

Links:

Advocacy Toolkits:

Webjunction: Community Relations Resources
Advocacy Training Course: Turning the Page Online (PLA)
ALA: Advocacy University
The Small But Powerful Toolkit to Winning Support for Your Rural Library (ALA)
Advocating for Better Salaries Toolkit PDF Icon Small
Advocacy Glossary

Resources for Promoting Your Library:

ALA’s Calendar of Promotional Opportunities
Add a Library Value Calculator to Your Website
 Add a “Contact Your Officials” Button to Your Website
Find and Contact Local Media

Tips for Collecting Library Stories:

Libraries for Real Life
Collecting Library Stories
Tell the Library Story Toolkit

Library Advocacy Initiatives:

Protect NY Libraries
New Yorkers for Better Libraries
NYLA: Advocacy
ALA: Advocacy and Legislation
ILoveLibraries.org
GeektheLibrary.org
SaveLibraries.org