Advocacy:
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:
1) Join us at Advocacy Day in Albany on Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Meet with your legislators in person to discuss library issues! Free transportation provided. Legislators always listen closely to their own constituents, so it is critical that we bring a diverse group of library staff, trustees, and patrons to help us make our case. Please register today! If you have questions or would like more information, contact Kristi Downham at kdownham@flls.org or 607-273-4074, x228.
2) Contact Your Officials
Take a moment now to let your officials know that libraries matter! You can also help promote libraries by putting these buttons on your website:
- Contact Your Officials – Email legislators with the click of a button
- Library Value Calculator– Calculate the value of your library.
- Declaration for the Right to Libraries – Sign this important national petition today!
3) Join the Postcard Campaign and Virtual Advocacy Efforts
Send your legislators postcards to let them know that you need a well-funded library and library system. FLLS provides blank postcards at all member libraries in February, and then delivers these messages in person during our Advocacy Day meetings.
Can’t make it to Advocacy Day? Now you can support your library virtually all year round!
Virtual Advocacy
Photo Release Form (if the photos include faces)
Talking Points and Statistics:
- FLLS Advocacy DayGuide 2018
- FLLS 2018 Talking Points Flyer
- History of Library Aid 1998-2018 Chart
- Quotable Facts About America’s Libraries 2017
- New York’s Public Libraries: How They Stack Up
- NYLA Library Funding vs. Library Circulation
- NYLA 10 FAQ’s About NY Libraries
- Take 5: Speak Out for Libraries
- Time to Thrive: Libraries & Literacy
- Addressing the Digital Divide
- Library Value Calculator
Advocacy Resource List:
Advocacy Toolkits:
- Webjunction: Advocacy In Action
- Free Advocacy Training Course: Turning the Page Online (PLA)
- Advocacy University (ALA)
- The Small But Powerful Toolkit to Winning Support for Your Rural Library (ALA)
- Library Advocate’s Handbook (ALA)
- Advocating for Better Salaries Toolkit
- Advocacy Glossary
- Public Library Campaigns That Made a Difference
- Grassroots Advocacy 101 Handouts (Rebekkah Smith Aldrich)
- Public Library Vote Toolbox, Mid-Hudson Library System
- Citizens-Save-Libraries
- NYLA Advocacy Tools
- Making Your Own Advocacy Plan
- Advocacy Action Plan Workbook
- Become A Better Advocate
- Getting Started As A Library Advocate
- United for Libraries: A Power Guide for Successful Advocacy
- Planning a Referandum? (ALA)
- NYLA’s Everyday Advocacy
Marketing and Promoting Your Library:
- Libraries Are Essential: Resources
- Practical Marketing for Public Libraries Blog
- ALA’s Calendar of Promotional Opportunities
- Add a “Library Value Calculator to Your Website
- Add a “Contact Your Officials” Button to Your Website
- Annual Library Holidays
- Media Relations Handbook, ALA
- Find and Contact Local Media
- LibraryQuotes.org
- Photo Release Form (necessary if you show faces of patrons to promote the library publicly)
- Developing Your Campaign’s Message
- Positioning Your Library As An Essential Service