Advocacy
Being able to demonstrate the impact your library is having on the community can convince decision makers, funders and voters to support your library. Find resources to help gather evidence, use data, and tell the stories that demonstrate the value of the library and show the return on investment it brings to the community. Learn how to amplify your library's value so that you may continue to make a difference in people's lives.
Explore the Advocacy in Action section to learn more about the vital role of public libraries and how to educate the public about the critical funding issues many libraries face. Materials, resources and support are available to libraries who want to engage the support of local community members through fun and innovative campaigns.
Self-paced courses and webinar recordings on this topic are freely available in the WebJunction Course Catalog.
Most Recently Added
IMLS Survey Report: Public Libraries in FY2012
News / Last Modified: 21 August 2019
This week, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) released the report for the Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2012, an analysis of the most comprehensive annual data collection of U.S. public library statistics....
IMLS FY 2013 Public Libraries Survey Reveals Increase in Participation
News / Last Modified: 21 August 2019
This week the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) released the report Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2013, which found shifts in Americans' interaction with public library materials, programs and services. <...
Community Engagement as a Mindset
Webinar / Last Modified: 05 August 2019
Hear from three library leaders who are redefining community engagement.
Always Be Listening: How Public Libraries are Approaching Community Engagement as a Mindset
News / Last Modified: 16 July 2019
ALA Annual is always overflowing with sessions to help library staff take a step back and think about their libraries, services, and approach to their communities. This year was no exception, and there were many stand-out sessions dedicated to rethin...
Great Ideas for Innovative Community Engagement
News / Last Modified: 26 June 2019
A recent Huffington Post article tells of a Facebook experiment that spawned over 150 community-generated ideas on the future of Miami's libraries. Rebecca Fishman Lipsey and Francine Madera, in 100 Great Ideas for the Future of Libraries -- A Ne...
Engaged Planning: Ask What You Can Do For Your Rural Community
Webinar / Last Modified: 26 June 2019
A webinar presented in collaboration with ARSL outlining the steps of an engaged planning process, to align library capabilities with community needs and aspirations.
Getting to the Heart of the Community Through Discovery
Webinar / Last Modified: 11 June 2019
This webinar presents tools, methodologies and strategies that can be used to gather input and uncover the heart and aspirations of your community.
Voter Perceptions of Libraries: Getting From Awareness to Funding in 2018
Webinar / Last Modified: 02 May 2019
A webinar presenting the results of a new study investigating voter perceptions and support for public libraries, with comparisons to similar research conducted 10 years ago.
Take Action: Using and Presenting Research Findings to Make Your Case
Webinar / Last Modified: 17 January 2019
Part three of a three-part series on evaluating and sharing your library's impact, focused on presenting data to make the case for how your library plays a critical role in your community.
The Engaged and Embedded Library
News / Last Modified: 19 December 2018
Civic engagement is not a new concept for libraries, which have long been active community hubs. However, in this age of library transformation, it is time to escalate the scale of community engagement. On one level, it is survival; it is also the na...
