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
Sustain Your Smart Space Efforts
Publish Date: News / 26 January 2021
This resource is part of the Toolkit for Creating Smart Spaces, a toolkit to help you re-envision your library’s place as a center of community learning. All your efforts to collaborate with your community to create a space for participatory...
January 13, Proactive Advocacy and Communication for Library Trustees and Staff
Publish Date: News / 13 January 2021
This webinar explores communication tools and strategies for boards and library staff to be better prepared for unknown changes.
How Teamwork Busts the Three Biggest Myths About Library Advocacy
Publish Date: News / 13 January 2021
Many people associate advocacy with lobbying—a full-time job in which one cultivates personal relationships with lawmakers and officials to make or defend key lines in laws, regulations, budgets, and other decisions.
To many who work in librar....
Advocacy 101: When Advocacy Becomes Second Nature
Publish Date: Webinar / 7 November 2019
A webinar hosted in collaboration with ARSL on the basics of library advocacy and how to integrate advocacy into your everyday and into your community relationships.
Always Be Listening: How Public Libraries are Approaching Community Engagement as a Mindset
Publish Date: News / 27 June 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...
Getting to the Heart of the Community Through Discovery
Publish Date: Webinar / 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.
Take Action: Using and Presenting Research Findings to Make Your Case
Publish Date: Webinar / 3 October 2018
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.
Revitalizing Library Volunteer Engagement
Publish Date: Webinar / 18 September 2018
This webinar explores new trends in library volunteerism and presents practical steps to recruit skilled volunteers to help grow your community of library advocates and supporters.
Getting Unstuck: Help Your Board, Staff, and Town Talk about Library Funding
Publish Date: Webinar / 22 August 2018
A webinar hosted in collaboration with ARSL and EveryLibrary to grow skills for talking about library budgets with staff, boards, and other stakeholders in your community and to secure funding.
From Awareness to Funding: 5 Probable Supporters and How to Reach Them
Publish Date: News / 16 August 2018
If you work or volunteer in a library, you may have heard about the report, From Awareness to Funding: Voter Perceptions and Support of Public Libraries in 2018. If you haven’t read it, here’s the good news: compared to 2008, more voters ...
