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
School Librarians Lead Learning and Transformation
Publish Date: Webinar / 23 May 2023
Join this webinar for an introduction to the School Librarian’s Information Shelf and to learn more from practitioners who have applied transformative practices to their school libraries.
Transforming School Library Practice
Publish Date: News / 2 March 2023
Looking for multimedia resources and tools to spark new ideas and transform your school library? Interested in learning from your peers how to effectively and powerfully communicate the vital work you do to prepare your students for educational and e...
Advocating for the School Library - Transforming School Library Practice
Publish Date: News / 23 February 2023
Craft a compelling impact story using data, testimonials, and strategies.
Toolkit for Creating Smart Spaces
Publish Date: News / 26 January 2021
Libraries have evolved over the past few years to augment their role in providing lifelong learning for their communities. They have shifted from passive to active engagement with community members. They are becoming hubs of collaborative learning, p...
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...
Proactive Advocacy and Communication for Library Trustees and Staff
Publish Date: Webinar / 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.
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.
Community engagement
Where do you go for inspiration? Invigorate your community engagement efforts with advice from library leaders.