Advocacy is a year-round commitment. It’s about cultivating relationships that earn the trust of lawmakers, step by step over time. ALA facilitates year-round advocacy, offering all library advocates information on how and when to engage.
Year-Round Advocacy Activities
- Schedule a visit with your legislators’ district staff. It’s a critical way to start or further a relationship with your legislator. Find your legislator’s district office information.
- Introduce yourself to your new and returning members of Congress. Use ALA's action center to send a welcome letter.
- Make sure your legislators know how critical federal funds are and how your library uses them. Contact your legislators in support of IMLS and share information about your IMLS grant. [Use our template letter. 2019 Link Coming Soon!]
- Create a Year-Round Advocacy Plan. Use our 2019 Advocacy Checklist to keep track of your national advocacy activities and customize your own to track your state and local month-to-month plan. Download the 2019 PDF to add with your logo and to-do list!