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Office for Library Advocacy

American Library Association
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2795
Phone: 312.280.2428
Fax: 312.280.3255 
Email: ola@ala.org

Mission

The Office for Library Advocacy (OLA) supports the efforts of advocates seeking to improve libraries of all types by developing resources, a peer-to-peer advocacy network, and training for advocates at the local, state and national level. In order to achieve this goal, OLA works closely with the Public Information Office, the Chapter Relations Office, the Office for Government Relations, and other ALA units involved in advocacy on behalf of particular types of libraries or particular issues, in order to help better integrate these efforts into the overall advocacy planning and strategies of the association. OLA also works to cultivate future leadership in order to sustain the advocacy efforts of the association.

Oversight Groups

  • ALA Committee on Library Advocacy (Standing, Council)
  • Advocacy Training Subcommittee
  • Advocacy Coordinating Group                                                                                                                             

Information on Office for Library Advocacy oversight groups

Sign Up for Library Advocacy Alerts

Subscribe to the Library Advocacy Now! e-mail discussion list. This listserv offers idea-sharing, updates and legislative alerts of special interest to library advocates.

Subscription instructions:

  1. Go to http://lists.ala.org (opens a new window)
  2. Click on “Login” (First time users will need to get a password)
  3. View all lists
  4. Click on ALADNOW
  5. Select “Subscribe”

Staff

Marci Merola
Director
312.280.2431; 800.545.2433, ext. 2431
mmerola@ala.org

Jaclyn Finneke
Communications Specialist
312.280.2428; 800.545.2433, ext. 2428
jfinneke@ala.org

Advocacy University

Advocacy University
Resources, courses and tools to help library advocates make the case at the local level.

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Add It Up

Add It Up
Libraries Make the Difference in Youth Development and Education. Find more information! 

I Love Libraries

I Love Libraires
Visit ALA's website for the public.

www.ilovelibraries.org

Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit

Tough Economy Toolkit
Resources and tools to help make the case for libraries during economic downturn. View the toolkit

Legislative Action Center

LAC

Legislative Action Center
 The LAC features updates on all the important library-related legislation making its way through Congress and  allows you to directly contact your Members of Congress!