PLA Issues and Advocacy
Today’s public libraries are consistently being challenged to do more with less--less money, less staff, and less time. It has never been more important for librarians, staff members, trustees, and others with a vested interest in their public libraries, to convey to their communities the value of the library. Advocacy, the process of acting on behalf of the public library to increase public funds and ensure that it has the resources need to be up to date, is critical to the success of libraries.
Through tools, training, and education, PLA is committed to providing you with information and resources to help you become an even better advocate for your library.
PLA Advocacy Resources
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Libraries Prosper with Passion, Power and Persuasion: A PLA Toolkit for SuccessThis PLA publication, released in 2007, provides guidance for the entire advocacy planning process, including goal setting, audience analysis and identification, message and strategy development, and tactic evaluation and selection. |
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Every Child Ready to ReadPLA, together with the Association for Library Service to Children, have incorporated the latest research in early literacy, into a series of turnkey parent and caregiver workshops that provide public libraries with vital tools to help prepare parents for their critical role as their child's first teacher. |
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Smartest CardThe goal of the Smartest Card Campaign is to make the library card the most valued and used card in every wallet! Promote your library with products featuring the popular Smartest Card logo and tagline. |
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Turning the Page: Building Your Library CommunityIn June 2007, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded PLA a $7.7 million grant to develop and provide a national advocacy training program. The program, branded Turning the Page: Building Your Library Community, is designed to equip librarians and library supporters with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to create community partnerships, build alliances with local and regional decision makers, and ultimately increase funding for their libraries. This training was specifically developed for library systems participating in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Opportunity Online hardware grants program. |
ALA Advocacy Resources | |
ILoveLibraries.org |
This website, developed by ALA, provides news and information, as well as opportunities to become involved in library advocacy. |
ALA Washington Office |
The Washington Office represents ALA in our nation’s capital. In addition to disseminating government news regarding policies that will affect libraries, the Washington Offices also builds partnerships with Washington-based organizations to better advocate on behalf of all libraries in the US. |
ALA Issues and Advocacy |
The ALA Issues and Advocacy web pages offer an assortment of links to information, statistics, news, and resources that will help you shape your advocacy efforts. |
