Guide to Building Support for Your Tribal Library

Guide to Building Support for your Tribal Library

A toolkit for getting the support you need from people who are in a position to help you and the library. 

See the 2018 update of this toolkit.

Resources

Our Way Forward: A Strategic Plan for Ontario First Nation Public Libraries
https://olservice.ca/files/docs/Our_Way_Forward.pdf
A 2004 guide for developing and improving First Nation public libraries.

ALA @ your library® Campaign:
www.ala.org/@yourlibrary
Promotion ideas, sample press materials, downloadable artwork and PSAs, tips and suggestions for National Library Week, Library Card Sign-up Month and more. Free and designed to be customized by your library.

Canadian Association of Public Libraries. Online Toolkit “Library Advocacy Now!”
www.cla.ca/divisions/capl/advocacy/resources.htm 
The cornerstone of this project is the LAN (Library Advocacy Now!) Workbook where you can learn do exercises and gain background knowledge about advocacy.

ALA Office for Literacy & Outreach Services:
www.ala.org/olos
Click on Rural, Native and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds for advocacy, best practices, publications, funding and other resources.

ALA Office for Library Advocacy:
www.ala.org/ola
The Office for Library Advocacy provides tools and publications to help you advocate for your library. Includes information on ALA Presidential advocacy initiatives, including Frontline Fundraising and Frontline Advocacy.

ALA Public Information Office:
www.ala.org/pio
Responsible for national promotions including National Library Week and Library Card Sign-up Month; media relations; public awareness activities for the association. Provides tools and resources for libraries of all types, including sample publicity materials in English and Spanish, a Communications Handbook for Libraries, "Quotable Facts About America's Libraries," an Online Media Relations Toolkit and more.

ALA Washington Office:
www.ala.org/washoff
Check here for information on funding and other national issues of concern to libraries. The Legislative Action Center makes it easy to contact your senators and representatives. Also sign up for ALAWON, a free email newsletter.

The Advocacy Guru:
www.advocacyguru.com
Check out the Resources for articles and tips for advocating at the federal level, though many of the tips can be applied to other elected officials.

American Indian Library Association:
www.ailanet.org
Open to anyone interested in American Indian and Alaska Native library issues. AILA membership gives you access to the association’s electronic discussion group.

ALA Library:
www.ala.org/library
Check here for resources and
assistance in getting information you need.

Association for Library Trustees,  Advocates, Friends and Foundations:
http://www.ala.org/altaff
Information, resources, and tools for trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations.

American Association of School Librarians:
www.ala.org/aasl
Look under Issues & Advocacy for information about the @ yourlibrary® school campaign, an advocacy toolkit and other helpful resources.

Kids! @ your library® Campaign:
www.ala.org/kids
Check out tools, tips and ideas for reaching out to parents and children with the message “So much to see. So much to do @ your library®.” Sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of ALA.

Return on Investment:
http://midhudson.org/admin/eco_impact.htm
One of the easier-to-do formulas for figuring how much money your library saves users. From the Mid-Hudson (N.Y.) Library System.

Small Is Powerful Online Toolkit:
www.ala.org/ruraltoolkit
More tips and tools, including a sample action plan, creating the message, answering hard questions and more.

Public Library Association
www.ala.org/pla
Look under Issues & Advocacy for campaign toolkits and resources for public libraries.

WebJunction:
www.webjunction.org/rural
Click on Rural Advocacy for a wide variety of tools and tips directed at rural libraries.

What’s Your Story? Find it at the library:
http://msl.mt.gov/WhatsYourStory/
A good example of an ongoing marketing campaign to promote the value of libraries. Developed by the Montana State Library.

Check your state library website for more advocacy and marketing information.

Guide to Building Support for Your Tribal Library Home | Previous: Sample Message Sheet and Basic Tools