United for Libraries Advocacy Resources

FREE Webinar: Anatomy of a Successful Library Campaign: Real World Tips for Getting the Funding You Need

In celebration of the ninth annual National Friends of Libraries Week, United for Libraries recorded a webinar with Libby Post of Communication Services and Doreen Hannon, executive director of the Salem-South Lyon (Mich.) District Library, who discussed the library’s successful millage campaign, developed thanks to a Neal-Schuman grant. Watch the free recording, which runs just over one hour.

Doreen Hannon received a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and a MLIS degree from Wayne State University. She has worked at the Salem-South Lyon District Library (SSLDL) since 1996 and has served as Library Director since 2002. Libby Post, one of United for Libraries' advocacy consultants, has been working with public libraries to pass funding and district initiatives as well as building referendums since 2005. She is the founder of the Library Campaign Training Institute and has a success rate of over 80%. She consulted with Salem-South Lyon Library District and helped the library lay out a successful strategy for their millage campaign utilizing the Citizens-Save-Libraries Power Guide for Successful Advocacy.

FREE Webinar: Library Advocacy at the State Level: 12 Steps to Success

Jeffrey Smith, director of public affairs for Humanim and president of the Foundation for Baltimore County (Md.) Public Library (BCPL) shares the basics of government/legislative advocacy and 12 steps necessary to be an effective advocate for library issues when meeting with key decision makers. Additionally, a case study in successful advocacy for library related funding is presented. The webcast is geared toward Trustees, Friends, Foundation staff members, and library staff members, and is co-sponsored by ALA’s Office for Library Advocacy. View the webcast

Other Resources from United for Libraries

Explore the resources available from United for Libraries to help your Trustees, Friends, and Foundation coordinate advocacy efforts on behalf of your library:

  • The United for Libraries Power Guide for Successful Advocacy, developed through a grant from the Neal-Schuman Foundation, will take the mystery out of advocacy, provide you with an organized step-by-step approach, and allow you to develop a set of strategies that will motivate your community to pressure funders to support the library or in the case of a referendum or a bond issue – to vote “yes.”
     
  • Making Our Voices Heard: Citizens Speak Out for Libraries,:a toolkit available  to United for Libraries personal and group members in the Friends & Foundations Zone or the Trustee Zone.
     
  • 101+ Great Ideas for Libraries and Friends by Sally Gardner Reed and Beth Nawalinski: Currently out of print, this book published by Neal-Schuman includes tips and ideas from Friends groups around the country on a variety of subjects including advocacy and public awareness. Personal and group members of United for Libraries may access this publication in PDF format for FREE in the Friends & Foundations Zone or Trustee Zone.
     
  • Even More Great Ideas for Libraries and Friends by Sally Gardner Reed and Beth Nawalinski: The follow-up to the successful first edition contains all new ideas on advocacy, public awareness, and other issues related to Friends groups and libraries. Personal and group members of United for Libraries may access this publication in the Friends & Foundations Zone or Trustee Zone.
     
  • Public Service Announcements featuring Paula Poundstone: Created in partnership with Friends of Libraries U.S.A., these downloaded public service announcements can be used free of charge by Friends groups and libraries to promote themselves in the community.
     
  • Sample Public Awareness Campaign Materials: Available to United for Libraries personal and group members in the Friends & Foundations Zone or the Trustee Zone, the "It's Time to Thrive" public awareness campaign materials include public service announcements and a flyer for the public.
     
  • The Voice: each bi-monthly issue of United for Libraries' newsletter includes articles and tips on advocacy and public awareness. Members and affiliates can access current and archived copies of the newsletter in the Friends & Foundations Zone or the Trustee Zone commencing with the July 2009 issue. Friends groups and Foundation personal and group members may also access archived copies of News Update (FOLUSA's former newsletter) in the Friends & Foundations Zone while Trustee members and affiliates may access archived copies of The Voice (ALTA's former newsletter) in the Trustee Zone.
     
  • Links to State Resources: See the links to state Friends groups and state resources for Trustees for additional materials and information specific to your state.