Advocacy Training and Events

Continuing education for library advocates strengthens and unifies the library message across library types and geographical locations. ALA offers a broad range of continuing education activities, including those focused on sustaining effective state and local advocacy efforts. 


Trainings and workshops

Advocacy Academy is ALA's foundational advocacy training for all members of the library community. It is offered as a 1/2 day workshop or in 1 hour modules and lays the groundwork for library advocacy around any issue and for any type of library.

Legislative Day workshops or keynote addresses help prepare library advocates to effectively engage with elected officials and advance your organization's legislative agenda; sessions can be tailored to fit the specific priorities of your organization. Customized trainings around a specific issue or campaign are also available.


Webinars

Recent webinars:

Advancing Your Library Agenda After the Elections (Code: +Fp9&Lu4)

The November 2020 elections are just around the corner, and the stakes are high at every level of government. Hundreds of newly elected local, state, and federal officials will be sworn in January 2021, but their work – and yours – starts now. Join ALA’s Public Policy & Advocacy team for a discussion with a panel of thought leaders and advocates on how library workers and advocates can prepare to engage with (re)elected officials and candidates. Using early internet access and adoption as a case study, panelists will discuss how to use the weeks after the election to tell your story and advance your policy priorities, from broadband access to library funding. Learn from their insight and examples on how to set goals, anticipate roadblocks and achieve the greatest ROI for your outreach. Leave with ideas to position your library as a community champion and valued resource for elected officials at all levels of government so that you’re ready to impact public policy discussions no matter who’s in office.

Who Are the People in your Ecosystem? 

ALA's Statewide Ecosystem Task Force has spent the last year working together to create a toolkit for state associations and their partners. The resources are intended to help build an internal set of relationships among all types of libraries and all their leadership/professional organizations for the purpose of strengthening advocacy to a variety of audiences. Hear from individuals who are doing the work within their states to strengthen their ecosystem and get a quick tour of the Task Force’s new toolkit.

Chapter Advocacy Exchanges are opportunities for state association and committee leaders to hear from colleagues about current trends, hot topics, and best practices related to advocacy. Recordings are available for viewing on the Chapter Advocacy Exchange web page.

 


Conference programs and events

Advocacy is always on the agenda at ALA conferences--from Washington Office updates to panel discussions to trainings. Registration for LibLearnX is open!

Here is a sampling of advocacy-related programs at LibLearnX 2023.

 

January 28, 10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
Building Thriving Communities: The Library's Role in Economic Development
MCC 283-285

January 28, 1:40-2:00 p.m.
Building Strong Trustee Relationships during Book Challenges
MCC ShopTalk Area 2 (LLX Marketplace)

January 28, 3:00-4:15 p.m.
Hammer, Vise, Lever: Better Tools, Stronger Advocacy
MCC 291-292

January 28, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Book Bans, Libraries, and the Law: Standing Up to Library Censorship in Louisiana and Beyond
Marriott New Orleans Salon D-E

January 29, 3:00-4:15 p.m.
Leverage Federal Funds to Advance Digital Equity in Your Community
MCC 288-290


For additional information, contact ALA's Public Policy & Advocacy Office, advocacy@ala.org