Maximizing the Value of a Rally

To make a real difference for state funding of libraries, you will need to include a statewide grassroots campaign that is either kicked-off by the Rally or that ends with the Rally.   A Rally alone is a terrific media event that can draw attention to your cause, but to influence the decision makers you will need to be sure they hear from a “critical mass” of library users and supporters throughout the state before the final state budget decisions are made with regard to libraries.  Here are ten tried and true methods to generate statewide support for the campaign.

  1. Develop a core group or committee that will manage the campaign.   This committee will set a date for the Rally, develop support materials (see # 5-6 below), and ensure that every city and town in your state is invited to participate in making the case for libraries.
  2. Determine when the campaign should culminate to be the most effective in influencing your state legislators final decision regarding the state library budget.   Determine whether you want to kick-off your campaign with a Rally or to end it with a Rally and begin making plans for this event.  More information on developing a Rally is included in this Toolkit.
  3. Develop a campaign slogan that everyone can use to keep the message consistent.
  4. Develop talking points that everyone throughout the state can use to make the case.   These talking points should focus on outcomes – why state funding matters and what it is used for at the local level (and why that matters).  In other words, instead of saying that state funding provides support for library databases; say that state funding provides support for the electronic resources that help students do their homework, local businesses make wise decisions, and provide research materials for everyone.
  5. Find a contact person for each city and town and be sure they have the tools and encouragement they need to actively promote the campaign at their locations.
  6. Select a strategy (or several) that can engage the grassroots in the campaign for several months prior to the Rally or following the Rally depending on what you decide and in order to match the state legislator’s time frame for decision making.

    Ideas for getting library supporters to make the case to state legislators include:

  • Letter writing campaigns
  • Letter to the editor campaigns
  • Telephone campaigns
  • Large display ads in local papers supporting library funding.   (These can be paid for by local Friends of the Library groups and the money they spend for the ad can be recouped if the ad includes a clip and send membership form for the local Friends group.)
  • Developing radio PSAs for dissemination to libraries across the state.   Local radio stations are often willing to give prominent airtime to these PSAs.

Note: All of these strategies and any others you create with should be framed around the original talking points so that the message is always consistent.

  1. Ask all participating locales to keep track of letters to the editors and other campaign activities at the local level to send to the campaign committee following the final budget decision.
  2. Contact any library vendors in your state who may be willing to join the                  campaign by writing letters or making phone calls to their legislative representatives.
  3. When the state’s final library budget is determined, evaluate the success of your campaign.   Determine what worked well and what didn’t.  Keep a file on your efforts, activities and results for future years.
  4. Congratulate yourselves for a job well done!
 
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