United for Libraries to host webinar on ‘Library Advocacy at the State Level: 12 Steps to Success’

PHILADELPHIA — United for Libraries will present the free webinar “Library Advocacy at the State Level: 12 Steps to Success” from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, April 30.

This webinar will be led by Jeffrey Smith, director of public affairs for Humanim and president of the Foundation for Baltimore County (Md.) Public Library (BCPL). Participants will learn the basics of government/legislative advocacy and understand the 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 will be presented. The webinar is geared toward trustees, friends, foundation members and staff members. This webinar is co-sponsored by ALA’s Office for Library Advocacy.

Jeffrey Smith is a member of the Baltimore County Board of Library Trustees and the Board of Directors of Citizens for Maryland Libraries. He secured two separate $250,000 state appropriations in support of BCPL’s nationally-recognized “Storyville” children’s libraries. He writes a monthly column focused on advocacy and messaging for libraries that appears in Library Journal. Additionally, he writes a biweekly column covering general library issues for Public Libraries Online. He presently serves United for Libraries as division liaison to ASCLA and as a member of the Newsletter & Web Advisory Committee. He also serves on ALA’s Legislation Assembly.

The webinar is free; registration is limited to 100. This webinar will be presented with Internet audio only. You will need a computer with speakers or headphones as well as Internet access. United for Libraries members can access a recording of the webinar after April 30. For more information and to register, visit http://ala.adobeconnect.com/advocacy-state/event/registration.html.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association that supports citizens who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. United for Libraries brings together library Trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information or to join United for Libraries, visit the United for Libraries website or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org.

The Office for Library Advocacy (OLA) supports the efforts of advocates seeking to improve libraries of all types by developing resources, a peer-to-peer advocacy network, and training for advocates at the local, state and national level. In order to achieve this goal, OLA works closely with the Public Information Office, the Chapter Relations Office, the Office for Government Relations, and other ALA units involved in advocacy on behalf of particular types of libraries or particular issues, in order to help better integrate these efforts into the overall advocacy planning and strategies of the association. OLA also works to cultivate future leadership in order to sustain the advocacy efforts of the association.

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