The ALA President's Award for Advocacy, awarded each year to a statewide advocacy campaign, was developed by and is sponsored by United for Libraries. This annual award carries with it a $1,000 grant for the development of a program or programs for Friends and Trustees at the state library association conference.
The winning advocacy campaign must:
-
Be conducted statewide.
-
Result in either an increase in state funding for libraries, or a decrease or elimination of a proposed
reduction in state funding for libraries. -
Show significant participation by citizens in making the case for libraries.
-
Include the following supporting documents: a one- to two-page description of the statewide advocacy effort, including the specific goal of the campaign, who led the campaign, how citizens were involved, the avenues employed to make the case (i.e. emails, phone calls, letters, petitions, postcards, public service announcements, visits to legislators), the approximate number of citizens and librarians involved, and the results; newspaper clippings and other public recognition; materials used in the campaign.
For more information on taking action for libraries in your state using Capwiz, visit http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/cro/legislationandadvocacy/takeactionlibraries.cfm.