Make the Case for Your Library with a Data-Based Elevator Speech

Resources

http://bit.ly/PLS_data Links to public library statistics reported for the annual

Public Library Survey

http://libraries.pewinternet.org/ Public Library user studies conducted by Pew Internet a

project of the Pew Research Center

Resources

http://bit.ly/XY6UZK WVLC annual, statistical, salary, and other reports

http://bit.ly/ALA_PLFTAS ALA Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2011-

2012

Brainstorming about your Library

What is your library’s “why”?

What are the most important services your library

provides?Choose 1-3

Why are these services important to the community?

What data/statistics do you have in support of these services?

Put numbers in context:2 out of 3 vs. 66%Compare numbers to

something familiarAnnual attendance of WV

public libraries in 2013 could fill …

What examples or anecdotes do you have that show these

services in action?

Thinking About potential Stakeholders

What is a stakeholder?

A stakeholder is any city council member, teacher, board of education member, non-library user, frontline staff, etc.

YOUR community!

How do the stakeholders currently view the library?

What do you want the stakeholders to … Do after talking with you?Think after talking with you?Feel after talking with you?

Which service or services are the most important to the

stakeholders?

What will each stakeholder respond to—

stories, statistics, or a little of both?

How much detail will the stakeholder want or

need?

Draft your Speech

1. Select one of the stakeholders. 2. Pick the service or services you

identified as most important to this stakeholder.

3. Tailor a speech based on the data and stories you came up with that demonstrate this service’s impact on the community—in terms that matter to the stakeholder you’ve chosen.

Taking your Speech to the Community

Pin your speech in a visible spot in your office and work areas.

Re-purpose your speech for use online, in print materials, on display boards, etc.

Brainstorm strategies for additional stakeholders.

Be on the lookout for data and anecdotes. Encourage all library staff in this activity!

Schedule coffee, lunch, etc., with a stakeholder.