Useful Links for Useful Links for Frontline AdvocacyFrontline Advocacy

A Third PowerPoint A Third PowerPoint PresentationPresentation

by Caroline Hanby Caroline Han

Pasadena Public LibraryPasadena Public Library

WebsitesWebsites• Advocacy & Legislation: At this site by ALA, visitors will find

everything they need to promote their library.– Advocacy Clearinghouse– Advocacy University

• Frontline Advocacy for Public Libraries: This outline, provided by ALA, teaches viewers what they need to know regarding Frontline Advocacy and how it relates to public libraries.

– Be sure to visit the links to the PDFs sprinkled throughout!

• Camila Alire, ALA President: The creator of Frontline Advocacy has plenty of information and links on her creation.

• I Love Libraries: ALA created this site – an example of how to enact Frontline Advocacy online - for the general public. It provides information for general visitors on how to support their local library.

• @ Your Library: Another ALA-sponsored site that advocates libraries to the general public.

Slide ShowsSlide Shows

• Frontline Advocacy for Libraries: This online, self-paced tutorial instructs a viewer on the basics of advocating on behalf of his or her local library. Includes streaming videos.

• Spring Assembly 2010: Frontline Advocacy: This presentation by Royce Kitts is a good introduction on frontline advocacy for the novice.

• Playing Politics: For those who are squeamish about the idea of “politics” or “schmoozing,” Christine Tobias provides useful advice and tips.

• Library Advocacy Kit: This easy-to-comprehend toolkit by Laurie Boettcher has “easy advocacy tips” and guidance on how to implement and enact an advocacy plan.

VideosVideos• Advocacy on the Frontlines with Dr. Camilia Alire: The 2009-

2010 ALA director talks about the importance - and potential - of frontline advocacy to libraries. Part of “Frontline Advocacy for Libraries.”

• Tour the Library: A presentation by Harper College Library highlights importance of academic libraries. Also part “Frontline Advocacy for Libraries.”

• Stephanie Vance on Advocacy: The creator of AdvocacyGuru.com shares 3 vital and timely tips on effective advocacy for libraries.

• Advocacy On The Frontlines with Rochelle Logan (Part II): The Associate Director of Support Services for the Douglas County Libraries discusses types of advocacy.

• Advocacy On The Frontlines with Hampton Auld (Part II): The director of Durhan County Library talks about training staff in frontline advocacy.

Now that you know everything, it is time to test your knowledge!

“Students make 1.5 billion visits to school library media centers during the school year -- or 5.5 times as many visits to national parks”(Quotable Facts About America's Libraries, 2010, p. 1)

“Public libraries are the number one point of online access for people without internet connections at home, school or work”(Quotable Facts About America's Libraries, 2010, p. 2)

QuestionsQuestions1.1. What is frontline advocacy involves lobbying and What is frontline advocacy involves lobbying and

meeting with legislators: true or false?meeting with legislators: true or false?

2.2. Only employees who work in the public spotlight are Only employees who work in the public spotlight are frontline advocates: true or false?frontline advocates: true or false?

3.3. According to the theory of communication, how many According to the theory of communication, how many people do each person talk to? people do each person talk to?

4.4. Who is a library’s best advocate?Who is a library’s best advocate?

5.5. What was the example offered in the first slideshow’s What was the example offered in the first slideshow’s second video?second video?

6.6. What fruit was featured in Royce Kitt’s slide show?What fruit was featured in Royce Kitt’s slide show?

Questions IIQuestions II7.7. According to Vance, what is (currently) the first According to Vance, what is (currently) the first

and most important point librarians must focus on?and most important point librarians must focus on?

8.8. What is the second point?What is the second point?

9.9. What is the third point?What is the third point?

10.10. Did Rochelle Logan’s initial top-down campaign Did Rochelle Logan’s initial top-down campaign succeed? What about her second grassroots succeed? What about her second grassroots campaign?campaign?

11.11. What is the ideal length of a library message?What is the ideal length of a library message?

12.12. How many books do Americans check out yearly, on How many books do Americans check out yearly, on average?average?

Questions IIIQuestions III

13.13. What are What are notnot 1 of the 6 good excuses that won’t work? 1 of the 6 good excuses that won’t work?a)a) ““I won’t know what to say.”I won’t know what to say.”

b)b) ““I don’t even work with patrons in my job!”I don’t even work with patrons in my job!”

c)c) ““I won’t make any difference anyway.”I won’t make any difference anyway.”

d)d) ““I haven’t undertaken any training or gone over any scripts I haven’t undertaken any training or gone over any scripts yet.”yet.”

e)e) None of the above. None of the above.

14.14. What are What are notnot 1 of the 6 ingredients for success? 1 of the 6 ingredients for success?a)a) Understand your library and its strengths, offers, Understand your library and its strengths, offers, et al.et al.

b)b) Pick the right time and opportunity to advocate.Pick the right time and opportunity to advocate.

c)c) Say “Thank you!” to patrons.Say “Thank you!” to patrons.

d)d) Don’t be shy – be courageous and advocate to everyone you Don’t be shy – be courageous and advocate to everyone you know!know!

e)e) None of the above.None of the above.

AnswersAnswers

1.1. False.False.

2.2. False.False.

3.3. Eight.Eight.

4.4. You!You!

5.5. Interlibrary loans.Interlibrary loans.

6.6. Avocados. Avocados.

Answers IIAnswers II

7.7. The economy.The economy.

8.8. Knowing and acknowledging the current state of Knowing and acknowledging the current state of the economy.the economy.

9.9. Importance of citizen advocacy.Importance of citizen advocacy.

10.10. No, no. No, no.

11.11. 15 words or fewer.15 words or fewer.

12.12. 7.7.

Questions IIIQuestions III

13.13. D.D.

13.13. D.D.

Were you expecting “None of the Were you expecting “None of the above” each time?above” each time?

The EndThe End

Thanks for reading! Be sure Thanks for reading! Be sure to visit Advocacy University to visit Advocacy University

at the ALA website for at the ALA website for reference!reference!