Advocacy

School librarians must be aggressive advocates for their programs.  This page provides resources to help you promote your program.

ALA/ALA Affiliates’ Resources

Legislative Action Center Keep up-to-date on legislative action that affects libraries!  Scroll to the bottom of the page and sign up for the Action E-List. (added Feb. 20, 2011)

Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit This kit provides a wealth of information and ideas including Talking Points, Making the Case, and Working with Government Officials and Legislators. (added Feb. 20, 2011)

Welcome to the School Library Campaign ALA site

AASL Advocacy Toolkit Tools to assist you with local and state advocacy campaigns.  Check out the 38 page Library Advocates’ Handbook. (updated August 2, 2010)

The Principal’s Manual for the School Library Media Program A two page guide to evaluating a school library media program produced by AASL

ALA’s Grassroots Advocacy Webinars ALA provides a collection of webinars to help you hone your advocacy skills.  (added on December 28, 2010)

Stand Up and Speak Out for Libraries Action Kit An  ALA kit that will help guide you as you begin a library advocacy campaign.  Included are tips for success, ideas to help you define your message, and guides to help you address specific audiences: legislators, decision-makers, the public, and the media. (added on December 28, 2010)

State Organizations’ Resources

School Library Systems Advocacy Toolkit Although created for New York, this site has many suggestions that all library media specialists can use.

Advocacy Toolkit for School Library Media Specialists The Colorado Library Consortium has compiled several resources, arranged by category: Learning to be an Advocate, Usable PowerPoint Presentations, Facts and Stats, Brochures, and Quicktime Video.

California’s Best Seller Campaign for Strong School Libraries This California School Library Association’s site includes several useful sections and forms: The Message, What is a Strong School Library? (identifies 5 components), Identifying “Best Sellers,” “Strong School Libraries Build Strong Students and Lifelong Learners” (a flyer you can access from the home page – scroll down to “Identifying and Inviting ‘Best Sellers'” ), and Research and Other Resources (an annotated list with hyperlinks) found at the bottom of  The Message page.

Massachusetts School Library Association Advocacy Initiatives Excellent collection of resources that can be used by school librarians in all states. (added on August 2, 2010)

Kansas Association of School Librarians:  KASL Advocacy Initiatives Several links including a sample letter to use in lobbying for support. (added on November 21, 2010)

Strong School Libraries Help Students Learn An advocacy toolkit from Ohio’s Leadership for School Libraries that accompanies the School Libraries Making a Difference site

Other Resources

School Libraries Work! The 2008 edition of Scholastic’s Research Foundation Paper

Advocacy: The Teacher Librarian as Advocate This online course offered by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson defines advocacy and provides many links to sites to help you in planning your advocacy program.

Everyday advocacy.  Making a case for libraries is easy with web tools.  Here’s how to get started.  Carolyn Foote shares how to use free Internet resources to advocate for your program. (updated August 2, 2010)

Act4SL Inspired while at AASL in Charlotte in November 2009, Christie Kaaland, Deb Kachel, Deb Logan, and Alice Yucht formed this grassroots organization to campaign for school libraries.  Sara Kelly Johns quickly joined their ranks. “Our aim is to provide a simple process for anyone, anywhere to act on behalf of school libraries.”  Great links and a not-to-be-missed “ReadySetContact” card to print out.