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Advocacy

Survey of NJ Residents about Libraries

Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit
“During tough economic times, people turn to libraries for their incredible array of free resources, from computers to books, DVDs and CDs, for help with a job hunt or health information..." 2008-2009 ALA President Jim Rettig

Fine-Free Toolkit
From the Diversity and Outreach Section. It’s very thorough and is of value to administration and management, trustees, and librarians in general. A few highlights:

  • All libraries that have been fine-free for some time have described the experience as positive.
  • Impacts to budgets are typically small to nonexistent.
  • 20% of libraries have seen an increase in circulation.
  • 38.1% of libraries have seen an increase in library card membership.

The American Library Association has developed several online resources to assist library advocates, including:

  • Frontline Advocacy Toolkit
    Focuses on practical tools to help frontline library staff identify those opportunities to advocate for the value of libraries and their own value on a daily basis.  The toolkits were created by frontline public, school, academic and special librarians with those specific audiences in mind.
  • ALA Washington Office
    Keep current with federal library issues by joining the ALA Washington Office’s Newsline called ALAWON. ALAWON is a free, irregular e-mail publication of the ALA Washington Office.
  • Library Funding
    This database contains short summaries of published news reports about library funding cuts, fundraising and bond issues from around the county. Started in April 2004, this database is updated weekly.
  • Libraries Transform
    Libraries Transform is ALA's new multi-year public awareness campaign. Its ultimate goal is to increase funding support for libraries and advance information policy issues in alignment with ALA advocacy goals.
  • ALA Office for Library Advocacy
    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.