EverydayAdvocacy

Wendy Stephens, Ph.D.Jacksonville State University

ALLA -- April 13, 2016

Advocacyevery day every placeevery timeWendy Stephens, Ph.D.

Jacksonville State UniversityALLA -- April 13, 2016

http://tinyurl.com/allaadvocacy

Librarians and authority

Aren’t you advocating by doing your job well?

I didn’t sign up to be a lobbyist ...

The difference between outreach and advocacy

Forefronting the library

Positioning the library in the larger conversation

Staying current

Having a plan

Crafting your pitch

Value-based language

Crafting action-oriented statements shifting the emphasis from the programs or services you provide to the families you affect.

I provide high interest reading material and individualized reader’s advisory for more than a thousand students, many of whom are struggling with generational poverty and don’t have access to print for literacy practice at home.

I ensure that everyone’s iPads are working properly so the teachers can receive immediate feedback on individual student mastery of content area standards, taking advantage of the district’s investment in infrastructure and hardware.

Practical advice for dealing with “the man”

Avoid acronyms and professional jargon

Set up meeting with busy decision-makers well in advance

Plan for limited time, schedule conflicts

Issue invitations

Have a specific “ask”

Offer support for those who help you

Write thank-you notes

For those in youth services, bring kids!

#winning

Special Guest

Sarah Kepple, YALSA Advocacy Planning Chair

skepple@gigalearnit.com

216-245-9620

ALA resources galore

Libraries Transform

Getting outside

Getting outside

Little free book boxes, bookstores, ebooks, the Internet -- love it all