Why Libraries Matter: Empowering Community Voices

Why Libraries Matter:Empowering Community

VoicesPublic Library Association Conference, March 15, 2012

Molly Raphael, ALA President Dr. Barbara Stripling, Assistant Professor of

Practice, Syracuse University, School of Information Studies

Patty Wong, County Librarian/Archivist, Yolo County (California) Library

Pam Jaskot, Library Consultant for Communications and Outreach, State Library of North Carolina

Marci Merola, Director, ALA Office for Library Advocacy

Today’s Speakers

Expectations for Today Overview Re-Discovering Our Community Empowering Our Community Voices Practical Applications Wrap-Up

Legislative◦ Library administrators◦ Trustees and Friends◦ Grassroots

Frontline◦ Librarians and library support staff

Community

Types of Advocacy

Community Engagement Who is your community and how do you identify

it? What does your community value and prioritize? What services does the library provide to help

the community attain its goals/priorities? How can the library transform to meet these

goals? What messages would motivate your community

• To speak on behalf of libraries?• To take action in advocacy?• To encourage others to join the effort?

Advocacy University Frontline Advocacy The Library Ecosystem Our Authors, Our Advocates Hot issues: Funding, e-book access, others?

What resources does ALA already offer and how do you find them?

Dr. Barbara Stripling, Assistant Professor of Practice, Syracuse University, School of Information Studies

Patty Wong, County Librarian/Archivist, Yolo County Library

Re-Discovering Our Community

Framing the Concept

Aspirational Goals Transforming

Libraries

My Library and Its Community Intersections Community Values and Priorities Taking Action

Re-Discovering Our Community

My Library and Its Community

3. What kinds of “clues” might a visitor pick up that would reveal information about your community and its values, priorities, challenges, and residents?

Intersection of Library & Community

What could the library add for further support?

My Library and Its Community: What is the library doing to support these?

Community Priority

The Library Supports this

by…

My Library & Its Community: Taking Action

Community Group Gap in Service or Communication

What could the library do to fill the gaps?

How can we do it?

Pam Jaskot, Library Consultant for Communications and Outreach, State Library of North Carolina

Empowering Our Community Voices: The Smartest Card Campaign in North Carolina

North Carolina Libraries Empower Community Voices

Presented by Pam Jaskot, State Library of North Carolina, pam.jaskot@ncdcr.gov, 919-807-7421

Kevyn Adams,

Carolina Hurricanes

Beverly Perdue, Governor

Andie MacDowell, Actress

Branford Marsalis, MusicianCathy Smith Bowers, Poet Laureate

Meet Our Rock Star

Favorite Five

Expand your partnerships

Communication Plan

Target your audience

Be flexible

Define your goal

Appreciate your spokesperson

Video Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xQ8ylx5rpI

Marci Merola, Director, ALA Office for Library Advocacy

What’s Next? Practical Applications

What can you do back home? Who will I share these ideas with? Name a community partner.

Practical Applications –For the Library

Who are the players? How can the community organize? Getting their attention Getting them to act Moving forward

Practical Applications –For the Community

For more information, visitwww.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/empoweringvoices

Thank You!