CPD23 Thing 16

On Being a Library Advocate

It is very hard to be an effective advocate for libraries. Most librarians and library staff are pretty happy to tell others about what we do and the services we have to offer. I know that I have often embarrassed my family by chatting about our databases when talking with others. Databases are one of the most underused library resources and so hard to get people to use but they can be so valuable.

However, we cannot just promote library services to people. No matter how great they are. The existence of libraries all over is threatened. Many question whether we need them. Those of us who work in libraries need to determine for ourselves how important the library is and whether we are willing to speak up and be heard.

We can participate in activities such as writing letters or email messages and sending them to federal, state and city officials. In Nebraska we have a Legislative Day where library staff are encouraged to take their local senators to lunch and educate them about the library. There is also a national legislative day and action that can be taken on that level.

We can go to the city council hearings and speak up. We can encourage our patrons to go to those hearings, tell their stories, and write their representatives.  We can encourage them to join Friends of  the Library groups and encourage those groups to be advocates. We have to be willing to put ourselves out there and encourage others to do the same.