by Kathy Roegge, MLS

Webster’s Online Dictionary defines advocacy as “the action of advocating, pleading for, or supporting a cause or proposal”.  According to the American Library Association (www.ala.org), advocacy is "the process of turning passive support into educated action by stakeholders." In the present economic and political climate being an active and assertive library advocate is crucial to the survival and future development of library service in Illinois. 

In October the Save Illinois Libraries! Campaign ( http://www.saveillinoislibraries.com) was launched during the 2010 Illinois Library Association conference.  The campaign was created in response to a 50% cut of general revenue grants awarded through the General Revenue Fund.  Included in those grants were funds for the per capita grants that help public libraries and schools.  The General Revenue grants also entirely fund the Illinois Library Systems.  As a result of the cut grants to public libraries were cut 16%, schools 3% and System funding was cut 16.5%.  Librarians, trustees and other library supporters were encouraged to send a letter using CapWiz ( http://capwiz.com/ala/il/state/main/?state=IL).

This Wednesday, January 20, Save Illinois Libraries! is asking people to take part in the next stage of the campaign.  They are asking people to come back to the site and send a note to Governor Quinn and Comptroller Hynes letting them know library systems need their funding.   The website also includes a place where people can “tell their story” about the value of library services and links to other sites including the Save Illinois Libraries Facebook page. 

On February 10, 2010 the Illinois Library Association(ILA) http://www.ila.org/index.shtml is encouraging libraries all throughout Illinois to gather statistics, photographs and stories to show legislators the value libraries provide to their community.  They are calling it “Snapshot of a Day in the Life of Your Library”.  Following the example of libraries in New Jersey, Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Maine, Illinois is asking libraries to document a “day in the life" of their library.  The data will be aggregated and will provide powerful statistics and heartfelt stories that demonstrate the positive impact libraries have on  their communities.

ILA is encouraging participants to use the results of "Snapshot Day" to advocate with elected officials, mayors and council members, members of the Illinois General Assembly, members of the school administration or school board, the deans at their respective academic institutions, or your department head or boss at your company.  The results should be published in your local newspapers and newsletters, and shared with your "Friends of the Library" members and other stakeholders.

Some of your best advocates are Friends of the Library, Trustees, volunteers and patrons who use the library.  By including them in your “Snapshot Day” you can make a stronger, more personal case for why libraries are needed in their communities and why library systems are an important part of that service.  Information about February 10 should also be included on your website with links to other sites such as Save Illinois Libraries!  or  CapWiz.   
The Illinois Library Association's Advocacy Committee is currently preparing the questionnaire which will be posted on SurveyMonkey, determining other procedural matters, and preparing copy for posting on our various Web sites.  In the upcoming weeks, more details will be announced.  In the interim, for more information, please contact the ILA Advocacy Committee chair Kathleen McSwain at kmcswain@chicagoridge.lib.il.us.
But what can you do right now?  ILA makes the following recommendations:

• Circle Wednesday, February 10th on your calendar for "Snapshot Day;"
• Alert staff that you will be collecting daily statistics and asking patrons to share their stories about the library on that day;
• Arrange for cameras to be available for taking photos around the library; and
• Watch for the Snapshot Day forms which will be distributed shortly.

For more ideas about library snapshot day check out the new ALA Web site on this topic http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/advocacyuniversity/librarysnapshotday/index.cfm.

Other sources for tips or ideas can be found at the following sites.

• ALA Library Advocacy and Legislation page (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/index.cfm) with links to different sources for legislative and advocacy information.  Included is a link to information about the National Library Advocacy Day to be held in Washington D.C. on June 29, during the ALA Conference.    Links to the “Advocacy University” (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/advocacyuniversity/index.cfm) and the “Quotable Facts about American Libraries, 2010” brochure (http://pla.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ola/quotablefacts/quotablefacts.cfm) can be found here.
• The Library Advocates Handbook (http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ola/libraryadvocateshandbook.pdf  provided by the ALA Office for Library Advocacy (http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ola) 
• Another source for ideas is the brochure “Library Advocacy: Influencing Decision Making” http://www.ila.org/pdf/advocacy.pdf  created by the ILA and ALA.  It was designed to help library advocates be effective in today’s complex political environment. 
• The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Campaign for the World’s Libraries (@your Library) http://www.ifla.org/en/at-your-library uses facts to show the value of libraries and librarians.  It showcases the roles played by public, school, academic and special libraries worldwide.

Imagine what Illinois communities would be like without strong library service.  Or what that library service would be without systems to provide delivery, encourage resource sharing, arrange CE and create joint ventures.  With libraries busier than ever, a strong advocacy program is needed to insure patrons continue to receive quality service.  Using stories and other tools available, libraries and their stakeholders can make a better case for why funding for Illinois libraries and systems need to be restored.   

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Published January 20, 2010 in vol. 4, iss. 2 [View]