Lobbying for Libraries in D.C.: What’s Hot and the Obama Difference

First, I want to say that Emily Sheketoff is one smart lady. We could not have a better advocate for libraries in Washington.

Here are the key nuggets of information I heard.

1. Libraries are the first responders for people needing information.
2. Advocacy is education. I know some of you think advocacy and lobbying are the same, they are not. Think of advocacy as educating the elected official about libraries.
3. When you are an advocate, you are putting a face on a public policy issue.
4. Statistics are nice but not as good as a story. As an example you can say “The library is the only place in your community for 50% of the people to have access to the internet.” But when you tell them, “Residents of my community have to wait two hours to access the library computers.” That is a story that has impact.
5. Prepare before talking to the legislators or their staff. Have key point you want to tell them. Be specific in what you want them to do. Give them specifics if they cut a program this is what people lose. If the library goes away services go away.
6. Always thank them for what they do to support libraries, for their time to talk with you , and tell them you are watching them.

My advice to you is to not be afraid of being an advocate for your library. If you and your board or administrators don’t do it no one else will!!