How to Save Your Library
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HOW TO SAVE YOUR LIBRARY Advocating on Multiple Fronts During Economic Crisis
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How to Save Your Library. Advocating on Multiple Fronts During Economic Crisis. April 2011 Budget Scenario of Doom. 14 of 18 branches closed permanently 4 remaining sites open 2-3 days a week 90% of staff laid off We got mad… then we got organized!. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of How to Save Your Library
HOW TO SAVE YOUR
LIBRARY
Advocating on Multiple Fronts During Economic Crisis
April 2011 Budget Scenario of Doom
14 of 18 branches closed permanently 4 remaining sites open 2-3 days a week 90% of staff laid off
We got mad… then we got organized!
Children’s Librarians as Advocates
We have the data connecting children’s literacy and libraries to healthy communities.
Parents are a built-in audience and we have daily contact with them.
We are comfortable performing in front of audiences.
Keep the message simple and inclusive. Example: “SAVE OAKLAND LIBRARIES” NOT “Save Library Jobs,” or “Save East Oakland Branches”
Use a variety of tactics; mix traditional and new methods of outreach
Be FLEXIBLE and prepare for the LONG HAUL Take some breaks & regenerate
Strategies
THE PLAYERS
Library Friends Library Youth Organizations Community Organizations Schools Local Businesses Professional Library Organizations Local Authors Unions Media
OUR METHODS
Branding
Electronic Media
Website: saveoaklandlibrary.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/saveopl Twitter: @SaveOPL Email lists
Author Mac Barnett reads from his book, "Guess Who?"
Events
Protests
Petition Drive18, 000 + signatures collected
City Council
5,511 signatures = 91.85 hours of public comment time @ 1
minute each
$1 spent on library services = $4 - $5 returned to the city
economically
Drama and humor can get the attention of elected officials
Support from the Schools
Reach parents with your voice atParent/Teacher Meetings
Festivals – School Assemblies
Youth can be strong advocates!
Teens Supporting Libraries
Community Organizations & Places of Worship
Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils Spanish Speaking Unity Council Temples and Churches
Latino / Spanish-Speaking Community “The Fruitvale”
Large Immigrant Population Heavy Library Users Energetic and Passionate Library Advocates Find those persons who can speak and write the
language of your patrons
Bilingual is Best!
Demostración En frente de la Biblioteca
Cesar Chávez NO CIERREN LAS BIBLIOTECAS
Sábado 06/11/2011
A las 1:00 pm.
Ven a participar en una demostración Nos reuniremos en frente del al
Biblioteca César Chávez y macharemos en la plaza
Demonstration In front of
Cesar Chavez Branch Library NO LIBRARIES CLOSED
SATURDAY 06/11/2011
AT 1:00 PM
Come join us we will gather if front of the César Chavez Branch Library and March to the plaza.
TAKEAWAYS
Know Your Audience
Activate the CommunityUse people’s passions and energy, their
contacts, their professional skills This got us: A website A read-in Media contacts Children’s authors A coffin
Most of all, have fun with it!
Be silly and creative Try things you’ve always wanted to do
Step Up & Advocate!
• Anger & concern, then WISE ACTION; Speaking up – YOU CAN DO IT
• Speak at community groups, school assemblies, places of worship
• Digital Divide still with us• Advocating for the library is always important
whether there’s a crisis or not
Helen Bloch
Oakland Public LibraryLibrarian 2Children's Room125 14th StreetOakland, CA [email protected]
Nina Lindsay
Oakland Public LibrarySupervising LibrarianChildren’s Services125 14th StreetOakland, CA [email protected]
Amy Martin
Oakland Public LibraryLibrarian 2Eastmont Branch7200 Bancroft AveOakland, CA [email protected]
Pete Villaseñor
Oakland Public LibraryBranch ManagerCesar Chavez Branch3301 East 12 St, Suite 271Oakland, CA [email protected]
125 14th Street Oakland CA 94612
510.238.3134http://www.oaklandlibrary.org
https://www.facebook.com/Oaklibrary
