Find My LibraryAdvocacy
Librarians and Patrons are encouraged to share information with their Legislative members. Providing information and sharing your library success stories can have a powerful impact.
National & Local Advocacy Sites
Alabama Library Association - Advocacy
The Alabama Library Association actively supports all libraries and their interests. ALLA advocates for policies and funding that support libraries, librarians, and educational initiatives. We encourage all library supporters to speak out for libraries!
American Library Association - Advocacy, Legislation & Issues
Advocacy Legislation & Issues include the following resources: Advocacy & Public Awareness; Banned & Challenged Books; Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; Federal Legislation; Intellectual Freedom; Literacy; Privacy; Public Policy; State & Local Resources
I Love Libraries-American Library Association
Ilovelibraries.org is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA), designed to keep America informed about what’s happening in today’s libraries. Ilovelibraries.org promotes the value of libraries and librarians, explains key issues affecting libraries, and urges readers to support and take action for their libraries.
Institute of Museum and Library Services - Legislation and Budget
As a federal agency administering discretionary federal programs, IMLS receives its funding through the annual appropriations process. They are one of several independent agencies whose spending limits each year are established in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Public Library Association - Advocacy
Today’s public libraries are consistently being challenged to do more with less—less money, less staff, and less time. It has never been more important for librarians, staff members, trustees, and others with a vested interest in their public libraries, to convey to their communities the value of the library. Advocacy, the process of acting on behalf of the public library to increase public funds and ensure that it has the resources need to be up to date, is critical to the success of libraries.
United for Libraries Advocacy
Trustees play an integral role in advocating for their library. If libraries are to thrive in the 21st century, Trustees must step up and let those who fund them know that communities depend on free and open access to the wide variety of materials and resources an excellent library with excellent funding offers. Friends groups can make the difference between a budget increase and a budget cut for their libraries.
YALSA Advocacy Page
Advocacy and activism is a goal in the association's 2016 - 2018 Strategic Plan. The 2012 PLDS Survey indicated that only 1 in 3 public libraries has a young adult specialist on staff. Recent studies from the NCES indicate that only 79% of secondary schools employ a school librarian. Ongoing advocacy efforts can help ensure that all teens have access to great libraries! Why advocate? Because you are the voice for the teens!
Legislative Sites
Alabama Legislature and ALISON (Alabama Legislative Information Service Online)
The Legislature convenes in regular annual sessions on the first Tuesday in February, except (1) in the first year of the four-year term, when the session will begin on the first Tuesday in March, and (2) in the last year of a four-year term, when the session will begin on the second Tuesday in January.
Congress.gov
Congress.gov is the official website for U.S. federal legislative information. The site provides access to accurate, timely, and complete legislative information for Members of Congress, legislative agencies, and the public. It is presented by the Library of Congress (LOC) using data from the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Office of the Secretary of the Senate, the Government Publishing Office, Congressional Budget Office, and the LOC's Congressional Research Service.
Advocacy Training & Webinars
52 Ways to Make a Difference – Public Library Advocacy throughout the Year
52 weeks of ideas for advocating for your library.
Advocacy in Action-WebJunction
This section is designed to help you plan and execute a successful library awareness campaign in your local community. Based on the approach devised by OCLC and used by more than 1,800 public libraries as Geek the Library, the Advocacy in Action resources will help you showcase the vital role of the library in your community and educate the public about the critical funding issues libraries face.
Library Value Calculator-ALA
How valuable is your local library? Use this handy Library Value Calculator, created by the Massachusetts Library Association.
Small but Powerful Guide to Winning Big Support for Your Rural Library
The newly-updated Small but Powerful Guide to Winning Big Support for Your Rural Library provides tips and tools you can use from the ALA Committee on Rural, Native and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds, the Association for Rural & Small Libraries and the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services.