Advocacy Archives | Page 2 of 43 | American Libraries Magazine

United for Libraries 2021 Virtual Conference

Advocacy through Storytelling

By Tess Wilson | August 23, 2021

Sessions underscored that stories—of individuals, of libraries, of communities—are at the core of library advocacy. “It’s really all about storytelling,” observed Beth Nawalinski, executive director of United for Libraries, during the conference. Representation in collections At “Auditing Diversity in Library Collections,” Sarah Voels, community engagement librarian at Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Public Library (CRPL), described the … Continue reading Advocacy through Storytelling →

Recruit, Retain, and Engage

July 8, 2021

Presenters included Lina Bertinelli, workforce librarian at Enoch Pratt Free Library and the Maryland State Library Resource Center in Baltimore; Madeline Jarvis, adult and information services manager at Marion (Iowa) Public Library; Kathy Kosinski, member services and outreach manager at Califa Group, a consortium of California libraries; and Tess Wilson, community engagement coordinator for the … Continue reading Recruit, Retain, and Engage →

From the President, by Julius C. Jefferson Jr.

Moving Forward

By Julius C. Jefferson Jr. | June 1, 2021

Thanks to all who joined me last summer on the virtual “Holding Space” tour, a conversation series with libraries. I will forever remember you as faithful partners and travel companions as we faced seemingly insurmountable difficulties. Thanks in part to our advocacy, libraries secured federal relief funding of historic proportions. ALA staff and leadership managed … Continue reading Moving Forward →

Making a Difference

By Julius C. Jefferson Jr. | May 3, 2021

I am beginning to see the light at the end of a dark COVID-19 tunnel. Many of us have been vaccinated or will be soon—a critical step toward healing all the communities hit by the global pandemic. Another ray of light came on March 11, when the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed … Continue reading Making a Difference →

What the American Rescue Plan Act Means for Libraries

By Kathi Kromer | March 12, 2021

Of the $200 million for IMLS, $178 million is allocated for the Library Services and Technology Act and will go to state library administrative agencies on a population-based formula. IMLS announced state allotments for ARPA funding in a March 11 press release. Because there is a $2 million state minimum, every state will receive a … Continue reading What the American Rescue Plan Act Means for Libraries →

Deaf actor Linda Bove played Linda the Librarian on Sesame Street for 31 years. Photo illustration: YouTube (screenshot); ©R. Gino Santa Maria/Adobe Stock (television)

By the Numbers: Deaf History and Culture

By Alison Marcotte | March 1, 2021

15 Number of years National Deaf History Month has been celebrated. In 2006, the American Library Association (ALA) and National Association of the Deaf announced the month would be observed March 13–April 15. 1817 Year the first permanent public school for Deaf students in the Western Hemisphere—now known as the American School for the Deaf—was … Continue reading By the Numbers: Deaf History and Culture →

Photo of ALA Executive Director Tracie D. Hall. Text says "From the Executive Director by Tracie D. Hall"

Revolutions Where We Stand

By Tracie D. Hall | March 1, 2021

Those words seem especially prescient now as we look across the country at the libraries that have struggled most during this period of widespread library defunding and service reductions. Though the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue, there has long been an unmistakable correlation between communities that navigate high rates of poverty and those that … Continue reading Revolutions Where We Stand →

Senator Jack Reed Talks Library Advocacy

By Julie Holden | January 23, 2021

The senator spoke candidly about the events of January 6, when rioters stormed the US Capitol. While waiting in a secure location with other lawmakers, Reed recounted, “There was this consensus by every member that we had to go back, that we were not going to, you know, go away for the day, reconvene a … Continue reading Senator Jack Reed Talks Library Advocacy →

ALA Condemns Violence on Capitol Hill, Calls for Advocacy

January 7, 2021

The Executive Board of the American Library Association (ALA) gives thanks for the safety of the staff in our Public Policy and Advocacy Office in Washington and ALA members who work on Capitol Hill, as well as for elected legislators, congressional staff, and other government workers who put themselves in jeopardy to defend the seat … Continue reading ALA Condemns Violence on Capitol Hill, Calls for Advocacy →

A New Year of Hope

By Julius C. Jefferson Jr. | January 4, 2021

Similarly, 2020 made an indelible impression on the history of our country, and it has left us collectively exhausted. Many will remember it as the year we were locked down, Zoomed out, and either lonely or wanting to be alone. We lost loved ones, icons, and champions. We were confronted with furloughs and loss of … Continue reading A New Year of Hope →

A Transition Plan for Library Advocates

By Kathi Kromer | November 13, 2020

Based on campaign pledges, the Biden-Harris administration will be more favorable to education investment and the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. President-Elect Joe Biden’s cabinet selections will likely indicate a significant shift in policy around education, telecommunications, workforce issues, and many other areas. However, the change of leadership in the White House does not … Continue reading A Transition Plan for Library Advocates →

Our Collective Power

By Meredith Farkas | November 2, 2020

However, during this crisis, many library workers are unexpectedly forced to advocate for themselves. Early in the pandemic, Twitter became a vital space for workers seeking advice and support when trying to get their libraries to close or to demand adequate safety measures. I know many library workers who are fierce advocates for their patrons … Continue reading Our Collective Power →

Latest Library Links

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Join ALA President Lessa Kanani‘opua Pelayo-Lozada at 1 p.m. Central on December 15 for “Our Brave Communities: Facing Censorship Head-On with ALA,” a conversation on censorship issues in libraries, related legislation, and how the Association is fighting book banning efforts. Panelists will include Martha Hickson (school librarian at North Hunterdon–Voorhees Regional High School District in Annandale, New Jersey), Brian Raitz (director of Parkersburg and Wood County Public Library in West Virginia), and Lisa Varga (executive director of the Virginia Library Association). Registration is required.

ALA Connect Live Series
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Juliana Kim writes: “When her author event at Pretty Good Books in Ashtabula, Ohio, had low turnout, Chelsea Banning was at her breaking point. ‘I was discouraged and bummed and I felt bad that the bookstore owner opened his store for me,’ she said. Banning tweeted about what happened with the intention of possibly deleting the tweet in a few hours. But that night, instead of taking down what she wrote, she stared at her tweet in shock as a mass of authors, including some of the most renowned novelists in the world, replied with their own experiences of low turnout.”

NPR, Dec. 6
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Lara Ewen writes: “After a year of unprecedented challenges and impressive successes, it’s time to celebrate the resilience of librarians. This holiday season, focus on gifts that highlight goodwill, inclusivity, and the joy of books. We’ve rounded up a list of presents that are fun, thoughtful, and affordable—most items are less than $40. And while you’re shopping, don’t forget to treat yourself, because everyone deserves a little extra kindness these days.”

AL Online, Dec. 7
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Richard Byrne writes: “This week is Computer Science Education Week. I’ve long thought that every student should have some experience with computer science. I was introduced to some computer science concepts when I was in elementary school in the 1980s through the use of Logo, and that experience is still beneficial to me today. If you would like to have your students get a little computer science experience this week, here are some good resources.” Tools include MIT App Inventor, Blackbird, and Scratch.

Free Technology for Teachers, Dec. 7
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Susie Mesure writes: “There is something about churning through books that induces envy and even admiration, never more than at this time of year when piles of finished tomes are splashed across social media. Bragging rights seem to go to those who have read lots of books and read them quickly – how many times have you seen someone boast about finishing 10 books in a year? What about five? But there is power in reading slowly.”

The Guardian, December 2
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Bruce Rosenstein writes: “In my recent guest post for the Wisdom Well blog of the entrepreneur/author Chip Conley, I wrote that he “has intuited that today we need a jolt of awareness that goes beyond knowledge workers (who may be an endangered species due to Artificial Intelligence/AI and other technological advances) to “wisdom workers.” Chip Conley’s latest, Wisdom at Work: The Making of a Modern Elder How to Reinvent the Second Half of Your Career, is included in my list of 55 select books below on longevity and productive aging.”

LLRX, November 29
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Lisa Kanarek writes: “I’ve lost my social skills!’ I texted to a friend while en route to my first in-person conference in four years. I had learned to appreciate the convenience of online learning. Virtual conferences aren’t going away—not everyone is comfortable traveling and spending time in meeting rooms surrounded by strangers. But in-person events are back, and when you’re ready to mingle with those who share a common interest, these tips can help you make the most of the experience.”

Wired, November 30

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