Advocacy of School Libraries

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Advocacy of School Libraries

• Library Media Services
• December 6, 2005
• Laura Alfaro, Librarian Facilitator

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Advocacy Websites

• School Libraries --- Making a Difference
  http//www.schoollibrariesadvocacy.org.uk/welcome.
  asp
• Teachernet School Libraries http//www.teachernet
  .gov.uk/teachingandlearning/resourcematerials/scho
  ollibraries/
• ALA School Library Campaign _at_ your library
  http//www.ala.org/ala/pio/campaign/schoollibrary/
  schoollibrary.htm

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What is Advocacy?

• Advocacy is speaking out and winning influence.
• It is important to be alert to the many
  opportunities for advocacy and to be prepared and
  confident to Speak Out!

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What Advocacy Can Do For You

• Advocacy is a powerful tool for school libraries.
  It helps us gain
• Status amongst conflicting and competing
  priorities
• Funding
• Partners who appreciate our importance and
• Recognition of the role libraries and librarians
  can play in raising achievement .

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How To Use The Advocacy Document as a
Self-Empowerment Strategy

• To mount an effective advocacy campaign you must
  have an action plan with a clear goal.
• Identify the target audience you wish to
  influence
• Define your key message Focus on whole document
  or one or more issues
• Select the most appropriate strategy to gain the
  respect of your audience and enable you to get
  the message across
• Collect evidence to support your message
  National evidence and local evidence arguments
• Make time to assess the progress/impact of your
  campaign

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Advocacy Toolkit from School Libraries Making a
Difference