Advocacy

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Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit
“During tough economic times, people turn to libraries for their incredible array of free resources, from computers to books, DVDs and CDs, for help with a job hunt or health information..." 2008-2009 ALA President Jim Rettig

The American Library Association has developed several online resources to assist library advocates, including:

• Frontline Advocacy Toolkit

Focuses on practical tools to help frontline library staff identify those opportunities to advocate for the value of libraries and their own value on a daily basis.  The toolkits were created by frontline public, school, academic and special librarians with those specific audiences in mind.

• ALA Washington Office

Keep current with federal library issues by joining the ALA Washington Office’s Newsline called ALAWON. ALAWON is a free, irregular e-mail publication of the ALA Washington Office.

• Library Funding

This database contains short summaries of published news reports about library funding cuts, fundraising and bond issues from around the county. Started in April 2004, this database is updated weekly.

• Libraries Transform

Libraries Transform is ALA's new multi-year public awareness campaign. Its ultimate goal is to increase funding support for libraries and advance information policy issues in alignment with ALA advocacy goals.

• ALA Office for Library Advocacy

The Office for Library Advocacy (OLA) supports the efforts of advocates seeking to improve libraries of all types by developing resources, a peer-to-peer advocacy network, and training for advocates at the local, state and national level.