From Education to Action

Tuesday, October 27
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

You have a unique and deeply-rooted interest within the field of librarianship but how do you utilize your expertise and personal experience to assist in an advocacy campaign?In this session, we’ll review the Audience Engagement Roadmap, learn how to craft impactful messaging and explore the mediums and tools available to advocates at every level.

Attendees will have the opportunity to draft their own stories and share them with others.

Presenter:  Briana McNamee, Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for the New York Library Association

Building People’s Self Advocacy Skills: An Introduction to the Right Question Strategy

Tuesday, November 24
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Led by representatives of the Right Question Institute (RQI), this session will ask library workers to decide for themselves the need to be involved in advocacy work.

Any library worker – from a Director with a Masters to the library clerk or volunteer – needs to feel their work is valuable and critical to their communities before they can expect others to understand and appreciate the library experience.

Libraries are foundational to a healthy community. We will use the Question Formulation Technique to explore the role of the library and library workers in making libraries flourishing and well-resourced public spaces.

Presenter: Luz Santana (She/Hers), Co-Director of the Right Question Institute  & Yeja Dunn (They/Them)

The Legislature & Libraries

Tuesday, December 15
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Successful advocacy at the New York State Capitol requires community involvement and support from the legislature.

The general election is now in our rear view mirror and we are speeding ahead to the next two-year legislative session. Members from the Senate and Assembly will join us to discuss the 2020 Session, their roles within their respective houses, priorities and, the year ahead.

Presenters: TBD

Empowerment through Self Advocacy

Tuesday, January 19
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Advocacy means fighting for the self, too. As women have cracked the glass ceiling and climbed the ladder in the working world, stereotypes about their behavior have increased. Women attempt to assert themselves when faced with challenges, yet assertive women are viewed as aggressive, mean, or bossy. Historically, librarianship has been regarded as “women’s work” and women dominate the field. However, library administrative roles are often held by men. How might women in the library world advocate for themselves and ascend these roles? Be inspired by these three women who overcame challenges in the workplace.

Presenter: TBD

Growing Genuine Community Support (Budget)

Tuesday, February 16
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Local libraries are funded with local funds. This statement might seem obvious to library advocates, but it is a mystery to many local officials and residents. Community members who are charged with funding libraries, or who influence local decision-making will exercise good choices on behalf of their communities when they understand how libraries are funded, and the true value of delivery meaningful service. This workshop will focus on how libraries can (1) advocate consistently for local funding, (2) inform local stakeholders about the nuances of library funding and (3) craft messaging that ties increased library investment to improved community wellbeing.

Presenter: Brian Hildreth, Executive Director (Southern Tier Library System)

From Your Hometown to the Capitol

Tuesday, March 9
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

You’ve made it to the end! Or have you? Advocacy work is cyclical, without a starting or ending point. Ask yourself, “What’s next?” You now have the ability to reach your legislators, mobilize your patrons, and market your movement. Now that you have developed your advocacy skill set and a better understanding of this work, you will be able to set your legislative priorities. Your outcomes this year will determine your efforts next year.

Presenter: Briana McNamee, Director of Government Relations & Advocacy (NYLA) & Megan Murray Cusick, Assistant Director for State Advocacy (ALA)

Cost and Registration

There is no fee to register to participate in this series.  Pre-registration is required. You may register for the entire series or any of the individual sessions.

Continuing Education Credits

Each session is eligible for 1.5 CEUs.

Register @ NYLA