how to save your library

HOW TO SAVE YOUR

LIBRARY

Advocating on Multiple Fronts During Economic Crisis

April 2011 Budget Scenario of Doom

14 of 18 branches closed permanently 4 remaining sites open 2-3 days a week 90% of staff laid off

We got mad… then we got organized!

Children’s Librarians as Advocates

We have the data connecting children’s literacy and libraries to healthy communities.

Parents are a built-in audience and we have daily contact with them.

We are comfortable performing in front of audiences.

Keep the message simple and inclusive. Example: “SAVE OAKLAND LIBRARIES” NOT “Save Library Jobs,” or “Save East Oakland Branches”

Use a variety of tactics; mix traditional and new methods of outreach

Be FLEXIBLE and prepare for the LONG HAUL Take some breaks & regenerate

Strategies

THE PLAYERS

Library Friends Library Youth Organizations Community Organizations Schools Local Businesses Professional Library Organizations Local Authors Unions Media

OUR METHODS

Branding

Electronic Media

Website: saveoaklandlibrary.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/saveopl Twitter: @SaveOPL Email lists

Author Mac Barnett reads from his book, "Guess Who?"

Events

Protests

Petition Drive18, 000 + signatures collected

City Council

5,511 signatures = 91.85 hours of public comment time @ 1

minute each

$1 spent on library services = $4 - $5 returned to the city

economically

Drama and humor can get the attention of elected officials

Support from the Schools

Reach parents with your voice atParent/Teacher Meetings

Festivals – School Assemblies

Youth can be strong advocates!

Teens Supporting Libraries

Community Organizations & Places of Worship

Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils Spanish Speaking Unity Council Temples and Churches

Latino / Spanish-Speaking Community “The Fruitvale”

Large Immigrant Population Heavy Library Users Energetic and Passionate Library Advocates Find those persons who can speak and write the

language of your patrons

Bilingual is Best!

Demostración En frente de la Biblioteca

Cesar Chávez NO CIERREN LAS BIBLIOTECAS

Sábado 06/11/2011

A las 1:00 pm.

Ven a participar en una demostración Nos reuniremos en frente del al

Biblioteca César Chávez y macharemos en la plaza

Demonstration In front of

Cesar Chavez Branch Library NO LIBRARIES CLOSED

SATURDAY 06/11/2011

AT 1:00 PM

Come join us we will gather if front of the César Chavez Branch Library and March to the plaza.

TAKEAWAYS

Know Your Audience

Activate the CommunityUse people’s passions and energy, their

contacts, their professional skills This got us: A website A read-in Media contacts Children’s authors A coffin

Most of all, have fun with it!

Be silly and creative Try things you’ve always wanted to do

Step Up & Advocate!

• Anger & concern, then WISE ACTION; Speaking up – YOU CAN DO IT

• Speak at community groups, school assemblies, places of worship

• Digital Divide still with us• Advocating for the library is always important

whether there’s a crisis or not

Helen Bloch

Oakland Public LibraryLibrarian 2Children's Room125 14th StreetOakland, CA 94612510.238.6567hbloch@oaklandlibrary.org

Nina Lindsay

Oakland Public LibrarySupervising LibrarianChildren’s Services125 14th StreetOakland, CA 94612510.238.6706nlindsay@oaklandlibrary.org

Amy Martin

Oakland Public LibraryLibrarian 2Eastmont Branch7200 Bancroft AveOakland, CA 94605510.615.5726amartin@oaklandlibrary.org

Pete Villaseñor

Oakland Public LibraryBranch ManagerCesar Chavez Branch3301 East 12 St, Suite 271Oakland, CA 94601510.535.5620pvillasenor@oaklandlibrary.org

125 14th Street Oakland CA 94612

510.238.3134http://www.oaklandlibrary.org

https://www.facebook.com/Oaklibrary