Advocacy Groups
According to the ALA website, advocacy is defined as “the process of turning passive support into educated action by stakeholders.” The following links lead to organisations that help information professionals promote libraries or issues germane to librarianship.
- The Campaign for the Worlds’ Libraries
“The Campaign for the World’s Libraries is a public education campaign (…) to speak loudly and clearly about the value of libraries and librarians in the 21st century. It is designed to showcase the unique and vital roles played by public, school, academic and special libraries worldwide.” -
Friends of Canadian Libraries:
Their goal is “to promote the development of excellent library service for all residents of Canada.” They offer fundraising ideas, a newsletter, and conferences. -
Friends of Libraries U.S.A.:
Their mission is “to motivate and support local Friends groups across the country in their efforts to preserve and strengthen libraries.” They offer many advocacy resources and ideas. - Libraries for the Future:
“Libraries for the Future is a national nonprofit organization that champions the role of libraries in American life and helps individual libraries become more effective community institutions of the future.” They offer advocacy programmes, training and services for libraries, and a newsletter. -
Advocacy for Libraries: American Library Association
They offer a list of links that describe the advocacy efforts and policies of the ALA. The ALA Washington Office “Office of Government Relations” plays a pivotal role in library advocacy at the Federal level. -
Library Advocacy Now!: Canadian Association of Public Libraries:
“The Library Advocacy Now! program consists of background material and exercises that will make you understand your own passion for libraries and how better to tell the library story to others. It also has a step-by-step advocacy planning component. Links are provided to other advocacy resources.” -
Open Access Advocacy: BioMed Central:
A large collection of resources for librarians to help promote Open Access Journals. -
Other library advocacy sites
The following links lead to Library Associations that have good resources on library advocacy. They have been grouped together because they offer state specific advocacy resources:
Advocacy: Illinois Library Association
Advocacy: New York Library Association
Advocacy: Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (Minnesota)