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Adelphi University

Library Advocacy for Academic Libraries

This guide is intended to spur ideas for academic library advocacy at the state level. Please check with your university/college external relations department or equivalent. 

Get the word out!

  • Start a social media campaign for Library Advocacy Day. 
  • Thoughout the year tag legislators
    • show what the library is doing with funding
    • the benefits LILRC plays on our library
    • success stories

Invite legislators to the library and give a tour. 

  • Discuss the importance of the CCDA program. Show them what the library acquires with the funds received. 
  • Discuss the importance LILRC. Share what we've learned from their continuing education programs and how their resources help the library. 
  • Share success stories from the library and the library resources. 
    • invite students to share their success stories about the library
    • perhaps get political science students involved. 

 

Send an email to tell your legislator how important library funding is. Below is a sample template.

To quickly and easilty send a letter to the governor, use NYLA's email to Governor Hochul. 

Dear Senator __________,

My name is ______________________. I attend/work at Adelphi University. I'm reaching out to ask you to support library funding.

<Write about why it's important to you> Example: Our students benefit from the databases we are able to purchase using the CCDA program funding. LILRC, which is supported in part by State Aid, is invaluable to us, through their many services and continuing education and programs. 

Please support library funding. 

Thank you for your time. 

Sincerely, 

Name and email address

Have an elevator speech prepared. You never know who'll you meet. 

An elevator speech a message intended to spur decision makers to action. An elevator speech must be short, specific, and memorable. It is important to have your elevator speech rehearsed and ready because you never know when you'll have an opportunity to use it! - American Library Association. 

Examples for Crafting an Elevator Speech from the American Library Association. 

Get an article in the school newspaper. If the article runs, followup with a thank you. 

The article should include the who, what, where, when, why and how. 

  • Who is doing this?
  • What is happening?
  • Where is it happening?
  • When is it happening?
  • Why is it unique, newsworthy?
  • How does is affect the community?

Hodges, J., Hines, S., & Garcia, R. (2024). ALA Media Training Deep Dive, Chapter Advocacy Workshop, ALA & AASL.

When talking about libraries have a story bank prepared. Topics can include:

  • Anecdotes related to library workers, visitors and members
  • Stories from colleagues
  • Moments in which you were inspired or moved by something or someone in your work
  • Your experience with specific issues and how it impacted you, your family or your community

Hodges, J., Hines, S., & Garcia, R. (2024). ALA Media Training Deep Dive, Chapter Advocacy Workshop, ALA & AASL.