How to Save Your Library

1. How to Save Your Library Advocating on Multiple Fronts During Economic Crisis

2. 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!

3. 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.

4. Strategies • 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

5. THE PLAYERS

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

7. OUR METHODS

8. Branding

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

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

11. Protests

12. Petition Drive 18, 000 + signatures collected

13. 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

14. Drama and humor can get the attention of elected officials

15. Support from the Schools

16. Reach parents with your voice atParent/Teacher Meetings Festivals – School Assemblies

17. Youth can be strong advocates!

18. Teens Supporting Libraries

19. Community Organizations & Places of Worship • Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils • Spanish Speaking Unity Council • Temples and Churches

20. 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

21. Demostració n E n 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 reuniremo s en frente del al Biblioteca Cé sar Chávez y macharemos en la plaza Demonstration I n 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. Bilingual is Best!

22. TAKEAWAYS

23. Know Your Audience

24. Activate the Community Use 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

25. Most of all, have fun with it! • Be silly and creative • Try things you’ve always wanted to do

26. 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

27. Helen Bloch Oakland Public Library Librarian 2 Children's Room 125 14th Street Oakland, CA 94612 510.238.6567 hbloch@oaklandlibrary.org

28. Nina Lindsay Oakland Public Library Supervising Librarian Children’s Services 125 14th Street Oakland, CA 94612 510.238.6706 nlindsay@oaklandlibrary.org

29. Amy Martin Oakland Public Library Librarian 2 Eastmont Branch 7200 Bancroft Ave Oakland, CA 94605 510.615.5726 amartin@oaklandlibrary.org

30. Pete Villaseñor Oakland Public Library Branch Manager Cesar Chavez Branch 3301 East 12 St, Suite 271 Oakland, CA 94601 510.535.5620 pvillasenor@oaklandlibrary.org

31. 125 14th Street Oakland CA 94612 510.238.3134 http://www.oaklandlibrary.org https://www.facebook.com/Oaklibrary