Mutual Advocates: Public Libraries and their Communities

1. Mutual Advocates: Public Libraries and their Communities Andrew J. M. Smith, Ph.D. MetLib Conference, Belgrade May 14, 2018

2. The great librarian assumptions

3. The great librarian assumptions Everyone knows what a library is Everyone knows what a librarian does Everyone knows the value a professionally-staffed library brings to its community

4. The great librarian assumptions Are wrong!

5. The truth Few people know what a library really is Fewer people know what a librarian does or can do Even fewer people understand the real value a professionally-staffed library brings to its community

6. The great librarian assumptions are wrong Because we haven’t told people about the library!

7. Reason for hope Most people do not object to what a library is Most people do not object to what we stand for They simply do not understand We have an opportunity for education

8. Advocacy • Crisis advocacy: • Short-term • Rushed • Under threat • De-professionalization • Closure

9. Advocacy • Everyday advocacy: • Long term • Relationships • Stakeholders • Education • Incremental steps

10. Library problems are worldwide Librarians share professional values Libraries share the same problems Ignorance/lack of understanding are universal library problems

11. Death of the library Library closures De-professionalization of library staff Everything is online

12. Where do we go from here? How do we become better advocates? How do we start? We have no money or time!

13. How do we start? Advocacy can start small Advocacy can start now We don’t need money or time We need to be aware of opportunities

14. What do we need? Grass-roots advocacy Many people talking about the library Stories of how the library benefit individuals and our communities.

15. Stakeholders • Who are our stakeholders? • Are we thinking broadly enough? • Funders • Business community • Education community – schools, teachers, students • Users • Non-users

16. Funders • How often do they hear from us? • What do they hear from us? • Positive messages • Success stories • Impact on community – jobs, achievements • Not just demands for more money

17. Media • How often do they hear from us? • What do they hear from us? • Positive messages • Success stories • Impact on community – jobs, achievements

18. Community • Are we using programs to bring people together? • Old and young people • Forming bridges • Local history • Are we making best use of our resources?

19. Community - Education • Are we educating people about the library? • People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed – Samuel Johnson • Are we encouraging use? • How much time do we spend outside our buildings?

20. Partnerships • Are we actively looking for partnerships? • Health information • Can we take our services outside our buildings? • Story times at nursery schools/ kindergarten / child-care facilities • Can we bring groups into the library?

21. Start talking Talk to more people Talk more often Talk about the library Tell stories of our success

22. Don’t be a Silent Librarian

23. Questions?

24. Mutual Advocates: Public Libraries and their Communities Andrew J. M. Smith, Ph.D. MetLib Conference, Belgrade May 14, 2018