Takin’ It to the Streets: How to Talk to Your Legislator

1. Takin’ It to the Streets: How to Talk to Your Legislator Rural Libraries Conference Spring 2009

2. My Experience with Advocacy • 5 years at the Harrison Community Library – Assistant Director, then Director. • 2 years as Director of the Northland Library Cooperative, then headquartered in Alpena. • Academic library representative on MLA’s Legislative Committee (formerly Public Policy Committee)

3. Types of Advocacy • An advocate is someone who supports or defends a particular cause. • How advocacy activities may happen: • Passive – “living by example.” • Active – taking an official stance and making proactive attempts to advance your position. • Reactionary – taking a stand on an issue under duress, or on short notice.

4. Get Informed • Government is not “at a distance” – WE are the government. • Watch the news, read the papers, read relevant websites and blogs. • Talk with your colleagues. • Talk with others at meetings and social events. • Test your ideas – talk with others, including those whom you know may disagree with you.

5. Where’s your cheering squad? • Don’t hesitate to turn to outside sources for assistance. • Your colleagues – particularly in a small. community, you may want to work together. • Your cooperative – staying abreast of legislative developments is part of the coop mission. • Your library association: the Michigan Library Association (MLA) – works specifically as an advocate for libraries, and employs a lobbying firm to assist in this effort.

6. Make the “usual” visual • Make your library visible to your legislators. • Include them in your newsletter mailing list. • Invite them to tour your library. • Invite them to a board of trustees meeting. • Invite them to events. • Invite them to be a guest reader at storytime. • Invite them to hold office hours and townhall meetings at your library.

7. Crafting Your Message • Make it brief and to the point. • Be sure your legislator knows that you are a member of his/her community. • Thank your legislator for his/her past support (or at least for the good work they do for your community). • Invite your legislator to contact you. • Specifically ask for your legislator’s support.

8. Plan a Visit to the Capital • Call ahead for an appointment. • Bring ID with you – you may need this at the building entrance. • Understand that you may have to wait even with an appointment – legislative schedules can change quickly. • Bring printed examples with you if you think they will help. • Be polite and concise in stating the reason for your visit.

9. Plan a Visit to the Capital • Understand that you may talk with an aide rather than your legislator. Aides do a lot of important work for their legislator – some may be more knowledgeable about your issue than your legislator! • Many aides run for office – you may be talking to your future legislator. • Leave your contact information and offer to be a resource. • Say thank you.

10. Establish a Connection • Legislators are regular folks. • Legislators don’t know everything – they rely on information from others to do their job. • You may know your legislator personally, or know someone who does – use these connections. • Get to know your legislator – know what interests him/her. Learn what committees s/he is on.

11. Establish a Connection • Listen to your legislator – be on the lookout for connection points. • Try to understand his/her point of view if s/he disagrees with you, but be sure to stick to your position. Your legislator needs to hear from all sides. • Use personal examples. • Be credible – avoid making statements or claims that you cannot prove or follow through.

12. In Conclusion • Advocate for what you believe in! • Get informed and organized. • Keep your correspondence and conversations relevant and to the point. • Make it personal. • Keep at it! • Say thank you.

13. Questions? Jennifer L.Dean Head, Collection Development & Acquisitions Saginaw Valley State University Melvin J. Zahnow Library 989-964-7092 jldean@svsu.edu