Library Advocacy

The Municipal election Advocacy Toolkit contains everything a library and their patrons need to advocate for their library during municipal election season. 
The .zip contains:

• An informational pamphlet that contains background information on libraries and how they are influenced by local politics, as well as 3 main questions to ask your candidates
• A flyer that simplifies the above information pamphlet in an eye-catchign way
• How to hold and election forum
• Questions and answers about the value of libraries
• A door hanger that lists the 3 questions to ask your candidates
• A document with a few example policies on political use of library spaces
• A folder full of pre-made fillable images to post onsocial media
• A list of 10 activities one can do do promote the library durin election season (or any time)

The web link lead to the toolkit hosted on TALs website. It includes the .zip as well as a webinar presented by TAL staff on the contents of the package and how to use them, as well as an Articulate 360 interactive walkthough of possible candidate conversations. 

How to Talk to Your MLA
by Heather Klimchuk
Former MLA and Cabinet Minister

• Topics covered in this webinar include: 
• Cultivating Connections through Strategic Advocacy.
• What does my MLA want to hear from me?
• Board Engagement, local library engagement.
• Annual Advocacy Day – I met my Library.
• New Best Friends -Who are these people?
• You have more power and influence than you think you do.
• Never underestimate your connections.

Advocating to Your Municipal Council 
Presenting to your municipal council can often feel like a dreaded ordeal. Hopefully by the end of this webinar you’ll have some new tools in your advocacy toolkit that will make council presentations something you look forward to. We’ll cover:

• The importance of tooting your own horn.
• Getting Council to care about what you’re saying.
• Deciding what information to highlight in your presentation.
• How to present the information for the best impact.

Presenter Bio
Allison Stewart has worked in school and public libraries for over 16 years. She worked in an elementary school library for two years before jumping into the shark-infested waters of a local high school library. She ran that library for 7 years before moving to Stony Plain Public Library in September 2010 as the Assistant Director. She became Director in 2013. Allison is passionate about libraries and believes information professionals will eventually rule the world because they know how to control the flow of information.

Presenting to your municipal council can often feel like a dreaded ordeal. Hopefully by the end of this webinar you’ll have some new tools in your advocacy toolkit that will make council presentations something you look forward to. We’ll cover:

• The importance of tooting your own horn.
• Getting Council to care about what you’re saying.
• Deciding what information to highlight in your presentation.
• How to present the information for the best impact.

Presenter Bio
Allison Stewart has worked in school and public libraries for over 16 years. She worked in an elementary school library for two years before jumping into the shark-infested waters of a local high school library. She ran that library for 7 years before moving to Stony Plain Public Library in September 2010 as the Assistant Director. She became Director in 2013. Allison is passionate about libraries and believes information professionals will eventually rule the world because they know how to control the flow of information.

TAL Hosted this webinar on July 4, 2019. Attendees learned about 10 tips on how to ensure your library stories stand out with media and to create key messages to be used in media relations activities, advocacy and promotion. This presentation was hosted by a marketing and communications leader about her experience working with the media and leave with a better understanding about media relations.
The Presenter, Anna Alfonso, is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Edmonton Public library where she leads marketing, communications and design. She brings with her over 15 years' experience as a brand builder and strategic marketing communications leader in the retail and tourism industries. Anna was most recently the Vice President of Marketing at West Edmonton Mall where her team was responsible for the organization's digital, retail, attractions, destination marketing, corporate communications, media relations, events, advertising, in-house design studio and strategic partnerships. Prior to West Edmonton Mall, Anna held senior marketing roles with Travel Alberta and E! Entertainment.