Library Advocacy

In this webinar, we will discuss the importance of your annual report, and some tips on how to make sure yours is effective! A supplementary document of clickable links mentioned in the webinar is included.
Passcode: +Yp$ncQ6

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. 

Grande Prairie Public Library's request for decision to Board to move to fine free model.

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.

From the OLA Advocacy Toolkit: 
Purpose

This toolkit was created to increase the capacity of OLA members, from all library sectors, to advocate for their libraries and to broaden the community of library advocates in Ontario . This toolkit aims
to provide guidance as to how to advocate effectively and link to additional resources for members who wish to learn more .
Vision
OLA members are informed and empowered to secure greater support for and understanding of libraries, and in line with the OLA Government Relations plan . 

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.

On May 23, 2019, TAL hosted this timely webinar on how library managers, directors and trustees can advocate for their libraries. ADVOCACY: IT'S A WAY OF THINKING. Advocacy is an area where both board members and staff may feel unprepared. With a change in the provincial government, the need to ensure that MLAs have the right information for making decisions about libraries is crucial. This webinar will introduce you to a helpful way to think about advocacy, and to approach your local decision makers.
Presenters:
Margaret Law has had a long professional career in Alberta, working in both public and academic libraries. Currently, she is teaching at MacEwan University and at the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta. Advocacy has been an ongoing concern of hers, focused on her belief that the library community needs to tell its own stories clearly in order to inform others about our value to communities.
Punch Jackson retired in 2009 after working 40 years in the non-profit, public and private sectors. He has worked in recreation, sport, community development, the voluntary sector and public libraries. Punch enjoyed 13 years working with the Alberta library community on the creation of APLEN, connecting libraries to the Supernet and advocating for libraries within the Alberta Government and political system. Punch is one of the founding members of the Men’s Sheds Association of Edmonton.