Yes, we all know that social media is essential for informing patrons about programs, services, and resources, but how many of you also use social media for library advocacy? Community stakeholders can work as partners to promote all the free and wonderful things that your library has to offer.
According to the American Library Association, “advocacy is central to everything we do, from intellectual freedom to library funding (ALA.org). The ALA recommends several ways to achieve library advocacy. One suggestion is for librarians to report instances of censorship of patron-challenged books. As ALA gathers data, it can help libraries combat censorship. Another way to support a public library is to invite a congressperson to tour the library and learn about all that it offers. With the politician’s advance authorization, the library may be able to tag them in the library post and ask them to share information about their library tour.
One of my relatives just won her second term as a legislator in our county. She has visited our library, where we walked her through the facility and explained all the support and programming that we provide. With the knowledge gained, she will be able to consider the importance of funding public libraries as she advances through her political career.
Sharing your story about a positive experience with a library is another powerful way to advocate. The ALA provides a tipsheet to help you get started sharing photos and videos that can be shared on social media or other platforms. The guidelines include suggestions about story structure and the specificity of the content. At our library, we have asked patrons to share a little about why the library is essential to them. We videotape or audio record them answering a few prompts and then share the captured advocacy on our socials. ALA provides a framework, including a table of suggested themes and an action plan to get patrons to advocate on your behalf. It’s worth a try, isn’t it?
I love the idea of direct communication with ALA! While ALA guidelines are certainly useful in creating effective social media posts, utilizing it as an ally in promoting librarianship brings advocacy to a whole new level. Your mention of censorship is especially topical at the present moment, when so many libraries are facing book challenges and bans. Showcasing legislator visits is also an excellent way for viewers to see that library advocacy is an important cause to champion, ideally prompting them to join in advocacy efforts. With mindful use of hashtags, you could potentially get your library on thousands of users' radars in just a few minutes!
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