Menu
Search

Advocacy

Being able to demonstrate the impact your library is having on the community can convince decision makers, funders and voters to support your library. Find resources to help gather evidence, use data, and tell the stories that demonstrate the value of the library and show the return on investment it brings to the community. Learn how to amplify your library's value so that you may continue to make a difference in people's lives.

Explore the Advocacy in Action section to learn more about the vital role of public libraries and how to educate the public about the critical funding issues many libraries face. Materials, resources and support are available to libraries who want to engage the support of local community members through fun and innovative campaigns.

Self-paced courses and webinar recordings on this topic are freely available in the WebJunction Course Catalog.

Most Recently Added

Creating a community-led library

Publish Date: News / 10 July 2024

Libraries are increasingly turning to community-led approaches to ensure that their services and resources meet local needs effectively. This process involves actively including community members in decision-making processes, but the pa...

Library guide to civic engagement

Publish Date: News / 3 July 2024

"Throughout 2024, over four billion people in at least 64 countries will have the opportunity to vote for new, national leadership through elections. This means that almost half of the world's population will engage in federal elections this yea...

Data storytelling 101

Publish Date: Webinar / 18 June 2024

This webinar provides an orientation to data storytelling that centers cultural humility while leveraging storytelling dynamics.

5 Things You Need to Know About Grant Writing for School Libraries

Publish Date: News / 26 September 2023

Have you ever thought about applying for a grant to support your school library? It can be a great way to expand your programs, strengthen your resources, and even build new relationships and partnerships. Check out these approachable resources and s...

School Librarians Lead Learning and Transformation

Publish Date: Webinar / 23 May 2023

Join this webinar for an introduction to the School Librarian’s Information Shelf and to learn more from practitioners who have applied transformative practices to their school libraries.

Transforming School Library Practice

Publish Date: News / 2 March 2023

Looking for multimedia resources and tools to spark new ideas and transform your school library? Interested in learning from your peers how to effectively and powerfully communicate the vital work you do to prepare your students for educational and e...

Resources on Book Challenges and Intellectual Freedom

Publish Date: News / 24 May 2022

Across the United States, there are increased reports of book challenges from community members, which have led to very public and heated discussions. As public library leaders and staff consider how to prepare for similar local challenges, being pro...

Toolkit for Creating Smart Spaces

Publish Date: News / 26 January 2021

Libraries have evolved over the past few years to augment their role in providing lifelong learning for their communities. They have shifted from passive to active engagement with community members. They are becoming hubs of collaborative learning, p...

Sustain Your Smart Space Efforts

Publish Date: News / 26 January 2021

This resource is part of the Toolkit for Creating Smart Spaces, a toolkit to help you re-envision your library’s place as a center of community learning. All your efforts to collaborate with your community to create a space for participatory...

Community engagement

Where do you go for inspiration? Invigorate your community engagement efforts with advice from library leaders.