New Jersey Libraries Advocacy in Tough Times Advocating in a Tough Economy: An Advocacy Institute Workshop ALA Midwinter Meeting –San Diego, California January 7, 2011 Peggy Cadigan, Associate State Librarian for Innovation, New Jersey State Library Patricia Tumulty, Exec. Director, New Jersey Library Association

Digital Natives Yes, this is how we appeared when we first heard rumors that our funding was being cut statewide. Libraries all over NJ are in crisis mode.

It even got the attention of our newspaper’s editorial cartoonist.

We felt like we were being pulled in six different directions We felt like we were being pulled in six different directions. We needed to save PCSA, databases, the Library for the Blind & Handicapped, not to mention staff, delivery & Inter Library Loan. Knew we needed an advocacy plan.

OCLC report From Awareness to Funding Advocacy tools OCLC report From Awareness to Funding We have based a campaign on the results from the OCLC report, From Awareness to Funding. that states the best way to get support from voters isn’t to reach library users or detail our services, but to portray libraries as transformative forces. We needed a way to show the impact we have every day on the lives of New Jersey residents.

Advocacy Advocacy Efforts NJSL convened the “Libraries Transform Lives Task Force” 40 librarians from around the state who meet once a month to strategize how we can best advocate in these tough economic times. This was where I suggested that we take a snapshot of what libraries do on a single day and capture it in a marketable strategy. The NJ State Library partnered with the New Jersey Library Association to make Snapshot Day happen. My co-chair for this project was Heidi Cramer, Head of Central Library Services, Newark Public Library, and our committee included NJLA members from all around the state. For this project to be successful, you need someone who is adept at technology, and Heidi is a champion. She created our wiki and kept it constantly updated and fresh, even while juggling her duties as President of the NJLA that year.

Importance of CONVENIENCE Importance of CONVENIENCE. We decided to make SS Day as simple as possible. Created a wiki with instructions on how to do EVERYTHING – upload photos, sample press releases, sample photo permission form, etc. Assigned one person (me!) to answer all questions and one person (Heidi) to handle the technology. Lots of handholding and quick response ensured success.

Statistics were quite compelling Statistics were quite compelling. Also created a dialogue between library staff and their customers. An opportunity for library staff to talk about potential budget cuts and suggest specific ways patrons can help support library. In Just One Day 161,367 people walked through the doors of New Jersey libraries. 156,793 books, movies and more were borrowed from New Jersey libraries. 27,742 people used computers at New Jersey libraries. 18,537 questions were answered at New Jersey libraries. 1,245 people got employment help at New Jersey libraries. 1,241 programs were offered at New Jersey libraries. 984 people learned computer skills at New Jersey libraries. 1200 photos posted to flickr. This advocacy effort was simple, effective, and didn’t cost a dime!

We captured comments that strongly endorsed libraries and had them printed on conference bags.

Librarians all across the state uploaded more than 1200 photographs Librarians all across the state uploaded more than 1200 photographs. We selected 24 of them and had them made into a poster. We distributed a poster and a bag to each of our state legislators with a letter stating “Here are YOUR constituents enjoying YOUR library.”

Over 104,000 people have used a computer in this library since 2002! One of our librarians printed out signs like this, using her SS Day statistics and posted them throughout her library and then she invited her local legislators to lunch. You already collect statistics – use them to brag about all that you do.

Newark Public Library used Snapshot Day quotes and photos in their annual report.

Maine State Library created a gorgeous advocacy brochure incorporating statistics & photos from Snapshot Day.

March 2010 Treasury proposed cuts Statewide library services eliminated ($10. 4million - 74% cut) By losing this state aid, we would lose matching federal aid - $4.5 million State Library Appropriation was eliminated $8.8. million appropriated to Rutgers for Capitol Campus in Trenton. Half of Per Capita State Aid eliminated and program moved to NJ Department of Community Affairs We were threatened with a 74% budget cut in March 2010. Pat Tumulty and I visited legislators armed with statistics from Snapshot Day that helped us make the case for restoration of funds.

Advocacy is never ending… Advocacy is ongoing. (Pat) Library Champion campaign.

Peggy Birdsall Cadigan New Jersey State Library Associate State Librarian for Innovation pcadigan@njstatelib.org Patricia Tumulty Executive Director New Jersey Library Association ptumulty@njla.org