Building the Local Library Coalition Building voter support for libraries Building the Local Library Coalition PALA 2016 - Directors I John Chrastka @mrchrastka | @everylibrary

First Nationwide PAC for Libraries Set up as a c4 rather than a c3 41 Campaigns to date 33 wins $100 million in stable tax funding Pro Bono Approach *

Voter Data that Frames Our Discussion “From Awareness to Funding” says… Building voter support for libraries

Voter Attitudes Nationwide, of all voters: 37% will Definitely vote yes for the library 37% will Probably vote yes for the library 26% will Probably or Definitely vote no or may vote either way. Building voter support for libraries

Library Use Does Not Matter A voter’s willingness to support increased library funding is not driven, or limited, by library use. - OCLC "From Awareness to Funding" p. 7-2 Building voter support for libraries

Probable and Super Supporters • They are involved in their communities • They recognize the library’s importance to the community and to a child’s education • They are not always heavy users of the library, but believe the library is a noble place, important and relevant to the community Building voter support for libraries

Probable and Super Supporters • They recognize the value of a ‘passionate librarian’ as a true advocate for lifelong learning • They see the library as a vital community resource like public schools, fire and police, and are willing to increase their taxes to support the library. - OCLC "From Awareness to Funding" p7-4 Building voter support for libraries

How Do We Find Those People? Both Building voter support for libraries

Drink Coffee Both Building voter support for libraries

Drink Coffee w/ Partners 02/27/13 Drink Coffee w/ Partners Educational Partners Social Welfare and Religious Partners Governmental Partners Civic Partners Business Partners Politicians Media John #everylibrary Building voter support for libraries

Drink More Coffee I Like what you’re doing ---> I Support what you are doing ---> I Want to identify us with what you are doing.

Who are the Stakeholders? Power Mapping Who are the Stakeholders?

Who Cares about Education? 02/27/13 Who Cares about Education? 1. Educational Partners Pre-K and K-12 College/University For-Profit Tutoring Private/Public After-School Programs Three Messages: Library as Educational Partner, Library as Resource Extender, Library as Gap Filler Building voter support for libraries

Who Cares about the Same Populations? 02/27/13 Who Cares about the Same Populations? 2. Social Welfare and Religious Partners Counseling Centers Food Pantry / WIC Jobs Training Center Literacy Centers Youth Oriented Human Services Three Messages: Library as Resource Extender, Library as Third Place, Library as Start Point Building voter support for libraries

Who Cares What Your Tax Rate is? 02/27/13 Who Cares What Your Tax Rate is? 3. Governmental Partners Parks and Recc Public Safety – Police and Fire Public Works Public Employee Unions Tribal Government Transit and Development Three Messages: Library as Contact Place, Library as Info Point, Library in Common Cause Building voter support for libraries

Who Wants to Change the World a Bit? 02/27/13 Who Wants to Change the World a Bit? 4. Civic Partners Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis Military Family Support Heritage and Local History GLBT, Immigrant and New Resident Arts & Culture Environment and Livable Communities Three Messages: Library as Social Leveler, Library as Neutral Good, Library as [insert organizational cause the library already champions] Building voter support for libraries

Who Doesn’t Know about Libraries? 02/27/13 Who Doesn’t Know about Libraries? 5. Business Partners Local Chamber / CVB Startups and Entrepreneurs Small Businesses – Service or Retail Big Civilian Employers & Military Realtors Three Messages: Librarian as Business Reference Resource, Library as Training Space, Library as Retail Anchor Building voter support for libraries

Who has Constituents? 6. Politicians Incumbents Insurgents 02/27/13 Who has Constituents? 6. Politicians Incumbents Insurgents City / County / State / Federal Three Messages: Library as Good Governance, Library as Responsible with Budget, Library as [insert their pet project] Building voter support for libraries

Who Needs to Hear it First? 02/27/13 Who Needs to Hear it First? 7. Media and Local Networks Print, Radio and TV Social Media Groups Bloggers Networkers, Connectors (Gossips) Key Messaging is always your campaign themes and talking points Building voter support for libraries

Keep it Relevant

Getting Endorsed Vision for the community is the key story to tell You will either have more money than people, or more people than money Elections are won through coalitions Endorsements drive legitimacy Proxies who to speak for the candidate are necessary Building voter support for libraries

Extending Your Influence What systems exist in your community that align with libraries? Where are your natural partnerships? Who are you regularly frustrated with? State and Local Systems: Boards and Commissions Coalitions of Common Cause Coalitions of Common Concern

What Coalitions are Right for You? Economic Development Early Literacy and Early Childhood Grade Level Reading Housing and Food Security Immigration Safety and Violence

Where do we go first? Who goes?

action.everylibrary.org John

www.everylibrary.org facebook/everylibrary @everylibrary Thank You John Chrastka EveryLibrary www.everylibrary.org facebook/everylibrary @everylibrary Building voter support for libraries