Mutual Advocates: Public Libraries and their Communities Andrew J. M. Smith, Ph.D. MetLib Conference, Belgrade May 14, 2018

The great librarian assumptions

The great librarian assumptions Everyone knows what a library is Everyone knows what a librarian does Everyone knows the value a professionally-staffed library brings to its community

The great librarian assumptions Are wrong!

The truth Few people know what a library really is Fewer people know what a librarian does or can do Even fewer people understand the real value a professionally-staffed library brings to its community

Because we haven’t told people about the library! The great librarian assumptions are wrong Because we haven’t told people about the library!

Reason for hope Most people do not object to what a library is Most people do not object to what we stand for They simply do not understand We have an opportunity for education

Advocacy Crisis advocacy: Short-term Rushed Under threat De-professionalization Closure

Advocacy Everyday advocacy: Long term Relationships Stakeholders Education Incremental steps

Library problems are worldwide Librarians share professional values Libraries share the same problems Ignorance/lack of understanding are universal library problems

Death of the library Library closures De-professionalization of library staff Everything is online

Where do we go from here? How do we become better advocates? How do we start? We have no money or time!

How do we start? Advocacy can start small Advocacy can start now We don’t need money or time We need to be aware of opportunities

What do we need? Grass-roots advocacy Many people talking about the library Stories of how the library benefit individuals and our communities.

Stakeholders Who are our stakeholders? Are we thinking broadly enough? Funders Business community Education community – schools, teachers, students Users Non-users

Funders How often do they hear from us? What do they hear from us? Positive messages Success stories Impact on community – jobs, achievements Not just demands for more money

Media How often do they hear from us? What do they hear from us? Positive messages Success stories Impact on community – jobs, achievements

Community Are we using programs to bring people together? Old and young people Forming bridges Local history Are we making best use of our resources?

Community - Education Are we educating people about the library? People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed – Samuel Johnson Are we encouraging use? How much time do we spend outside our buildings?

Partnerships Are we actively looking for partnerships? Health information Can we take our services outside our buildings? Story times at nursery schools/ kindergarten / child-care facilities Can we bring groups into the library?

Start talking Talk to more people Talk more often Talk about the library Tell stories of our success

Don’t be a Silent Librarian

Questions?

Mutual Advocates: Public Libraries and their Communities Andrew J. M. Smith, Ph.D. MetLib Conference, Belgrade May 14, 2018