Walk Your Precinct Using tips from the best political campaigns to activate citizen support for library funding Building voter support for libraries John Chrastka Executive Director EveryLibrary

About EveryLibrary Founded on the fact that libraries, as public entities, cannot expend their own funds to do electioneering. Associations, as 501c3 organizations, cannot engage in political speech. Building voter support for libraries

About EveryLibrary Set up as a 501c4 Social Welfare Organization chartered to support local library ballot measures like bonds, referendum, levies and mills. Building voter support for libraries

About EveryLibrary Set up as a 501c4 Social Welfare Organization chartered to support local library ballot measures like bonds, referendum, levies and mills. Includes support for legislation that impacts the ability of libraries to function as districts. Building voter support for libraries

About EveryLibrary We cannot work with libraries themselves. Must work with local ballot committees and PACs set up by citizens to support the measure. Building voter support for libraries

About EveryLibrary EveryLibrary will work with local ballot committees and PACs to provide: Technical assistance with campaigns Campaign consultancy Seed or sustaining funding for campaign work Building voter support for libraries

Voter Attitudes What do we know about voter perception of libraries? Users vs. Non-Users Progressives vs. Conservatives Any Tax is a Bad Tax Building voter support for libraries

Voter Attitudes What do we know about voter perception of libraries? Users vs. Non-Users Progressives vs. Conservatives Any Tax is a Bad Tax Nothing Impacts More than their Perception of the Librarian Building voter support for libraries

What do we know about voter attitudes and libraries? Only 37% say they will definitely support libraries at the ballot box* *OCLC From Awareness to Funding, 2008 Building voter support for libraries

What do we know about voter attitudes and libraries? Only 37% say they will definitely support libraries at the ballot box* *OCLC From Awareness to Funding, 2008 Of all voters: 37% will Definitely vote yes 37% will Probably vote yes 26% will Probably or Definitely vote no or may vote either way. Building voter support for libraries

What do we know about voter attitudes and libraries? 37% Definite + 37% Probably does not equal 74% *OCLC From Awareness to Funding, 2008 Of all voters: 37% will Definitely vote yes 37% will Probably vote yes 26% will Probably or Definitely vote no or may vote either way. Building voter support for libraries

What do we know about voter attitudes and libraries? 37% Definite + 37% Probably does not equal 74% It equals 37%. You have to earn the other 30% plus 1 vote to get it to pass *OCLC From Awareness to Funding, 2008 Of all voters: 37% will Definitely vote yes 37% will Probably vote yes 26% will Probably or Definitely vote no or may vote either way. Building voter support for libraries

Running a Campaign 1.Types of Campaigns 2.Messaging That Works 3.Techniques That Work 4.Funding Partners Building voter support for libraries

Informational Campaign Planning Know your limits Marketing and Awareness Vote Yes Campaign Planning Filing Awareness and GOTV Types of Campaigns Building voter support for libraries

The Library as: – Educational Partner – Economic Development Engine – Social Leveler Connect with Changing Technology Legitimacy as Institution Trust in the Librarian Messaging That Works Building voter support for libraries

 Demands for Services  Entreaties from Patrons/Customers  Appeals about Effectiveness  Perceptions of Service  Whining What Doesn't Work Building voter support for libraries

Informational or “Say Yes” Campaigns: Walking Phoning Events Social and Web Signs Mailers Techniques That Work Building voter support for libraries

Allies in “Say Yes” Funding: EveryLibrary Labor and Unions – SEIU/AFSCME – Fire and other Public Sector Unions – Construction and Building Trades Business Community Individual Donors Funding Partners Building voter support for libraries

In Every Case... Building voter support for libraries Walk your Precinct Actively say “Vote Yes” Answer Challenges with Legitimacy

What Else for Advocacy? 1.What's Working Around the Country 2.The California Library Legislative Agenda 3.Your Personal Leadership Building voter support for libraries

Around the Country New York and Oregon PACs Candidate focused Highly targeted Wyoming Foundation Initiative Infrastructure for funding and advocacy Long term civic development Building voter support for libraries

CA Legislative Agenda SCA7 and the 55% “Solution” Game Changer Union Interest Coalition Opportunities Calls to Action for Advocates Building voter support for libraries

Your Own Leadership Why are you here? Why are you involved in libraries? Why should they continue to exist? Building voter support for libraries

Your Own Leadership Where is Your Precinct? Grassroots or Grass Tops Leverage Personal Relationships Building voter support for libraries

Your Own Leadership Be the Candidate Be the Entrepreneur Be the Visionary Building voter support for libraries

Walk Your Precinct Building voter support for libraries

Thank You facebook.com/everylibrary everylibrary.tumblr.com Building voter support for libraries John Chrastka Executive Director EveryLibrary