1. Building the Local Library Coalition
Building voter support for libraries
Building the Local Library Coalition
PALA Directors I
John Chrastka
@mrchrastka

2. 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 *

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. Drink Coffee
Both
Building voter support for libraries

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Who are the Stakeholders?
Power Mapping
Who are the Stakeholders?

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Keep it Relevant

21. 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

22. 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

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

24. Where do we go first?
Who goes?

25. action.everylibrary.org
John

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