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

2. The
great
librarian
assumptions

3. 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

4. The great librarian assumptions
Are wrong!

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

9. Advocacy Everyday advocacy: Long term Relationships Stakeholders
Education
Incremental steps

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

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

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

13. 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

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

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

16. 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

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

18. 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?

19. 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?

20. 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?

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

22. Don’t
be a
Silent
Librarian

23. Questions?

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