1. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians1 What is Advocacy Training? n creating a common agenda with school and education decision-makers n delivering the right message to the right person n lobbying effectively in a different political and economic environment n community partnerships and collaboration

2. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians2 Why is Advocacy Training Needed? n School library services are being de-valued in the current educational environment. n There are misconceptions about the internet and its role in information delivery.

3. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians3 Why is Advocacy Training Needed? n There is a technology bandwagon in Education, but there isn’t always a coherent plan for introducing it, maintaining or upgrading it. n The library’s role in implementing technology and providing training is not clear.

4. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians4 What is... Public Relations n Getting the library’s message across n This is who we are and what we do, this is when and where we do it and for whom...

5. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians5 What is... Marketing n finding out what the customer needs n who are you, and what do you need, how, where and when can we best deliver it to you [and what are you willing to pay?]

6. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians6 Advocacy is: n telling a library story n creating conditions that allow others to act on your behalf n expanding someone’s consciousness n evoking or creating memories n confirming your identity n enhancing awareness, appreciation, support n an exercise in creativity and initiative n an art and a science n creating relationships, partnerships, coalitions n respecting other people’s views, priorities and reasons n a responsibility of leaders n about potential and the future: the survival of school libraries

7. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians7 Roles in Advocacy n Advocacy is built and sustained over a time and requires the effort of many people at many levels. n It’s not the amount but the consistency of the effort, and the consistency of the message. many issues which, if allowed to continue, will actually prevent students from becoming information literate and from becoming lifelong learners. Do we all agree on the message ? Because Student Achievement Is the Bottom Line.

8. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians8 Issues  SLMS not included in curriculum planning  outdated image of SMLS  decision-makers lack understanding of technology and information literacy skills  site-base decision- making diffuses support for school libraries  money goes to technology  school library professionals being replaced  lack of support staff  internet seen as panacea  lack of on-site technical support  lack of technology training  library facilities outdated

9. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians9 The Advocacy Plan Advocacy is about RESPECT

10. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians10 The Advocacy Plan n Do we all have the same understanding of the issue? n Do we all agree that action must be taken? n Do we have the time to dedicate to a serious planning effort? n Will we make the time?

11. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians11 The 5-step Advocacy Plan ¶ Objective: have a clear, measurable objective. · Target Group(s): know who is important in the achieving of your objective.

12. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians12 The 5-step Advocacy Plan ¸ Strategies n What? the obstacles n When? n Where? n Who? n How? the message

13. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians13 The 5-step Advocacy Plan ¹ Communication Tools: never start your planning with the communication tool. It’s Step # 4. º Evaluation: make it an integral part of the planning process from the outset

14. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians14 The Washington Moms  Spokane Rally Spokane Rally

15. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians15 Sample Advocacy Action Plan #1: Beulah Community by Judi Haver  Program: Satellite library serving both school and public (located in H. S.)  Target Audience: High school students (both home school and public school) High School Students' Agenda:Satellite Library Agenda: Learn computer skills for school work Opportunities for more credit hours More help with projects Increase usage of library by students Develop clientele outside of school community Proposed activities: Provide Spanish language tutoring for students taking Spanish and home schoolers looking for credit. Host a workshop for developing computer skills for parents and students. Develop a Teen Advisory Board for the Satellite library consisting of both home schoolers and public school teens. Purpose is to develop a student help blog and other activities.

16. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians16 Sample Advocacy Action Plan #2: Ashland-Greenwood Technology Program by Matt Flynn  Program: Technology Program in a rural bi-community middle school  Target Audience: Parents of middle school students Parents’ Agenda:Technology Program Agenda: Children’s high academic achievement Trust administrators and teachers Keep up with technology so they can help students and make sure they are safe Provide help and tools so students can achieve to their potential More funds for the above More parental involvement for the above Proposed activities: Do a series of articles about technology tips for parents in the monthly newsletter. Begin a homework help night and ask for parent/student volunteers to assist. Do evening training on Power School, popular software, parental safeguards, and use of ipods and 2.0 technology in doing homework. Do 1-3 above before bond vote for more technology funds.

17. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians17 Sample Advocacy Action Plan #3: Elementary Library Media Center by Pam Klenner  Program: Library Media Program in an elementary school  Target Audience: New teachers New Teachers’ Agenda:Library Media Program Agenda: Learn new curriculum Learn how school resources can help them teach Get to know personnel in the school Build positive relationships with staff in order to increase collaboration Increase student interaction Increase LMC usage Proposed activities: Include 30 min. tour of LMC on new staff orientation day, including brochure of library services and resources. LMS meet with new teachers individually to introduce herself and offer overview of curriculum and description of collaboration process. LMS provide in-service for new teachers on the programs and technology used in the building and district.

18. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians18 Summary An effective advocate: – knows how to access and use necessary resources – knows how to contact key decision-makers – writes an effective letter to a decision- maker – gets the right information to the decision-maker – knows who can get to the key decision- makers – understands the environment of the decision-maker – says “thank you”.... often – understands the importance of timing – is never a lone wolf and never cries “wolf”

19. Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians19 Acknowledgements These slides were developed to accompany a training manual used as part of the AASL Information Power Training Institute, July 1998. AASL acknowledges the contributions of: – the American Library Association, – the Canadian Library Association, – the Leadership Learning Center, – Pat Cavill Consulting and – Ken Haycock and Associates to the development of these materials and Dr. Sheryl R. Crow for the 2009 update.