Advocacy

DESCRIPTION

School libraries do not exist in a vacuum. They are reliant upon decision makers at the local, district, state, regional, and national level. These individuals and groups set policies that impact educational funding, standards, and curriculum, and often have a direct or trickle-down effect on school libraries. As school librarians, we must understand what these decision makers value, and how to capitalize on that to make our case when advocating for the library. Each step of the advocacy process, from deciding who to address, what data to collect and share, how to communicate the needs of the library, and who to recruit to speak on the library's behalf, must be considered thoughtfully and purposefully for meaningful and lasting advocacy results. And it all starts with building and sustaining a relationship with your decision makers. Watch the video lessons and complete the reflection activities to deepen your collaboration within the learning community around you!

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Learn the definition of advocacy and why it is a crucial part of achieving your library's goals
• Learn how to identify who the decision makers are in your community
• Learn the importance of understanding your decision makers' values
• Learn about different sources and types of data to use in your advocacy efforts
• Learn several approaches for communicating your data
• Learn ways to reach advocates beyond your school building
• Learn the importance of creating an advocacy committee
• Learn best practices for following up with your decision makers

COURSE OUTLINE

Each course lesson includes video content and at least one follow-up activity to help you apply and show evidence of your learning.

Introduction Video

Lesson 1: The Importance of Advocacy

Activity 1: Identify Your Advocacy Goal

Activity 2: Relationship Building

Lesson 2: Considering Values and Priorities

Activity 1: Adjusting Your Advocacy Message

Activity 2: Know Who You're Speaking To

Lesson 3: Collecting and Communicating Data

Activity 1: Communicating Your Message

Activity 2: Practice, Practice, Practice

Lesson 4: Developing a Coalition

Activity 1: Design Your Ideal Advocacy Committee

Activity 2: Reaching Beyond the School Building

Lesson 5: Advocacy is a Relationship

Activity 1: Develop an Advocacy Plan

Closing Video

Course Certification Quiz

CREDIT HOURS

Earn three professional development clock hours for completing this course's videos, activities, and quiz. Consult with your supervising organization about applying these to your professional development requirements.

EVIDENCE OF LEARNING

To show evidence of learning for this course, complete and share responses to the following activities:

1. Identify Your Advocacy Goal
2. Relationship Building
3. Adjusting Your Advocacy Message
4. Know Who You're Speaking To
5. Communicating Your Message
6. Practice, Practice, Practice
7. Design Your Ideal Advocacy Committee
8. Reaching Beyond the School Building
9. Develop an Advocacy Plan
10. Workshop Quiz Results / Certificate of Completion

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN TEAM

Deborah Rinio, MLS, PHD, received her master's in library science from the University of Arizona, and her doctorate in education and communication from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. A former librarian, she has served as President of the Alaska Association of School Librarians (AkASL) and on the 2017 AASL National Standards Editorial Board. In 2015, she received the AkASL Linda K. Barrett award for outstanding service to the school library profession.

Rebecca J. Morris, MLIS, PhD, earned her master's degree and doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh and her undergraduate degree in elementary education at Pennsylvania State University. Rebecca teaches graduate courses in school librarianship and youth library services. Rebecca has published articles in journals including School Library Research, Knowledge Quest, School Libraries Worldwide, Teacher Librarian and the Journal of Research on Young Adults in Libraries. She is the author of School Libraries and Student Learning: A Guide for School Leaders (Harvard Education Publishing Group, 2015). Rebecca is a former elementary classroom teacher and middle school librarian.

Jane Cullina, MSEd, is the professional development manager for School Library Connection. A former children's librarian and humanities teacher, Jane earned her master's degree from the Bank Street College of Education in New York City and has taught in Boston, New York, Maine, California, and South Africa.

Emma Bailey is a project editor for Libraries Unlimited and manages production for the book division. In her 15 years with Libraries Unlimited, Emma has worked with authors and librarians on over 1,000 titles and created strong content knowledge to aid in the professional development curriculum for School Library Connection.

ABOUT LIBRARIES UNLIMITED

School Library Connection is a publication of Libraries Unlimited, a publisher in the field of academic, public, school, and special libraries since 1964. Libraries Unlimited's mission—to cultivate and maintain a supportive community where librarians, archivists, and information specialists can learn about and discuss leading-edge trends and acquire new skills through every phase of their careers—is supported by over 2,000 publications. Since 2008, Libraries Unlimited has been an imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC, an award-winning publisher of digital and print products in the realms of reference, contemporary thought, and professional development. With both a long-standing reputation for authoritative and trustworthy materials and a current prominence in delivering cutting-edge content in diverse and innovative forms, ABC-CLIO continues to be driven by pursuit of its core mission: to serve as source, catalyst, and support of lifelong learning.

CONTACT INFORMATION

To make inquiries about this workshop, please email WebinarSLC@abc-clio.com.