https://players.brightcove.net/2566261579001/HyuWsfFhb_default/index.html?videoId=6317232053112

About

In this course, you learned what the decision makers at all levels value and how to use that information to advocate for your 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. This course helped deepen your understanding and earn PD credit through the concise video lessons and application activities.

Transcript

As you have learned, advocacy is an ongoing process, full of small, daily moments—like sharing student learning products with families— and more structured occasional events, like a school board presentation or legislative breakfast at your school. Some of these moments may be in your wheelhouse, and some may not. As a school librarian, I always felt comfortable approaching my principal, but I wasn't as familiar with middle school parents, not like I was as a first grade teacher whose students parents were always around.

Beginning with a few core people who helped with book fairs, I got to know and cultivate trusted parent partners. In another example, I never used to be confident picking up the phone to call a legislator about education policy, but after following some prompts from state library organizations to make calls, I can do that now.

This is all to say: if advocacy for the school library ever starts to feel like an endless mountain to climb, know that your supporters and your profession are climbing with you. They have skills, resources and relationships that they bring to your team and ultimately to your students and school library.