All Sessions

Library Lovers' Month is a month-long celebration of school, public, and private libraries of all types. This is a time for everyone, especially library support groups, to recognize the value of libraries and to work to assure that the Nation's libraries will continue to serve. Library supporters create a celebration of their very own in honor of libraries. For the past 12 years, the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County MD, Trustees and Staff have shown elected officials and their community how much we value our libraries. See and hear some ideas you can bring home to create your own “Library Lovers Month.”

February Should be Your “Library Lovers Month” is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

Join expert library advocates for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them. A series of short discussions , workshops and Q&A sessions will take place, designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Location: ALA Member Pavilion, Exhibits Floor

February Should be Your “Library Lovers Month”
Noon – 12:30 p.m.
Susan Schmidt, Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF) Division Councilor, Friends of the Library Montgomery County (MD)
Library Lovers' Month is a month-long celebration of school, public, and private libraries of all types. This is a time for everyone, especially library support groups, to recognize the value of libraries and to work to assure that the Nation's libraries will continue to serve.    Library supporters create a celebration of their very own in honor of libraries.  For the past 12 years, the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County MD, Trustees and Staff have shown elected officials and their community how much we value our libraries.  See and hear some ideas you can bring home to create your own “Library Lovers Month.” Sponsor: ALTAFF

Influencing Opinion Leaders: Practical Strategies for Library Board Trustees
12:30 – 1 p.m.
Jenny Benedict, Directory of Library Services, West Vancouver Memorial Library
In this time of shrinking dollars and increasing competition, how can Library Board Trustees improve the likelihood of securing the funding your library needs?  This session will present the principles of influence and share practical strategies for communicating with opinion leaders and key stakeholders. Sponsor: Committee on Library Advocacy (COLA)

Learn about Turning the Page 2.0, Public Library Association’s (PLA) free advocacy training program
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Lynn Slawsky, Program Officer, PLA, and Stephanie Gerding, Turning the Page 2.0 facilitator and independent library consultant
Turning the Page 2.0 is a free advocacy training offered by PLA with generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In up to 18 hours spread over 6 weeks, participants in Turning the Page 2.0 learn about advocacy and develop Advocacy Work Plans. In this 30-minute informational session at the Advocacy Corner, attendees will hear an overview of the course, including how our facilitators will help you plan an advocacy project. Attendees can then request to be contacted when registration opens for the autumn course, which will run the weeks of Sept. 24 – Oct. 29. Sponsor: PLA

National Statistics for Local Advocacy? You Betcha!
1:30 – 2 p.m.
Judy Hoffman, Project Manager, Office for Research & Statistics
Combining national/state statistics, your library’s statistics, and real-life examples provide the basis for truly powerful stories. Since 2007, local and state libraries across the nation have utilized national and state data from the Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study to help craft effective advocacy and marketing messages.  Learn how to interpret the data, access new advocacy and marketing tools and make your library’s case to elected officials and community stakeholders. The Study is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ALA. Check it out at www.ala.org/plinternetfunding. Sponsor: ORS 

Winning the Influence Game: 10 D.C. Insider Strategies for Making a Difference for Libraries
2 – 2:30 p.m.
Stephanie Vance, Advocacy Associates
Listen to the “Advocacy Guru” share valuable tips on getting legislators to listen to your message. Learn the most important tactics for communicating effectively with your elected officials and tips on what staffers hate to hear the most.
Sponsor: ALA’s Office of Government Relations (OGR)

Power of Persuasion 
2:30 – 3 p.m.
Dr. Ken Haycock, Research Professor of Management and Organization, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California
Six research-based principles have been proven to work in studies of library funding. Our advocacy efforts may be off base.

A Guided Tour of AASL's Advocacy Resources 
3 - 3:30 p.m.
Judi Repman, AASL Advocacy Committee Chair, Professor of Instructional Technology at Georgia Southern and other members of the Advocacy Committee
Join members of the AASL Advocacy Committee for a tour of AASL’s Advocacy Resources and share ideas for how these resources can be used. Sponsor: AASL

Unleash Advocacy for Your Library 
3:30 - 4 p.m.
Linden Renner, Deputy Director of Libraries, Alexandria Library, Alexandria, VA and Joan S. Weeks, Sr. Instruction Librarian, Library of Congress and Adjunct Faculty at the Catholic University School of Library and Information Science
Bring the challenges facing your library to this interactive networking session facilitated by ALA’s Committee on Library Advocacy (COLA) members Joan Weeks and Linden Renner. Learn how you can tap into ALA’s Advocacy University, which provides information, courses and tools to help library advocates at the local level.  Share your success stories to inspire and empower others. Sponsor: COLA

An Annual Grassroots Advocacy Campaign that Keeps Public $ Strong 
4– 4:30 p.m.
Peter Pearson, President, the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library
Peter Pearson will describe a process used for 18 years, which uses citizens to lobby for increased funding for the St. Paul Public Library. The process is simple and effective. Sponsor: ALTAFF

The ALA Membership Pavilion is booth 1939 in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

In this time of shrinking dollars and increasing competition, how can Library Board Trustees improve the likelihood of securing the funding your library needs? This session will present the principles of influence and share practical strategies for communicating with opinion leaders and key stakeholders.

Influencing Opinion Leaders: Practical Strategies for Library Board Trustees is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

Turning the Page 2.0 is a free advocacy training offered by PLA with generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In up to 18 hours spread over 6 weeks, participants in Turning the Page 2.0 learn about advocacy and develop Advocacy Work Plans. In this 30-minute informational session at the Advocacy Corner, attendees will hear an overview of the course, including how our facilitators will help you plan an advocacy project. Attendees can then request to be contacted when registration opens for the autumn course, which will run the weeks of Sept. 24 – Oct. 29.

Learn about Turning the Page 2.0, Public Library Association’s (PLA) free advocacy training program is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

Combining national/state statistics, your library’s statistics, and real-life examples provide the basis for truly powerful stories. Since 2007, local and state libraries across the nation have utilized national and state data from the Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study to help craft effective advocacy and marketing messages. Learn how to interpret the data, access new advocacy and marketing tools and make your library’s case to elected officials and community stakeholders. The Study is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ALA. Check it out at www.ala.org/plinternetfunding.

National Statistics for Local Advocacy? You Betcha! is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

Listen to the “Advocacy Guru” share valuable tips on getting legislators to listen to your message. Learn the most important tactics for communicating effectively with your elected officials and tips on what staffers hate to hear the most.

Winning the Influence Game: 10 D.C. Insider Strategies for Making a Difference for Libraries is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

Six research-based principles have been proven to work in studies of library funding. Our advocacy efforts may be off base.

Power of Persuasion is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

Join members of the AASL Advocacy Committee for a tour of AASL’s Advocacy Resources and share ideas for how these resources can be used.

A Guided Tour of AASL's Advocacy Resources is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

The annual Diversity and Outreach Fair celebrates library services, programs and collections to underserved and under-represented communities. Visit with program leaders, learn details and strategies for success, and consider how they might be repeated in your library community. Enjoy the festive atmosphere while networking and learning about these important programs! Sponsored by DEMCO, Inc.

Bring the challenges facing your library to this interactive networking session facilitated by ALA’s Committee on Library Advocacy (COLA) members Joan Weeks and Linden Renner. Learn how you can tap into ALA’s Advocacy University, which provides information, courses and tools to help library advocates at the local level. Share your success stories to inspire and empower others.

Unleash Advocacy for Your Library is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

Peter Pearson will describe a process used for 18 years, which uses citizens to lobby for increased funding for the St. Paul Public Library. The process is simple and effective.

An Annual Grassroots Advocacy Campaign that Keeps Public $ Strong is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

Hot Topics of interest to community & junior college librarians will be discussed; followed by a membership report from the National Council for Learning Resources (NCLR), the CJCLS voice in the American Association of Community Colleges.

Join the Edge coalition in Anaheim to learn how Edge will help libraries assess, improve and advocate for enhanced public access technology services for their communities. This session will include an update on the initiative; an overview of the executive tool that will help library leaders communicate with the local decision makers about the benefits of continually re-investing in public access technology; and a moderated panel discussion with pilot librarians, a member of the Edge coalition, and a member of the Library Directors Advisory Group.

Together with the library field, Edge is an effort driven by a coalition of leading library and local government organizations to develop the Edge benchmarks: a framework of best practices that will help libraries evaluate, continually improve and re-invest in their public technology services.

For more information about this public Edge session, please contact Alison Saffold at:asaffold@urbanlibraries.org or visit http://www.libraryedge.org.

When the libraries in the Santa Clarita Valley were taken over by a private company a group of Librarians and Patrons took the bull by the horns and made a change in legislation. This session will discuss what we did and the results of those efforts including passage of AB438. Major points of the discussion will be how the public involvement made the difference, and how we got them involved.

Keeping Public Libraries Public: What Advocacy by Librarians and Patrons did in California is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

Join expert library advocates for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them. A series of short discussions , workshops and Q&A sessions will take place, designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Location: ALA Member Pavilion, Exhibits Floor

Keeping Public Libraries Public: What Advocacy by Librarians and Patrons did in California
12 – 12:30 p.m.
Cindy Singer, Parent Outreach Coordinator, County of Los Angeles Public Library
When the libraries in the Santa Clarita Valley were taken over by a private company a group of Librarians and Patrons took the  bull by the horns and made a change in legislation.  This session will discuss what we did and the results of  those efforts including passage of AB438.  Major points of the discussion will be how the public involvement made the difference, and how we got them involved.

Storytelling – Utilizing Time Tested Methods to Personalize Legislative Appeal
12:30 – 1 p.m.
James Pletz, Director, The Library Network
Michigan Library Association has partnered with Gale Cengage to develop patron specific stories about the value of libraries in their daily lives. 1. Learn how to move from output measures to stories of positive outcomes. 2. Identify and build strategic community partnerships. 3. Provide a positive forum for patrons to champion library services. 4. Challenge key state holders with outcome based stories, which impact their value system and/or touch their personal beliefs.
Sponsor: Association for Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA)

Emerging Leaders Seeking States to Host Librarians Build Communities      
1 – 1:30 p.m.
Ingrid Abrams, Children’s Librarian, Brooklyn Public Library; Erin Davis, Reference Librarian, Utah State University; Eboni Dickerson, Team Leader I, Columbus Metropolitan Library; Jeffery Loo, Librarian, UC Berkeley Librarian; and Coral Sheldon-Hess, Web Services Librarian, UAA/APU Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage
The 2012 Emerging Leaders Team G is exploring ways to transform and extend the former American Library Association (ALA) annual volunteer service day, Libraries Build Communities, into Librarians Build Communities (LBC). LBC will replace the annual volunteer event at ALA, beginning with this year’s conference. The newly named and purposed LBC would provide libraries and other community organizations with librarian-volunteers all year round. Team G envisions Librarians Build Communities as a national volunteer program that connects librarians and library staff interested in volunteering with community organizations in need of their specialized skill sets. This is vital in times when organizations providing key services and resources to their communities lack funding and staff.
Sponsor: Chapter Relations Committee (CRC)

Louisiana Library Association‘s Legislative Days at the State Capitol
2 – 2:30 p.m.
Stephanie Braunstein, Head Government Documents/Microforms Librarian at Louisiana State University Libraries; ALA Chapter Councilor from Louisiana; member of LLA Legislative Committee and Melanie Sims, Government Information Librarian at Paul M. Hebert Law Center Library, Louisiana State University; Past-President of Louisiana Library Association and Co-Chair of LLA Legislative Committee
Every spring, Louisiana Library Association holds a legislative day at the State Capitol. In the simplest of terms, it is like a local version of the legislative day held by ALA in DC.  However, because of our local issues, we tailor our event to be most effective with our state legislature.  Examples include last year’s emphasis on renewing funding for our state consortium, LOUIS.  With budgets being slashed for education (both K-12 and higher ed), our Board of Regents voted to stop funding for LOUIS –a move that would essentially decimate library services to all academic libraries in the state. Since the Board of Regents gets its funding from the state, we lobbied for a reversal of this vote at not only the Board level but at the Legislature level as well. After an incredible amount of collaborative work, we won. This success story should be shared with others who may find themselves in similar situations and would benefit from our experiences. Sponsor: CRC

Speaking with One Voice: Tools & Strategies for Collaborative Communication
2:30 – 3 p.m.
Tiffany McClary, Director of Marketing & PR, New Jersey State Library
People are bombarded by various messages every day. How can we make sure our messages are heard, remembered, and effective in compelling the communities and governments we serve to value, support and sustain libraries? It’s simple: we can increase the visibility and repetition of our messages and maximize our communication impact through collaboration. When advocating for important causes, it’s imperative that all programs work together to deliver consistent messages that resonate. Learn how the New Jersey State Library is implementing a statewide marketing collateral library and marketing web portal to bridge the gap between libraries across the state and “speak with one voice”.

Committee Work that Works: Public Library Advocacy in Kentucky
3 – 3:30 p.m.
Lisa R. Rice, Director of the Warren County Public Library
Kentucky Public Library Association’s Advocacy Committee has become  a unifying force supporting Kentucky’s public libraries. Strategic planning, dynamic teamwork and marketing efforts have rallied public library supporters to articulate the library’s value to elected and appointed officials.

The ALA Membership Pavilion is booth 1939 in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

Michigan Library Association has partnered with Gale Cengage to develop patron specific stories about the value of libraries in their daily lives. 1. Learn how to move from output measures to stories of positive outcomes. 2. Identify and build strategic community partnerships. 3. Provide a positive forum for patrons to champion library services. 4. Challenge key state holders with outcome based stories, which impact their value system and/or touch their personal beliefs.

Storytelling – Utilizing Time Tested Methods to Personalize Legislative Appeal is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

Every spring, Louisiana Library Association holds a legislative day at the State Capitol. In the simplest of terms, it is like a local version of the legislative day held by ALA in DC. However, because of our local issues, we tailor our event to be most effective with our state legislature. Examples include last year’s emphasis on renewing funding for our state consortium, LOUIS. With budgets being slashed for education (both K-12 and higher ed), our Board of Regents voted to stop funding for LOUIS –a move that would essentially decimate library services to all academic libraries in the state. Since the Board of Regents gets its funding from the state, we lobbied for a reversal of this vote at not only the Board level but at the Legislature level as well. After an incredible amount of collaborative work, we won. This success story should be shared with others who may find themselves in similar situations and would benefit from our experiences.

Louisiana Library Association‘s Legislative Days at the State Capitol is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

People are bombarded by various messages every day. How can we make sure our messages are heard, remembered, and effective in compelling the communities and governments we serve to value, support and sustain libraries? It’s simple: we can increase the visibility and repetition of our messages and maximize our communication impact through collaboration. When advocating for important causes, it’s imperative that all programs work together to deliver consistent messages that resonate. Learn how the New Jersey State Library is implementing a statewide marketing collateral library and marketing web portal to bridge the gap between libraries across the state and “speak with one voice”.

Speaking with One Voice: Tools & Strategies for Collaborative Communication is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.

Kentucky Public Library Association’s Advocacy Committee has become a unifying force supporting Kentucky’s public libraries. Strategic planning, dynamic teamwork and marketing efforts have rallied public library supporters to articulate the library’s value to elected and appointed officials.

Committee Work that Works: Public Library Advocacy in Kentucky is part of the Advocacy Corner, a series of short discussions, workshops and Q&A sessions designed to improve advocacy skills and to showcase current advocacy initiatives from all facets of the profession. Join expert library advocates from across the association for face-to-face conversations about the latest issues affecting libraries and ways to deal with them in the ALA Membership Pavilion (Booth #1939) in the Anaheim Convention Center. The event takes place from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from Noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 24.