This is part two of a bookend keynote at #azla2015 where we connect the networking and schmoozing skills learned in the first session and practiced throughout the conference. We talk about how to keep those connections going, building networks, and supporting each other in the profession.
For speaking engagements please contact PC Sweeney at https://pcsweeney.com/speaking-at-your-event/
7. Civic Attitudes
● 94% of Parents say libraries are important for
their children. 79% say “very important”. 2
● 58% of Americans have a library card. 3
● 62% of card holders have visited the library in
the last year at least once.4
2. Pew, May 2013
3 and 4. Harris Interactive | ALA, January 2011
Building voter support for libraries
8. Voter Attitudes
Nationwide, of all voters:
37% will Definitely vote yes for the library
37% will Probably vote yes for the library
26% will Probably or Definitely vote no or
may vote either way.
Building voter support for libraries
This presentation is going to be a big thank you to everyone who has worked with me on so many projects to MIH and what I learned from these experiences
About me and Everylibrary
98% of library funding comes from the local level and completely dependent on local ballot issues and local politics. Your local voters matter most. When votes are that important, why aren’t we talking about it?!?!
Today is the first day of your library campaign – Examples – People hate the education system, but love their teacher – People hate the Medical System but love their physician
There are only two things politicians respond to
Which can we expect to get? People – how do we get more people on our side?
This is why I talk about library marketing in terms of community organizing and not in terms of sales. This doesn’t follow a sales cycle this is about continued engagement in libraries – a belief system
It’s time for us to get more connected and organized and it starts with us!
The first thing you need to do is identify your supporters or find them or build them
This all comes out of ALATT and my experiences with other librarians.
Incredible things happen to those who show up - I showed up to ALA Council and Aaron Dobbs made me run for council story
Meeting JP Story
Who helped introduce me to a lot of people - First ALA Story Vs Second ALA Story
Why be friends and not just colleagues – invite people to hang out, be friends
Social media (facebook groups, groupme), email, phone, text, etc… Don’t be scared to just message people
Congratulate people when they win something or do something. Sometimes, even when you think it could have or should have been done better. Let them have their success – Train Library Story
People love feeling useful, – Ben Franklin book story
If you see someone is having a hard time, offer your help – DON’T JUST GIVE UNSOLICITED ADVICE!!!
You won’t be able to control the projects or events or groups – ALATT story (why its not heavily moderated or controlled or professional or unprofessional)
There are a lot of great events to attend, conferences and the typical thing but… Network After Work Story
If you can’t find events you want to attend, create your own. Bay Area Librarians Story
If there are events that you think should be better, create insurgent groups to help take it over or make the event the way you want it. – CLA Backchannel story
Let people know that you remember them, its great to get a FB post tagged about some great experience we shared
There are a lot of great opportunities, take advantage of them, be open to them.
Organize your supporters in order to engage them more systematically
Let’s go one deeper – Get even more organized
My examples of success
This presentation is going to be a big thank you to everyone who has worked with me on so many projects to MIH and what I learned from these experiences