Todays Presenters John Chrastka Executive Director, EveryLibrary - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Todays Presenters John Chrastka Executive Director, EveryLibrary - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Dec 28, 2022 217 likes •589 views

Todays Presenters John Chrastka Executive Director, EveryLibrary Carrie Andrew Director, Lone Cone Library District, Norwood, CO Building voter support for libraries Build Your Political Literacy Skills for Advocacy John Chrastka |

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Today’s Presenters

John Chrastka

Executive Director, EveryLibrary

Carrie Andrew

Director, Lone Cone Library District, Norwood, CO

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Build Your Political Literacy Skills for Advocacy

John Chrastka | @everylibrary Carrie Andrew | carrie@loneconelibrary.org

Building voter support for libraries

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About EveryLibrary

  • First Nationwide Super PAC for

Libraries

  • Set up as a c4 rather than a c3
  • 61 Campaigns to date 41 wins
  • $210+ million in stable tax funding
  • Pro Bono Approach
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About Lone Cone Library District

  • Rural library in SW Colorado
  • Service Area = 2000
  • 2 Full-time, 5 part-time employees
  • 2016 passed a ballot issue for operating

and facility construction

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Voter Data that Frames Our Discussion

“From Awareness to Funding” says…

Building voter support for libraries

@everylibrary

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Library Use Does Not Matter

A voter’s willingness to support increased library funding is not driven, or limited, by library use.

  • OCLC "From Awareness to Funding" p. 7-2

Building voter support for libraries

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Library as Transformative Force

[T]he library is not perceived as just a provider

  • f practical answers and information; the

most committed supporters hold the belief that the library is a transformational force.

  • OCLC "From Awareness to Funding" p. 7-4

Building voter support for libraries

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Attitude - Not Demographics

The factors that determine residents’ willingness to increase their taxes to support their local library are their perceptions and attitudes about the library and the librarian.

  • OCLC "From Awareness to Funding" p. 7-3

Building voter support for libraries

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[Voters] recognize the value of a ‘passionate librarian’ as a true advocate for lifelong learning.

  • OCLC "From Awareness to Funding" p. 7-4

Building voter support for libraries

Perception of the Librarian(s)

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What Activates Voters?

Seven Factors: ▪ A Reason to Vote ▪ Mobilized ▪ Personal Contact with Candidate or Issue* ▪ Culture/Tradition/Habit of Voting* ▪ Trust in Government ▪ Decided to Vote ▪ Weather/Access to Polls

Building voter support for libraries

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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.

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  • 1. An Identified Need
  • 2. Personal Motivation
  • 3. Experience of the Issue*
  • 4. Prior Success as an Advocate*
  • 5. Institutional Reputation
  • 6. Made a Pledge
  • 7. Ease of Access to Advocacy Tools

What Activates Advocates?

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ADVOCATES: 1. An Identified Need 2. Personal Motivation 3. Experience of the Issue* 4. Prior Success as Advocate* 5. Institutional Reputation 6. Made a Pledge 7. Ease of Access to Tools

Activate in Either Context

VOTERS:

  • 1. A Reason to Vote
  • 2. Mobilization
  • 3. Personal Contact with Candidate*
  • 4. Culture/Tradition/Habit of Voting*
  • 5. Trust in Government (pro or con)
  • 6. Decided to Vote
  • 7. Weather/Access to Polls
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“Librarian as Candidate”

Building voter support for libraries

@everylibrary

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What Activates Voters for a Library Measure?

The Librarian is the Candidate The Library is the Incumbent Library = Librarians + Community

@everylibrary

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How Candidates “Surface”

  • Write the book
  • Tell their story
  • Be seen as an expert
  • Start an Exploratory Team
  • Get endorsed
  • Launch their Campaign

@everylibrary

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*What is Your Book?

Strategic Plan Management Plan Service/Programs/Collections Plan Fundraising Goals Financials and Fiduciary

Building voter support for libraries

@everylibrary

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In Practice: Norwood

  • Aligned organization to a powerful mission
  • Partnered with community organizations
  • Conducted capital feasibility study-
  • 70 stakeholder interviews
  • Greatest holder of public knowledge
  • Joined a number of community boards to

move community goals forward

  • Integral and respected community leader
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“Library as Cause”

Building voter support for libraries

@everylibrary

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To Library Users:

  • “As you know...”
  • Personal Value Proposition
  • Value for Other
  • Activation as a Voter

To Non-Users:

  • “As you can imagine...”
  • Value to/for “Other”
  • Satisfaction as a Voter

Remember – Use Does Not Matter

Building voter support for libraries

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What Activates Voters for a Library Issue?

  • Is the reason for the tax - and process to get there -

legitimate?

  • Is there a difference between Plan A and Plan B?
  • Where is my money going? and

Who is spending my money?

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Identify Your Team with 5 Quick Questions

  • Q1. Why is the library important to you, personally?
  • Q2. What is your favorite reason to use the library?
  • Q3. Who does the Library serve? *
  • Q4. Why is the library important to those people?
  • Q5. What will new funding do to serve those communities?

Building voter support for libraries

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How Do We Find Those People?

Building voter support for libraries

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Drink Coffee

Building voter support for libraries

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Drink Coffee w/ Partners

  • 1. Educational Partners
  • 2. Social Welfare and Religious Partners
  • 3. Governmental Partners
  • 4. Civic (clubs) Partners
  • 5. Business Partners
  • 6. Politicians
  • 7. Media

Building voter support for libraries

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Drink More Coffee

I Like what you’re doing ---> I Support what you are doing ---> I Want to identify us with what you are doing.

@everylibrary

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In Practice: Norwood

  • Be intentional in seeking out

community influencers

  • Recruit formal and informal

advocates from different sectors

  • Tailored a message for each

sector of the community

  • Be prepared to answer the

tough questions

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Extending Your Influence

Building voter support for libraries

@everylibrary

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All Issues are won by Coalitions

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Extending Your Influence

What systems already exist in your community or statewide that align with libraries? Where are your natural partnerships? State and Local Systems: Boards and Commissions Coalitions of Common Cause Coalitions of Common Concern

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What Coalitions are Right for You?

Economic Development Early Literacy and Early Childhood Grade Level Reading Housing and Food Security Immigration Safety and Violence

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In Practice: Norwood

  • Establish library as community asset through partnership
  • Other community leaders advocated for cause because worth

was evident

  • Resolutions of support from the School board and the Town

board

  • Neutralize objectors when possible
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Guiding Principle: Dread Pirate Roberts

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action.everylibrary.org

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norwood.colibraries.org

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John Chrastka, EveryLibrary Carrie Andrew, Lone Cone Library District

john.chrastka@everylibrary carrie@loneconelibrary.org

Building voter support for libraries

Thank You