Hammer, Vise, Lever: Better Tools, Stronger Advocacy

Saturday, January 28, 2023

3:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Location: Morial Convention Center, Room 291-292

Level of Participation: Medium

Both the stakes and pace of legislative advocacy for libraries have accelerated in recent years. Relationships with decision makers are foundational to advocacy that yields results, and effective advocates draw on a carefully honed set of tools to nurture those relationships, reach other decision makers, mobilize advocates, and communicate a unified message. From software to social media to elbow grease, advocacy experts and practitioners will share tips and tools that individual advocates and organizations can harness to elevate--or fine tune--their own legislative advocacy.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will gain a deeper understanding about recent trends in legislative advocacy through group conversation and direct exchanges with peers.
Participants will develop a nuanced understanding of the applications of different tools and tactics for different situations.
Participants will leave the session with an expanded toolbox for legislative advocacy and best practices for implementing those tools.

Staff Liaison(s)

MC

Megan Murray Cusick, MLIS (she/her/hers)

Deputy Director, State Advocacy
ALA Public Policy & Advocacy

Content Leader(s)

SY

Steven D. Yates, PhD, MLIS (he/him/his)

Associate Professor and Assistant Director
University of Alabama SLIS
Jessica Ross, PhD, MLIS (she/her/hers)

Director
Washington County Public Library (AL)
Lisa Varga, MLS

Executive Director
Virginia Library Association
Chris Stewart (he/him/his)

Grassroots Communication Manager
Public Policy and Advocacy, American Library Association