Learning Objectives

• Recognize the importance of building relationships.
• Locate organizations and associations which offer opportunities for support and build relationships with library peers.

Download the Advocacy Checklist Notes from the exercise files at the bottom of this page.  As you learn about finding support, building relationships, and the resources available, use the checklist notes to keep track of learning.

Download The Advocacy Action Plan Workbook from the exercise files at the bottom of this page.  As you go through the class you will use this workbook to begin creating your advocacy plan.

Finding Support

When searching for a library organization that will support your goals and interests, seek out an organization that will allow you to:

• network with other library staff.
• improve your education and experiences as a librarian or library staff member.  
• gain knowledge to increase the value and relevance of your library.

Below is a list of organizations that you can use to get started

Stay Connected is a great way to share your ideas with other library staff, and ask questions. Signing up for INFOhio's E-List will provide you with updates about INFOhio resources, as well as a look at how other libraries are using these resources with their students.

Ohio Educational Library Media Association (OELMA) has a special focus on Ohio school librarians providing opportunities for support, advocacy, and professional development opportunities.

American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is a division of the American Library Association (ALA) that strives to empower school librarians and the school library community to keep the library as the center-driven force for teaching and learning.

EveryLibrary is the first, and only, national organization dedicated to building voter support for libraries. EveryLibrary helps public, school and college libraries secure new state, federal and governmental funding.

ilovelibraries is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) and is useful for those who have just started their journey of advocating for their library. This site provides information about promoting the value of your library, issues that affect your library, and ideas on how to advocate for change.

Building Relationships

Not only is it important to network with other librarians and join organizations and associations to advocate for the importance of the library, it is also important to build relationships with stakeholders, teaching staff, parents, and students.

• Build a relationship with stakeholders such as your school principal, the board of trustees, and other school community members to secure funding, obtain support for initiatives and programs, and to maintain adequate library staff.
• Build a relationship with the teaching staff to encourage partnerships. Empower staff to contribute to initiatives and programs in your school library.  
• Build a relationship with students and parents to develop your library's biggest advocates.

1. Read page 7 of your copy of the Advocacy Action Plan Workbook . Complete Action Step #3: Name your key audience and Determine who your audience is.

Students

The school library provides additional reading support and builds digital literacy. Helping students become familiar with your library provides the students with access to all of the quality resources available. One way to build a relationship with students is to hold a library orientation each year to share what is new, novel, and notable. Christa McAuliffe created a blog post describing the process of creating a meaningful orientation for your students and teachers.

Staff

Partnering with staff on classroom projects creates the foundation for lifelong a relationship between librarian and teacher. Take a moment to review the article Collaboration: Building Relationships One Person at a Time, this article provides a clearer understanding of how to build relationships with teaching staff. 

Parents

Parents can also become one of your most vital advocates for your library. They are able to assist with special initiatives and become a voice for your library when communicating with school stakeholders. Helping parents understand how their child will benefit from your school library and what resources are available may require explicit instruction from you. Consider these examples and tips to help you work closely with parents.

• Read about this father's account of how a school librarian made a difference in his daughter's life.
• To improve communication with parents review these tips.
• If you are struggling to provide parents with reasons why your library is important to their child's education take a look at the 10 Reasons to Visit and Use Your School Library. 

1. Read pages 8-11 of your copy of the Advocacy Action Plan Workbook and complete Action Step #4: What are your key messages?

Community

Building relationships with communities can begin when libraries emphasize the ways programs and resources lift up key initiatives in the community. One helpful resource to frame community connections is ilovelibraries 5 E's of libraries: education, employment, empowerment, engagement, and entrepreneurship. Each of these terms refer to how the library contributes to the educational growth of the community and encourages lifelong learning. In addition, consider these examples of programs to include your community in the initiatives of your library.

• Lorain County created a literacy awareness campaign in their county called "Literacy Rocks," where child care centers, libraries, individual families, and even local businesses painted and displayed rocks to show their support for raising literacy rates in Lorain County. To see all the photos from the participants take a look at their Facebook page.
• One Book, One Community programs can connect schools, public libraries, businesses, community agencies and individuals in reading and learning about a topic or concept. 

1. Read pages 14-17 of your copy of the Advocacy Action Plan Workbook . Complete Action Step #6: Name Your Network and Action Step #7: Stay Connected.

Reflecting on Your Learning

Answer the following questions in the INFOhio School Library Basics Open Space group Discussions. Find the Building Relationships reflection question in the Discussions tab. Reply to the thread and review other participants' responses.

1. After learning about INFOhio, OELMA, AASL, EveryLibrary and ilovelibraries, what organization would you consider joining for support and networking opportunities? What interested you in this organization?
2. What are some techniques that you plan to use to build relationships with stakeholders and teaching staff?
3. How do you plan to build relationships with your students going forward?