Building the Local Library Coalition

PALA 2016 - Directors I

John Chrastka@mrchrastka | @everylibrary

Building voter support for libraries

● First Nationwide PAC for Libraries

● Set up as a c4 rather than a c3

● 41 Campaigns to date 33 wins

● $100 million in stable tax funding

● Pro Bono Approach

Voter Data that Frames Our Discussion

“From Awareness to Funding” says…

Building voter support for libraries

Voter AttitudesNationwide, of all voters:

37% will Definitely vote yes for the library37% will Probably vote yes for the library

26% will Probably or Definitely vote no or may vote either way.

Building voter support for libraries

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

Probable and Super Supporters• They are involved in their communities

• They recognize the library’s importance to the community and to a child’s

education

• They are not always heavy users of the library, but believe the library is a

noble place, important and relevant to the community

Building voter support for libraries

Probable and Super Supporters• They recognize the value of a ‘passionate librarian’ as a true advocate for

lifelong learning

• They see the library as a vital community resource like public schools, fire and

police, and are willing to increase their taxes to support the library.

- OCLC "From Awareness to Funding" p7-4

Building voter support for libraries

How Do We Find Those People?

Building voter support for libraries

Drink Coffee

Building voter support for libraries

Drink Coffee w/ Partners1. Educational Partners2. Social Welfare and Religious Partners3. Governmental Partners4. Civic Partners5. Business Partners6. Politicians 7. Media

Building voter support for libraries

#everylibrary

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.

Power Mapping Who are the Stakeholders?

Who Cares about Education?1. Educational Partners

Pre-K and K-12

College/University

For-Profit Tutoring

Private/Public After-School Programs

Three Messages: Library as Educational Partner, Library as Resource Extender, Library as Gap Filler

Building voter support for libraries

2. Social Welfare and Religious Partners

Counseling Centers

Food Pantry / WIC

Jobs Training Center

Literacy Centers

Youth Oriented

Human Services

Three Messages: Library as Resource Extender, Library as Third Place, Library as Start Point

Building voter support for libraries

Who Cares about the Same Populations?

3. Governmental Partners

Parks and Recc

Public Safety – Police and Fire

Public Works

Public Employee Unions

Tribal Government

Transit and Development

Three Messages: Library as Contact Place, Library as Info Point, Library in Common Cause

Building voter support for libraries

Who Cares What Your Tax Rate is?

4. Civic Partners

Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis

Military Family Support

Heritage and Local History

GLBT, Immigrant and New Resident

Arts & Culture

Environment and Livable Communities

Three Messages: Library as Social Leveler, Library as Neutral Good, Library as [insert organizational cause the library already champions]

Building voter support for libraries

Who Wants to Change the World a Bit?

5. Business Partners

Local Chamber / CVB

Startups and Entrepreneurs

Small Businesses – Service or Retail

Big Civilian Employers & Military

Realtors

Three Messages: Librarian as Business Reference Resource, Library as Training Space, Library as Retail Anchor

Building voter support for libraries

Who Doesn’t Know about Libraries?

6. Politicians

Incumbents

Insurgents

City / County / State / Federal

Three Messages: Library as Good Governance, Library as Responsible with Budget, Library as [insert their pet project]

Building voter support for libraries

Who has Constituents?

7. Media and Local Networks

Print, Radio and TV

Social Media Groups

Bloggers

Networkers, Connectors (Gossips)

Key Messaging is always your campaign themes and talking points

Building voter support for libraries

Who Needs to Hear it First?

Keep it Relevant

Getting Endorsed

● Vision for the community is the key story to tell

● You will either have more money than people, or more people than money

● Elections are won through coalitions

● Endorsements drive legitimacy

● Proxies who to speak for the candidate are necessary

Building voter support for libraries

Extending Your InfluenceWhat systems exist in your community that align with libraries? Where are your natural partnerships? Who are you regularly frustrated with?

State and Local Systems:

Boards and Commissions

Coalitions of Common Cause

Coalitions of Common Concern

What Coalitions are Right for You?Economic Development

Early Literacy and Early Childhood

Grade Level Reading

Housing and Food Security

Immigration

Safety and Violence

Where do we go first?

Who goes?

action.everylibrary.org

John ChrastkaEveryLibrary

www.everylibrary.orgfacebook/everylibrary

@everylibrary

Building voter support for libraries

Thank You