I FOUGHT THE LAW:Advocacy for academic librarians

Lily Morgan,

Independence Community College Library

SELF-DEFENSE 101: “Safety” is an illusion

“Apply a two question test to determine if you need to advocate: is someone making decisions that affect you? If not, could they? Answering yes to either question means that you need to make your case” (Kramer, 2013).

PREVENT THE FIGHT: Advocate NOW• Who should be your advocates?

• Administration (especially your immediate supervisor)

• Faculty & staff

• Marketing, Recruitment, & IR departments

• Governing Boards

• Students!

• Alumni, community members, & more!

• How do you get more advocates?• Improve your library look & vibe

• Show off with an open house & other events (or at in-service?)

• Incorporate marketing into every transaction (take a lesson from the public libraries!)

• Expand the reach of your marketing

• GATHER USAGE STATS LIKE CRAZY & assess how the library impacts student outcomes- market your results!

• Get out there & schmooze with decision-makers: be positive, genuine, enthusiastic, & full of ideas!

MORE ON MARKETING: Frame it right• Keep the message student-centric

• Talk about the library’s support of the school’s: • Mission/Vision

• Strategic plan

• Student outcomes

• Talk about how the Library saves $$

• Stats, stats, stats! What stats will really help you show value?

• Talk about what the library needs to improve services

• Ask for input- good ideas can come from anywhere…

PREPARE FOR BATTLE: Plan ahead• What would you do if administration suggested cuts to…

• Space

• Staff

• Resources/Budget funds, etc.?

• Do a SWOT analysis of the library & make a plan

• How can you use principles of negotiation & persuasion with decision-makers?

• Who could help you respond to threats effectively & whom would you approach to advocate on behalf of the library?

• Keep asking for MORE- make sure your administration knows your needs, & have alternative, smaller “asks” prepared as well

IF YOU MUST FIGHT: Be COOL…

• KEEP CALM (at least until you get home)

• Make sure you understand all the details- ask questions!

• Ask for time to respond/think about things

• Talk to your immediate supervisor

• Plan your response VERY carefully

• STAY RESPECTFUL: Remember that egos can be fragile at any level &avoid causing offence- angry people don’t listen...

• Use a negotiating stance & offer alternative solutions

• Know how far you’re willing to go & when to give up the fight ()

OTHER THOUGHTS/QUESTIONS: ?

• Rethink your current stats and assessment- make sure you’re assessing and addressing what the collegefinds valuable, not just “doing what we’ve always done”

• Find/know what your peer institutions are doing-can you use these comparisons to your advantage?

• How can you embed yourself/library services more into college life, particularly with faculty & instruction?Increase the Library’s presence in online classes?

• Think about possible partnerships with other college departments-how could you work together to cross promote/share services?Consider “roving” services in other departments like Tutoring?

REFERENCES- And recommended reading

• Kirchner, T. (1999). Advocacy 101 for academic librarians. College & Research Libraries News, 60(10), 844.

• Kramer, J. (2013, March 13). Why Advocate for Libraries? | Advocate’s Corner. Retrieved May 26, 2015, from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2013/03/opinion/advocates-corner/why-advocate-for-libraries-advocates-corner/#_

• Todaro, J. (2003). The Personal Persuasion: Toolkit advancing the academic library agenda from the front lines. Association of College and Research Libraries. Retrieved May 26, 2015, from http://www.ala.org/acrl/sites/ala.org.acrl/files/content/issues/marketing/advocacy_toolkit.pdf

• Other ACRL advocacy documents from their website!

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