takin’ it to the streets: how to talk to your legislator rural libraries conference spring 2009
TRANSCRIPT
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Takin’ It to the Streets: How to Talk to Your Legislator
Rural Libraries Conference
Spring 2009
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My Experience with Advocacy
5 years at the Harrison Community Library – Assistant Director, then Director.
2 years as Director of the Northland Library Cooperative, then headquartered in Alpena.
Academic library representative on MLA’s Legislative Committee (formerly Public Policy Committee)
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Types of Advocacy
An advocate is someone who supports or defends a particular cause.
How advocacy activities may happen: Passive – “living by example.” Active – taking an official stance and making
proactive attempts to advance your position. Reactionary – taking a stand on an issue under
duress, or on short notice.
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Get Informed
Government is not “at a distance” – WE are the government. Watch the news, read the papers, read relevant
websites and blogs. Talk with your colleagues. Talk with others at meetings and social events. Test your ideas – talk with others, including those
whom you know may disagree with you.
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Where’s your cheering squad? Don’t hesitate to turn to outside sources for
assistance. Your colleagues – particularly in a small.
community, you may want to work together. Your cooperative – staying abreast of legislative
developments is part of the coop mission. Your library association: the Michigan Library
Association (MLA) – works specifically as an advocate for libraries, and employs a lobbying firm to assist in this effort.
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Make the “usual” visual Make your library visible to your legislators.
Include them in your newsletter mailing list. Invite them to tour your library. Invite them to a board of trustees meeting. Invite them to events. Invite them to be a guest reader at storytime. Invite them to hold office hours and townhall
meetings at your library.
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Crafting Your Message Make it brief and to the point. Be sure your legislator knows that you are a
member of his/her community. Thank your legislator for his/her past support
(or at least for the good work they do for your community).
Invite your legislator to contact you. Specifically ask for your legislator’s support.
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Plan a Visit to the Capital Call ahead for an appointment. Bring ID with you – you may need this at the
building entrance. Understand that you may have to wait even
with an appointment – legislative schedules can change quickly.
Bring printed examples with you if you think they will help.
Be polite and concise in stating the reason for your visit.
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Plan a Visit to the Capital Understand that you may talk with an aide
rather than your legislator. Aides do a lot of important work for their legislator – some may be more knowledgeable about your issue than your legislator!
Many aides run for office – you may be talking to your future legislator.
Leave your contact information and offer to be a resource.
Say thank you.
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Establish a Connection Legislators are regular folks. Legislators don’t know everything – they rely
on information from others to do their job. You may know your legislator personally, or
know someone who does – use these connections.
Get to know your legislator – know what interests him/her. Learn what committees s/he is on.
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Establish a Connection Listen to your legislator – be on the lookout
for connection points. Try to understand his/her point of view if s/he
disagrees with you, but be sure to stick to your position. Your legislator needs to hear from all sides.
Use personal examples. Be credible – avoid making statements or
claims that you cannot prove or follow through.
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In Conclusion
Advocate for what you believe in! Get informed and organized. Keep your correspondence and
conversations relevant and to the point. Make it personal. Keep at it! Say thank you.
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Questions?
Jennifer L.Dean
Head, Collection Development & Acquisitions
Saginaw Valley State University
Melvin J. Zahnow Library
989-964-7092