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Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians 1
What is Advocacy Training?What is Advocacy Training? creating a common agenda
with school and education decision-makers
delivering the right message to the right person
lobbying effectively in a different political and economic environment
community partnerships and collaboration
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Why is Advocacy Training Needed?
Why is Advocacy Training Needed?
School library services are being de-valued in the current educational environment.
There are misconceptions about the internet and its role in information delivery.
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Why is Advocacy Training Needed?
Why is Advocacy Training Needed? There is a technology
bandwagon in Education, but there isn’t always a coherent plan for introducing it, maintaining or upgrading it.
The library’s role in implementing technology and providing training is not clear.
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What is ...What is ...
Public Relations Getting the library’s
message across This is who we are and
what we do, this is when and where we do it and for whom...
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What is... What is...
Marketing finding out what the
customer needs who are you, and
what do you need, how, where and when can we best deliver it to you [and what are you willing to pay?]
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Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians 6
Advocacy is:Advocacy is: telling a library story creating conditions that
allow others to act on your behalf
expanding someone’s consciousness
evoking or creating memories
confirming your identity enhancing awareness,
appreciation, support
an exercise in creativity and initiative
an art and a science creating relationships,
partnerships, coalitions respecting other people’s
views, priorities and reasons
a responsibility of leaders about potential and the
future: the survival of school libraries
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Copyright © 2002 American Association of School Librarians 7
Roles in AdvocacyRoles in Advocacy Advocacy is built and sustained
over a time and requires the effort of many people at many levels.
It’s not the amount but the consistency of the effort, and the consistency of the message.
many issues which, if allowed to continue, will actually prevent students from becoming information literate and from becoming lifelong learners.
Do we all agree on the message?
Because Student
Achievement Is the
Bottom Line.
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IssuesIssues SLMS not included in
curriculum planning outdated image of SMLS decision-makers lack
understanding of technology and information literacy skills
site-base decision-making diffuses support for school libraries
money goes to technology school library professionals
being replaced lack of support staff internet seen as panacea lack of on-site technical
support lack of technology training library facilities outdated
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The Advocacy PlanThe Advocacy Plan
Advocacy is about RESPECT
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The Advocacy PlanThe Advocacy Plan
Do we all have the same understanding of the issue?
Do we all agree that action must be taken?
Do we have the time to dedicate to a serious planning effort?
Will we make the time?
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The 5-step Advocacy PlanThe 5-step Advocacy Plan
Objective: have a clear, measurable objective.
Target Group(s): know who is important in the achieving of your objective.
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The 5-step Advocacy PlanThe 5-step Advocacy Plan
Strategies What? the obstacles When? Where? Who? How? the message
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The 5-step Advocacy PlanThe 5-step Advocacy PlanCommunication
Tools: never start your planning with the communication tool. It’s Step # 4.
Evaluation: make it an integral part of the planning process from the outset
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The Washington MomsThe Washington Moms Spokane Rally
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Sample Advocacy Action Plan #1:Beulah Community by Judi Haver
Sample Advocacy Action Plan #1:Beulah Community by Judi Haver
Program: Satellite library serving both school and public (located in H. S.) Target Audience: High school students (both home school and public school)
High School Students' Agenda: Satellite Library Agenda:
Learn computer skills for school workOpportunities for more credit hoursMore help with projects
Increase usage of library by studentsDevelop clientele outside of school community
Proposed activities:Provide Spanish language tutoring for students taking Spanish and home schoolers looking for credit.
Host a workshop for developing computer skills for parents and students.
Develop a Teen Advisory Board for the Satellite library consisting of both home schoolers and public school teens. Purpose is to develop a student help blog and other activities.
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Sample Advocacy Action Plan #2:Ashland-Greenwood Technology Program by Matt Flynn
Sample Advocacy Action Plan #2:Ashland-Greenwood Technology Program by Matt Flynn
Program: Technology Program in a rural bi-community middle school Target Audience: Parents of middle school students
Parents’ Agenda: Technology Program Agenda:
Children’s high academic achievementTrust administrators and teachersKeep up with technology so they can help students and make sure they are safe
Provide help and tools so students can achieve to their potentialMore funds for the aboveMore parental involvement for the above
Proposed activities:Do a series of articles about technology tips for parents in the monthly newsletter.
Begin a homework help night and ask for parent/student volunteers to assist.
Do evening training on Power School, popular software, parental safeguards, and use of ipods and 2.0 technology in doing homework.
Do 1-3 above before bond vote for more technology funds.
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Sample Advocacy Action Plan #3:Elementary Library Media Center by Pam Klenner
Sample Advocacy Action Plan #3:Elementary Library Media Center by Pam Klenner
Program: Library Media Program in an elementary school Target Audience: New teachers
New Teachers’ Agenda: Library Media Program Agenda:
Learn new curriculumLearn how school resources can help them teachGet to know personnel in the school
Build positive relationships with staff in order to increase collaborationIncrease student interactionIncrease LMC usage
Proposed activities:Include 30 min. tour of LMC on new staff orientation day, including brochure of library services and resources.
LMS meet with new teachers individually to introduce herself and offer overview of curriculum and description of collaboration process.
LMS provide in-service for new teachers on the programs and technology used in the building and district.
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SummarySummaryAn effective advocate:
– knows how to access and use necessary resources
– knows how to contact key decision-makers
– writes an effective letter to a decision-maker
– gets the right information to the decision-maker
– knows who can get to the key decision-makers
– understands the environment of the decision-maker
– says “thank you”.... often
– understands the importance of timing
– is never a lone wolf and never cries “wolf”
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AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsThese slides were developed to accompany a training manual
used as part of the AASL Information Power Training Institute, July 1998. AASL acknowledges the contributions of:– the American Library Association,– the Canadian Library Association,– the Leadership Learning Center,– Pat Cavill Consulting and– Ken Haycock and Associates
to the development of these materials and
Dr. Sheryl R. Crow for the 2009 update.