Describes the need for advocacy for school libraries and librarians, and explains how to develop effective advocacy messages and strategies. It outlines ways school librarians can work with stakeholders to obtain funds and resources to support the library program.
Understanding the Role of School Librarians in Advocacy: This topic explores the fundamental role of school librarians as advocates for literacy, information literacy, and intellectual freedom, and the importance of advocacy in accomplishing these goals.
Advocacy Strategies: This topic delves into different advocacy strategies that can be used by school librarians to promote the value of the library, its resources, and its services, including community outreach, public relations, social media, and partnerships.
Developing an Advocacy Plan: This topic covers the steps involved in developing an effective advocacy plan, including identifying key stakeholders, crafting messages, setting goals, and implementing the plan.
Collaboration and Partnerships: This topic explores the importance of collaboration and partnerships in advocacy efforts, including working with teachers, administrators, parents, community members, and other stakeholders to advocate for the library.
Legislative Issues: This topic covers legislative issues that impact school librarianship and advocacy efforts, including funding, policies, and regulations.
Intellectual Freedom: This topic explores the importance of intellectual freedom as a cornerstone of school librarianship and its role in advocacy efforts, including defending against censorship and promoting access to diverse perspectives and materials.
Public Relations and Marketing: This topic covers the fundamentals of public relations and marketing, including building a brand, crafting a message, and utilizing various channels to reach target audiences.
Advocacy Metrics and Evaluation: This topic explores the ways in which school librarians can measure and evaluate the impact of their advocacy efforts, using data to demonstrate the library's value and to inform future advocacy activities.
Professional Development: This topic covers the importance of ongoing professional development in advocacy for school librarians, including staying up-to-date on trends, best practices, and emerging technologies.
Library Trends and Issues: This topic explores current and emerging trends and issues in school librarianship, including digital resources, emerging technologies, the changing role of librarians, and the impact of COVID-19 on the library.
Intellectual Freedom Advocacy: This type of advocacy focuses on preserving the right to access and express ideas and information freely without any censorship or restrictions.
Reading Advocacy: This type of advocacy promotes the love for reading and its importance in lifelong learning, literacy, and academic achievement.
Information Literacy Advocacy: This type of advocacy focuses on building skills that equip learners with the ability to access, evaluate, and use information effectively, efficiently, and ethically.
Digital Citizenship Advocacy: This type of advocacy cultivates responsible, safe, and ethical use of technology as well as mindfulness about online privacy, cyberbullying, digital footprints, and other related issues.
Outreach Advocacy: This type of advocacy involves engaging diverse communities and showcasing the value and impact of library services and resources.
Collaborative Advocacy: This type of advocacy involves partnering with other organizations or individuals to address common issues or achieve common goals related to education, literacy, and social justice.
Equity and Inclusion Advocacy: This type of advocacy seeks to ensure that library services and resources are accessible, welcoming, and representative of all members of the community, regardless of their backgrounds, identities, or abilities.
Financial Advocacy: This type of advocacy involves advocating for adequate funding and resources to sustain and improve library programs and services.
Policy Advocacy: This type of advocacy involves engaging with policymakers and other decision-makers to shape policies that affect libraries, education, and information access.