Tag Archives: #EveryLibrarianAnAdvocate

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #34: Stop and Think

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #34: Stop and Think

Advocacy doesn’t always work first time around.

Your targeting, your messaging or your tools may not immediately be effective. This is normal.

But it’s not a reason to give up. In fact, this is really useful experience that you can use to improve things.

So for our 34th 10-Minute Library Advocate exercise, stop and think.

Take a moment to reflect on what has worked well, and what hasn’t in the context in which you are working.

Remember what your objectives were, and think about whether you have achieved them.

Which messages seemed to engage people, and which did you need to explain again?

You can do this alone, or in a group – different perspectives can be useful. The results will help you develop your advocacy further in future!

Good luck!

 

See the introduction and previous posts in our 10-Minute Library Advocate series and join the discussion in social media using the #EveryLibrarianAnAdvocate hashtag!

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #33: Bring a Prop or Support

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #33: Bring a Prop or Support

Advocacy shouldn’t just be about talking.

For people who have lots of meetings, it may even be difficult to remember what happened in one particular conversation.

So you need a way of giving the person you are talking to a way of remembering you, and your message.

You need both to make your meeting different, as well as give them a reminder, so that you can follow up.

So for our 33rd 10-Minute Library Advocate exercise, bring a prop or support.

This can be something simple like a photo or a postcard. If you have a brochure or something more detailed, this is even better.

Even a souvenir can help, as long as it has the name of your library or organisation on it, or some reminder of your meeting.

Not only does this add something to your presentation, but also, when your interlocutor is emptying their bag or jacket at the end of the day or week, they will see it and think of libraries.

Good luck!

 

See the introduction and previous posts in our 10-Minute Library Advocate series and join the discussion in social media using the #EveryLibrarianAnAdvocate hashtag!

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #32: Compare Notes and Share Ideas!

10-Minute Library Advocate #32 - Compare notes and share ideasYou don’t need to advocate alone!

One of the key strengths of the library field is that there are institutions and professionals in cities, towns and villages around the world.

And in them, there are people doing advocacy, each with their own strengths and questions.

This means lots of potential to discuss what you’re doing and learn.

So for our 32nd 10-Minute Library Advocate exercise, compare notes and share ideas!

Find someone else who is advocating for libraries, and see what has worked for them, and what lessons they have learned.

The World Library and Information Congress, starting this weekend, is a great time to do this.

Not just in the formal sessions, where you can hear more about IFLA tools and services.

But also in the informal chats where you can really go deeper, and ask the questions you want to ask!

Good luck!

 

See the introduction and previous posts in our 10-Minute Library Advocate series and join the discussion in social media using the #EveryLibrarianAnAdvocate hashtag!

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #31: Remember to take a Selfie

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #31: Remember to take a Selfie

Advocacy needs to leave a trace.

If you want to be able to build a relationship, it’s important to show what you have already done, and achieved.

Having evidence that you’ve met a politician or other target makes it easier to follow up.

And it’s great to have when talking about your advocacy to your colleagues and friends!

So for our 31st 10-Minute Library Advocacy exercise, when you meet with a politician or other decision-maker, remember to take a selfie!

Of course, depending on the person you’re talking to, a traditional photo will also be good!

And it’s a great way of creating a sense of complicity, and even a sense of fun, as long as the person you are meeting seems likely to accept.

Normally, people in power like having photos taken of them at work.

You can also share it with the person you have met – they might want to be able to show they are meeting with stakeholders too.

Good luck!

 

See the introduction and previous posts in our 10-Minute Library Advocate series and join the discussion in social media using the #EveryLibrarianAnAdvocate hashtag!

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #30: Get Your Opening Lines Right!

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #30: Get Your Opening Lines Right!

Good advocacy can take place in seconds.

This can be because you only have a very short period of time to talk with someone.

But it can also be because the person you’re talking to starts to make up their mind very quickly.

For someone busy, this is natural.

You need to make sure that they get the best impression of you and libraries from the beginning.

So for our 30th 10-Minute Library Advocate Exercise, get your opening lines right.

Practice it – setting out who you are, and what you want to talk about, and why it matters.

You may need to use it without much warning, so it’s good to have it in your head.

It can also help build your confidence for the rest of the conversation!

Good luck!

 

See the introduction and previous posts in our 10-Minute Library Advocate series and join the discussion in social media using the #EveryLibrarianAnAdvocate hashtag!

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #28: Celebrate an International Day

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #28: Celebrate an International Day

Advocacy about showing your relevance.

In a number of previous editions, we’ve talked about how do identify relevant subjects, and how to react to them.

But sometimes you don’t need to search.

The United Nations and its agencies have identified a number of key days where there is a focus on a specific issue – think International Women’s Day for example.

On these days, many governments and others will be talking about that issue.

Libraries can too!

So for our 28th 10-Minute Library Exercise, celebrate an international day!

Of course, some are more relevant than others.

The International Literacy Day (10 September), International Day for the Universal Access to Information (28 September), or Human Rights Day (10 December) are particularly good ones though!

You can do this by downloading a poster or leaflet, making a post in social media, or even writing a blog or article.

Doing so shows that you and your library are part of a global conversation, and can make people think about libraries in a new way.

Good luck!

 

See the introduction and previous posts in our 10-Minute Library Advocate series and join the discussion in social media using the #EveryLibrarianAnAdvocate hashtag!

 

 

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #27: Follow Up!

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #27: Follow Up!

Advocacy is about building relationships.

While it’s an important first step to talk to a politician, funder or influencer, and get their business card, you can’t stop there.

Indeed, the more important they are, the busier they are likely to be. They need to be reminded of the time you met.

And of course, a strong relation only comes from repeated contact.

So for our 27th 10-Minute Library Advocate, exercise, follow-up with someone you met recently at an event, a visit, or another occasion.

Send them an e-mail, or even a letter (this can be powerful, given that physical letters are quite rare now!).

Remind them of your conversation, perhaps send on some (but not too much!) more information.

It can even be an opportunity to give your arguments more effectively than in person if you didn’t have time!

Good luck!

 

See the introduction and previous posts in our 10-Minute Library Advocate series and join the discussion in social media using the #EveryLibrarianAnAdvocate hashtag!