The document provides advocacy strategies and talking points for the Washington Coalition for School Libraries and Information Technology. It outlines the current challenges facing school libraries, an approach focused on long-term funding and vision, and a framework for advocacy. It discusses effective data collection, grassroots mobilization, building relationships with decision-makers, and framing school libraries as essential 21st century learning spaces.

1. Washington Coalition for School Libraries and Information Technology (WCS-Lit) www.FundOurFutureWashington.org Advocacy Primer Lisa Layera Susan McBurney Denette Hill CC 2010

3. Current Library Landscape “ endangered Species” “ obsolete” “ on the way to extinction” “ draconian cuts” “ elimination” “ encroachment”

4. An Approach Based on Survival Advocating to win and promoting policies with teeth FUNDING : Permanent and/or stop-gap VISION : Supporting long-range planning efforts CODE : Ensuring your survival

5. A Framework for Flourishing website physical space emerging technologies portal lookout connectivity Image Jasenka Petanjek for <A HREF=http://22027.openphoto.net> CC: Attribution-Share-Alike For more information: http://librarycalltoaction.wikispaces.com/Lisa+and+Susan

6. The Political Terrain Argument Objection Libraries matter. Get in line. “ Lobby the bill, not the issue.” - Political insider for 40 years The librarian is the advocate. Special interest “ Tell them not to send librarians.” - Committee chair, via top advisor Libraries need more money. It’s a ‘local decision’. It’s the State and Fed’s failure to sufficiently fund it. Libraries should be funded. It’s an extra, an enhancement, a luxury in these economic times. “Where would you want us to cut?”

14. Effective Data: The Oregon Numbers

15. Grassroots Effectiveness vs. Mass Noise GRASSROOTS EFFECTIVENESS MASS NOISE The people’s voice : For each librarian, 3 stakeholders. Librarians = special interest Personal emails and letters invite engagement . Mass communications will be ignored. Personal stories Canned messages Personal interactions (visits, attending meetings) bring the effort to life and create the mandate. Mass actions w/o personal follow-up are ineffective.

26. Top 10 To-Dos “ The Spokane parents gave people around the state an opportunity to say, 'Yes, this is important.’ That is special—not unique—but it's unusual, because here's a couple of concerned parents who are doing more than writing or emailing. They're expressing views clearly and forcefully and providing a website so that others who agree can express their views as well.” Skip Priest, WA State Representative, to the LA Times