A key component of the Opportunity Online hardware grant program is enabling libraries to advocate for technology. We use the term advocacy to include the following activities, central to increasing support for public libraries:
- Building strategic partnerships with local groups and leaders that can support the library
- Developing effective approaches that demonstrate a library’s value to local decision makers and community members
- Delivering those messages through a variety of tactics to effectively spur increased support your library
PLA “Turning the Page” Advocacy Symposium
- Maine and New Hampshire participating libraries only:
September 9 – 11, 2008 – Location: Portland, ME - Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island participating libraries only:
September 23-25, 2008 – Location: Danver, MA
ATTENDANCE: the maximum number of people you can register is 3. Here is the language from the Gates Foundation with respect to the “who”:
“We require that the person responsible for making the “ask” for technology funding participate in the training. For many libraries this is the “director” for others it may not be. The Foundation wants to stress though that this isn’t a way for library leaders to delegate the responsibility to attend to another staff person.”
The other two people can be a staff member, trustee, director, etc.
GOALS:
The training is designed to equip librarians and library supporters with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to create community partnerships, build alliances with local and regional decision makers, and ultimately increase funding for their libraries. The in-person training will be strongly recommended for all participating libraries, but those who are unable to attend in-person may choose to participate in an online training. The training is designed to equip librarians and library supporters with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to create community partnerships, build alliances with local and regional decision makers, and ultimately increase funding for their libraries.
- All meals during the conference are provided – Additional meals will not be covered. Travel expenses to the conference will be reimbursed in the form of a mileage payment.
- Hotel rooms, including tax and resort charges are covered for 2 nights. (Incidentals will not be covered.)
- All parking expenses and tolls will be covered.
- Alcohol will be served at the dinners-additional alcohol purchases will not be covered.
You will be receiving specific information on these events by email and standard mail from PLA – the organizer of the symposiums. You can also check out www.sustaininglibraries.org.
