[Publib] Library lobbyist concept

[Diedre Conkling]

I seem to have read the orinal post a bit differently than some of you.  I don't really think that the term lobbyist was the word that really fits the role being discussed.  I think "library advocate" might more accurately discribe the role.

I agree that usually library directors, along with other staff members, board members, and members of Library Friends groups are advocates.  The library director is probably the first person to take this role when addressing city councils, county commissioners and various local government agencies and department heads.  I actually think it is a main part of the library director's job.  We also advocate at many other places in the community of course.

This would involve advocacy for library funding, setting staffing levels and salaries and promotion of the library as the resource to use for various activities.   This also involves promoting the library to the community as a whole.

The only place we have used lobbyists is when working with the state legislature.  In our case, the lobbyist is hired by the Oregon Library Association.  Individuals may also lobby but for limited amounts of time each month.  I would think it is possible that some very large library systems might want to hire a lobbyist for a similar role.  This is the kind of position that has been discussed up until now on this list and is one where state laws would need to be reviewed or might be a role for Library Friends to take on.  Elected Boards can also take on this role but it might be more of a problem for appointed Boards.

So, I do think it would be possible for a local library to hire a "library advocate" but I think the library director would be the first line of advocacy.  The person hired as a library advocate would need to take action under the direction of the library director.  I would assume that the Board does not supervise staff members but only the library director.  There are people that probably do this as part of there job as well as maybe heading up public relations and even fundraising.
 
--
Diedre Conkling
     
  Lincoln County Library District
  P.O. Box 2027, Newport, OR  97365
  Phone & Fax:  541-265-3066
  http://lcld.library-blogs.net/
  Work:  diedre at beachbooks.org
  Home:  diedrec at charter.net
   

_______________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of Lisa Pappas
Sent: Fri 11/24/2006 3:00 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Library lobbyist concept


Hello, publibbers~
 
 
A member of our elected library board would like us to hire what he refers to as a "library lobbyist" to advocate for our library to our local government officials. 
 
We know that traditionally this has been the role of the library director. How do your libraries handle working with your local government officials? Is it the role of the library director or do you have a public relations person to do this? Is it in that person's job description and would you be willing to share that job description?
 
Thank you for sharing!
 
 
 
Lisa Pappas
Reference and Readers Services Manager
Plainfield Public Library
Plainfield, IL 60544
815.436.6639
lpappas at plainfield.lib.il.us

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