Advocacy with Municipalities

Hi All,

Just wondering what strategies other libraries use when advocating with municipalities. Do you meet one on one with municipal council members? Attend municipal events regularly? What do you find works and what doesn't work when advocating for the library?

TIA!

In my experience, it's all about relationships. I spend a good amount of time keeping in touch with the City's CAO, department Directors. I would love to see my Board Chair do more work to speak to Councillors, since it really should be elected official to elected official, but I understand they have day jobs, so realistically, it's me taking Councillors for coffee and learning about their priorities.

I try to present to council a couple times/year outside of budget with good news stories and our annual report. And definitely attending community events. Getting staff involved in appropriate ways (on work time) is something I want to start thinking about this year too. Would love any ideas on how to talk to staff about their role in advocacy and developing talking points for them.