• Creating a common language for discussing public libraries and public access technology in supporting community goals
• Setting clear, achievable and measurable standards for public access technology for libraries of all sizes
• Supporting strategic planning, budgeting and advocacy processes
• Providing an extra layer of legitimacy and authority to library technology discussions
• Helping you find new and clearer ways to tell your library’s story

This project relies on feedback and expertise from you, from libraries large and small, to create meaningful and useful benchmarks.  As always, TechSoup is interested in hearing from you, so please share your thoughts with the project team.  [copied from the August 2011 issue of Tech Soup for Libraries Newsletter]

Visit Sarah Washburn’s blog for more details on this project and to leave your feedback or simply complete a short two-question survey.

Librarians in all types of libraries are invited to a FREE workshop on frontline advocacy for libraries—especially their own libraries.

Camila Alire, ALA President

Frontline library advocates work at all levels in all types of libraries—public, academic, school and special—and are the internal/external face and voice of the library.  They can tell the library’s story and deliver the library’s message at their comfort level and with people they know best.  Because every staff member is the face of the library to his/her respective community, each influences what the community knows and thinks about the  library; and all librarians and library staff are perfectly poised to inform people about their library’s value and needs.

This workshop covers the importance of this new level of library advocacy and how it differs from legislative advocacy; works with librarians, library staff, and library administrators/managers/supervisors in ways to get frontline staff empowered and engaged to do a different type of library advocacy at their comfort level; and helps attendees with the mechanics of putting together a frontline advocacy team; developing a frontline employee advocacy plan; and crafting a message.  Every voice does make a difference!

Date and time: Monday, June 21, 2010,  1:30-PM-4:30 PM

Location: University of Richmond, Keller Hall  (#43 on the map )

Registration: There is no registration fee; however you must register; seating is ample, but limited.  To register call Leigh Ann Martin at 804-289-8454 or email her at lbrosnih@richmond.edu; use “Frontline advocacy” as your email subject line.

Registration deadline:.. June 11, 2010

Parking: Complete the online form for a permit no later than June 14, 2010.  Light refreshments will be served

Dr. Camila Alire is Dean Emeritus at the University of New Mexico and Colorado State University.  Camila received her doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Northern Colorado and MLS from the University of Denver.  Camila currently is president of ALA and ALA/APA president.  She is past-president (2005/06) of the Association for College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and also past-president of national REFORMA.

Camila has co-authored books on library service to Latino communities; disaster planning and recovery; and emotional intelligent leadership.  A book on academic librarianship she co-authored will be out this summer.  Camila was named by Hispanic Business Magazine several years ago as one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the U.S.

More information about Frontline Advocacy is available on the ALA website.

(Adapted from a flyer distributed by Jim Rettig, University Librarian, Boatwright Memorial Library, University of Richmond.)