News

We are thrilled to resume regular publication of The Political Librarian with Volume 4, Issue 2. Our deepest gratitude to our authors and readers for your unwavering patience over the past several months. We had intended to resume publication in early spring of 2020. The disruption of Covid-19 changed our plans, as it has for everyone.

Earlier this week, library leaders from around the world gathered online to learn and collaborate on effective advocacy and funding techniques beyond standard storytelling methods participating in EveryLibrary Institute’s Library Advocacy and Funding Virtual Conference, on September 14th-September 16th. All presenters were hand-selected from some of the largest campaigns, advocacy groups, fundraising organizations, and large corporations to deliver new ideas, strategies and tactics for rebuilding support for library funding.

If you look past the seemingly endless shelves of books, you’ll find that libraries are significant centers of learning, professional development, and community. At your local library, you can find jobs, explore different perspectives, research new ideas, be inspired by stories, and so much more. 

There’s something for everyone at the library, and all of the library's services are available for free thanks to support from Friends of the Library groups and foundations. Here are fundraising ideas to help any Friends of the Library group raise vital funds while creating community awareness and appreciation for the local library. 

The best advice is often the most obvious but also the hardest to implement: Focus on implementing one fundraising strategy at a time. Once you develop and can maintain a healthy rhythm for fundraising, you can begin incorporating more strategies over time based on your library’s capacity. Before you know it, you’ll have built several sustainable streams of revenue your library can count on.

Libraries are funded through a wide combination of revenue sources, including local taxes, nonprofit and for-profit grants, and individual donors. Public funding has always been the primary source of operating revenue for libraries. However, smart library leaders should explore alternative ways to supplement public funding to experiment and build capacity. Here are five proven effective ways for libraries to connect with donors now. 

Requirements to become a librarian or library worker in a public library vary by state. Find out all the up-to-date information you need to get started here. 

If you are wondering what it takes to become a school librarian, we have compiled a comprehensive guide to state certification requirements with current links. 

The new whitepaper "School Libraries and the COVID Slide" from the EveryLibrary Institute looks closely at how school library programs staffed by certified school librarians can help stand in new education gaps during COVID disruptions. 

We’re excited to announce four new webinars-on-demand! Check them out today.

The COVID-era challenges to library funding are just starting to come into focus. From school funding cuts to austerity budgets for states and municipalities, the economic shocks will be real and significant. These organizations and associations need resources to advance their local legislative and advocacy priorities, and libraries need to be seen and funded for what they are — solutions to the real problems threatening literacy, economic prosperity, and equity.