The group met 2-3 times this reporting period.
After reviewing the current PLA Strategic Plan, please tell us:
Describe the current work of this committee and how it supports our strategic goals. Include work accomplished, decisions made, and any recommended follow-up actions.
The committee has focused our work on the Advocacy and Awareness goals of the Strategic Plan, most specifically:
Build library staff capacity to collect and share impacts with local, regional and state stakeholders and initiatives.
Amplify the broad national impact of public libraries by aggregating and sharing data and stories.
Our two meetings allowed the group to brainstorm on the most pressing needs in a changing political landscape as we move into 2025. The committee represents all areas of the US with different circumstances yet all point to a similar goal/need of promoting public libraries positively as a whole. Members shared the challenges their libraries are facing in their communities and discussed the value of advocacy not only through or as the library, but rather through important connections with community members and organizations. These connections are about education and mobilization. It is stronger for others to speak on behalf of the library and there are many ways to approach this work. Members have a variety of experiences and proposed the committee identify a tool for sharing information on how to build up these advocacy partners.
One goal is to develop an article or podcast to share out strategies for library staff to create and empower advocates in creative ways. The committee is also exploring the role of public libraries in emergency preparedness and promoting and possibly adding to the Climate Change Library Lab.
Do you see opportunities to better align committee work with those goals?
The importance of showcasing the value and mission of public libraries will be even important in the upcoming year.
What recommendations do you have for in-coming committee members? Are there particular streams of
work in progress to be carried over into the new committee year? (January–June reporting period only)
NA
What specific activities will this committee undertake over the next six months to support that alignment? (July–December reporting period only)
Are there other PLA or ALA committees whose partnership and collaboration would accelerate meeting PLA strategic goals?
Our committee also has a liaison with the ALA Advocacy group which will help us be best informed and aligned.
Is there anything else about your committee experience you’d like to share?
Both Katina and Veronda have been supportive and positive! Thank you!
Submitted by Jennifer Weeks on 12/14/2024