Rethinking Advocacy for School Librarians

Unfortunately, we don't live in a society where good things, like school libraries, get the funding they need. Instead, we live in a society where causes with political power and influence get funded. So, how do libraries, especially school libraries, build the political power and influence the need to be funded? In this session, we'll explore how school library advocacy can be refocused on building political power and influence, the tools and skills you need to be successful, and how you can get involved in advocacy for school librarians in Maryland.

Facilitators

Patrick "PC" Sweeney is a 2007 San Jose School of Library and Information Sciences graduate and former Administrative Librarian and School Librarian and was Executive Director of EveryLibrary California, a statewide initiative to support library propositions. He was awarded Library Journal’s “Movers and Shakers” award in 2015 for his library advocacy work. He is co-author of “Winning Elections and Influencing Politicians for Library Funding” as well as “Before the Ballot; Building Support for Library Funding.” He was recently recognized with a “40 Under 40” award by the American Association of Political Consultants for his work fighting for libraries at EveryLibrary. He is a lecturer at the San Jose Information School where he teaches courses on politics and libraries. He is active across social media as PC Sweeney.

1 hour of Continuing Education Credit will be awarded to attendees.

Registration