Our Authors, Our Advocates
Authors are not only the natural allies of libraries, but often celebrities in their own right. This initiative will focus on using these well-known, articulate and impassioned spokespeople to highlight the key role libraries and library staff play in the economic, social and educational fabric of our nation. This initiative will highlight these individuals in support of libraries through interviews, posters, podcasts, publications, and other media support. These materials will be made available to the membership for use at the local level. Much like the READ posters, such an initiative can build a broad base of support for libraries over time. Additionally, “Our Authors, Our Advocates” will be used as a model for creating advocates for libraries at the community level through the toolkit "Cultivating Your Local Notables.” The toolkit will provide guidance on identifying and enlisting local "celebrities" as your library's advocate.
Authors Carmen Agra Deedy (“Martina the Beautiful Cockroach”); multiple Coretta Scott King Book Award medalist Sharon Draper (“Forged by Fire”); New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer (“Heroes for My Son”) are the first authors to participate in a new national library advocacy campaign entitled “ Our Authors, Our Advocates.”
While the economic downturn continues to fuel a surge in library use, it has also sparked a disturbing national trend of severe funding cuts for U.S. libraries. Data from the American Library Association’s 2010 State of America’s Library Report shows 41 percent of the states experienced a decline in state funding for public libraries during the current fiscal year. This has been compounded by reductions of funding at the local level – creating a snowball effect that impacts millions of people that rely on library service.
“Authors are the natural allies of libraries in these challenging times,” said ALA President- Elect Roberta Stevens. “They understand the key role libraries and library staff play in the economic, social and educational fabric of our nation. ‘Our Authors, Our Advocates’ will focus on using these well-known and passionate individuals to speak out on the importance of not only sustaining but increasing support for libraries.”
Events at the 2010 ALA Annual Conference (Washington, D.C.) 
The launch of the campaign will take place during the ALA Inaugural Banquet, to be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29, at the Renaissance Washington, Grand Ballroom, Washington D.C. Participating authors will provide remarks along with special guest Washington Post Writer at Large Marie Arana. For more information, please see the press release.