Florida Library Association wins ALA President’s Award for Advocacy, sponsored by ALTAFF
Originally appeared in the January 2010 issue of The Voice for America’s Libraries, a publication of ALTAFF.
As Florida’s state budget was coming together for fiscal year 2010, it looked like everything was set for state aid to libraries. Sure, there was a modest reduction from the previous allotment of more than $22 million to $21.25 million, but in the tight economy, that was to be expected. By and large, Florida libraries were happy. After all, the library community had developed strong, positive relationships with both the state senate and house, and this was an optimal outcome.
But then it all changed. First, under strong pressure to reduce the overall state budget, the house appropriations committee decided to zero out funding for libraries altogether. The senate appropriations committee followed suit later, on a Thursday afternoon. The only hope for reinstating funding was a 72 hour “cooling off” period before any decisions were official, and a governor who was supportive of libraries.
The leadership of the Florida Library Association (FLA) found out about this drastic turn around that Thursday night, and immediately went into action. They contacted their members, asking them to call and write e-mails to their legislators, especially to those on the house and senate appropriations committees. They crafted messages and asked that their members contact their Friends and Trustees to make calls, and to use Capwiz, an online legislation and advocacy tool, to contact their representatives using the message and talking points developed.
Next, they wrote a letter to Governor Charlie Crist, who had always been a strong supporter of libraries. It landed on his desk Friday morning. As a consequence, the governor started working the room where the deliberations were being held, urging the committees to find the money for libraries somewhere in the budget.
Having worked with a commercial public relations firm two years prior to heighten awareness about the importance of Florida libraries, the leadership turned to them once again to ask for their assistance in getting the word out – fast – about the pending elimination of state aid to libraries. The result was immediate positive coverage in all major media outlets, thus generating even more calls and e-mails.
Before long, it was clear that the library campaign was going viral! Library supporters were turning to their own contact lists and organizations, forwarding the message along to Rotary clubs, churches, and other civic organizations asking that they too make their voices heard. On their own initiative, library supporters began showing up for the meetings carrying signs in support of library funding. “It was as if they were picketing the appropriations committees,” remarked FLA President Charlie Parker.
In time, e-mails to committee members began bouncing back, leading FLA leadership to surmise that citizens and librarians had overwhelmed the system. It was clear that there was a strong voice for libraries throughout the state.
Hovered around their televisions and computers, FLA leadership watched the appropriations proceedings to see if they were getting any traction. On Saturday morning, the senate budget chair announced that they needed to reexamine the library issue – the first sign that within the 72 hour time frame maybe, just maybe, the library budget would be reinstated. And it was! At around 6 p.m. Sunday night, FLA leadership learned that funding was restored.
As tense as this 72-hour campaign was, support for the library didn’t happen overnight. In addition to the public awareness campaign launched two years earlier, the FLA had worked hard to help their elected leaders understand that libraries are essential. “E-government really helped us turn the corner in this regard,” said Mr. Parker. “Our government came to understand that libraries are the link between local, state, and federal government and the citizens they serve.
“Nothing is magical about this,” Mr. Parker continued. “Library directors across the state have been developing close relationships with their state representatives for years. This has led to a level of trust and understanding that was finally leveraged for reinstatement of funding.” That, of course, and thousands of library supporters weighing in with their representatives.
The FLA is the first recipient of the ALA President’s Award for Advocacy, which was developed and is sponsored by the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF). This annual award carries with it a $1,500 grant for the development of a program or programs for Friends and Trustees at the state library association conference. The Florida Library Association will be recognized as the first recipient of this award by ALA President Camila Alire at the Opening General Session of the 2010 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.