Massachusetts Public Library Trustees Handbook

Bond Issues and Overrides
	Chapter 8. Fundraising

Bond Issues and Overrides

When going for a bond exemption under Proposition 2 1/2 or other taxpayer support, the fund raising campaign must be considered and approached like a political campaign. There are very stringent rules about use of the public library property to wage or support a political campaign. Essentially, you aren't allowed to do it! You may not use the library staff, supplies, or building to promote your campaign, under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 55. The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance has issued easy to read pamphlets which describe the library's rights and responsibilities in these matters. You may contact them at (617) 727-8352, or visit their website at http://www.state.ma.us/OCPF . You may also contact the Board of Library Commissioners for more information on the use of public resources for political activity.

The following activities may be conducted by your Friends of the Library, or other local advocacy group:

Get advice on how to win from the politicians who have run successful campaigns in your community.
Form a separate committee to run this campaign. You may recruit volunteers from your most enthusiastic patrons, Friends, and trustees, so long as the business is not conducted on the library premises.
Be careful not to use public funds. Find a sponsor to underwrite all costs for the campaign, such as printing, postage, copying, even pencils.
Identify the people in town who vote (don't waste time or money on those who don't vote). Try to obtain a list of voters who actually went to the polls at the last local election.
Have volunteers put these names into a database that will generate mailing labels (also add phone numbers and precinct numbers.)
Mail an explanatory flyer to the people on this list.
Provide written instructions to volunteer telephone callers. Make the phone calls a week after the flyer is mailed to find voters' positions on the issue. If they are in favor, ask them to go out and vote on Election Day.
Maximize public relations by using your cable TV, Friends newsletter, letters to the editor, interviews with the press, and public speaking to civic groups and parent organizations.
On Election Day, organize drivers, checkers, runners, and people to stand outside the polls. Thank people for coming.
Don't forget to thank everyone who helped, regardless of whether your campaign has been successful.

Working with legislators and public officials

Be fair, informed, and informative. Avoid cynicism about public officials.
Be understanding of the pressures being applied to legislators.
Be friendly and maintain contact. Don't wait for a crisis to seek them out.
Be reasoned and reasonable in presenting arguments.
Be thoughtful about getting their attention; don't waste their time.
Be charitable (up to a point) about delays in their responses or actions.
Be constructive and cooperative: try to provide possible alternatives.
Be realistic and persistent, but recognize that politics is the art of compromise.
Be practical: offer sound arguments.
Be a good opponent, fighting the issue, not the person.
Be loyal to your position, trustworthy and discreet.
Be calm and evaluative. Be willing to work at your arguments and your contacts.
Be generous in giving credit where credit is due.
Be visionary, realizing you may still win the war after losing a battle.

Trustee Tip

Try for a one-issue, special election for your bond issue or override vote. Libraries have had greater success in winning these votes when the library doesn't have to compete with other tax issues.


Hiring a Fundraising Consultant		Nonprofit Incorporation