Massachusetts Public Library Trustees Handbook 

Advocacy is the art of championship: finding a cause that one believes is of great importance, promoting its value, and speaking out on its behalf. What better cause is there than one's own public library? It is the responsibility of each trustee to work diligently to gain adequate backing for the library. This goal is achieved by actively and enthusiastically seeking local, state, and federal support for the library's staff, collections, property, and programs.

Trustees also have a broader imperative, to work for improved library services across the Commonwealth. This can be accomplished by becoming informed about the structure of legislative activities across the state, and to learn to network with others who are concerned with improving libraries for the benefit of every citizen of Massachusetts.

State Legislative Network

Trustees should pursue statewide progress for libraries by working with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the regional library systems, the Massachusetts Library Association and the Massachusetts Library Trustees Association. Be aware of political issues that impact academic, school and special libraries as well as public libraries.

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has a Government Information Liaison whose job it is to disseminate information about libraries to Massachusetts trustees and librarians; to act as a resource for local legislative networks; to monitor legislation, and to provide information on library issues to elected officials.

Trustees should develop a process with their director to ensure that all relevant legislative information is disseminated in a timely way to every trustee on the board. Consider appointing one trustee to act as a liaison with local and state legislators, to facilitate the process of keeping up to date on current legislation, and to mobilize the board to advocate for this important legislation.

Lobbying

The process of expressing opinions to the decision-makers and pushing in support of one's opinions is called lobbying. It comes from the time-honored custom of talking with legislators in the lobbies of city halls, state houses and Congress. The main job of the lobbyist is to work to pass or defeat legislation. Lobbying is communication, education, and the art of persuasion. For library services, it involves:

Lobbying is the responsibility of trustees. You are the voice of the community and an advocate of the library. You can make a difference because:

Involve your local community in the lobbying process. Trustees should be advocating for the library by pursuing contacts with:

Establish a local legislative network of committed residents and friends to put library issues before the voters and officials. Identify key supporters, distribute facts, figures and position papers, provide information on the legislative process, mobilize and be ready for action. There's no substitute for personal contacts.

Please refer to Chapter 8 of this Handbook regarding the restrictions on use of public property for advocacy on local political issues such as overrides and debt exclusions.