Learning outcomes:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of complex political advocacy strategies and tactics and adapt them to librarianship in a meaningful and effective way.
2. Understand the influence of politics and political support on the funding structures of libraries and how to work within that influence to increase the political standing of the library in the community.
3. Understand the role of the librarian in the development of political and social capital of the library.
4. Create a robust political advocacy memo for a library that includes the implementation of a wide range of tactics and good data to achieve a goal.
Overview:
Patrick Sweeney’s course on Political Advocacy helped me to understand the players when it comes to the intricacies of the political landscape. This is my least favorite part of the job, but it has to be done. The exercises in identifying the political donors in the community, getting practice developing a fundraising plan and mapping a political geography made me realize how much dedication and constant communication is needed to maintain a robust advocacy program.
Favorite assignment:
Fundraising Plan: West Valley College Library Textbook Fundraising Event
Creating a fundraising plan for a 5K Fun Run was an essential exercise in focusing on one event that may have the potential of turning into an annual occurrence for community involvement. Gathering information on logistics, marketing, costs, staff and volunteers needed to make the event a success required me to contact key players in my community to get their assistance. When it comes time for the library renovation, the community will have a connection to the library through this Fun Run.
One technology that can be used for advocacy:
Just before I started this class, I was enrolled in an education technology workshop offered by the Krause Center for Innovation at Foothill College. I learned about some new tools for my online classes including Animoto. I created the following video to advertise the library’s orientations, but I can also use Animoto as a tool to education our community on the mission and vision of the college library.
Final Project:
Writing a Political Landscape Memo required me to focus on the key parts of a fictitious election: the district, the initiative, other initiatives on the ballot and the opposition. I chose to pick a future library bond measure as my initiative which will have to be passed if my organization is to fund a renovated library. The most eye-opening revelation was researching the opposition and what their arguments may be against the bond. I researched news about past bonds and also the pro/con literature on the ballots of those bonds. When it comes time to prepare for a new bond measure, I know that planning and preparation will have to start months before the election.