I've just returned from attending the annual conference of the Kansas Library Association. This is an opportunity to get some new ideas and keep abreast of what is happening in the profession. Perhaps the most valuable part of the experience is the opportunity to meet face-to-face with colleagues to trade stories and advice. In fact, I know this is the most important part part of the experience.
One of the most interesting sessions was the keynote address by Jamie LaRue, the head of the Douglas County (CO) Libraries. He has developed an advocacy program aimed at changing mid-sets. The impetus for the creation of this program was a pair of defeats for library bond issues. Despite thorough and successful awareness and use campaigns for the Douglas County Libraries, Mr. LaRue found that library use DOES NOT equal library support. In fact, a study by OCLC and the Gates Foundation showed the same thing. Based on this study, Mr. LaRue's approach was to create a script and recruit passionate library supporters who were NOT library staff or board members to deliver the speech to groups each of those people are involved with. The main goal is to change the mindset from "tax burden requires tax relief" to value of services for money spent. Show the value of libraries with real-world stories. It's really great and I'm already thinking about who I might approach to try this in Hutchinson.
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