Advocacy Day

Help us advocate for libraries!  Through our advocacy, we champion the cause of libraries and empower them to better serve their patrons/users and communities.

CLRC leads regional legislative advocacy efforts by organizing regional Legislative Breakfast events, scheduling meetings in Albany for NYLA’s Library Advocacy Day, and coordinating efforts through our Legislative Committee.  Outside of these events, we partner with our members in communicating and working with elected officials to keep them informed and engaged with our library community.

Legislative Breakfasts

In early December, we invite our elected officials to meet with us over breakfast to discuss library policy and funding priorities.  These events are structured in a speed dating style.  Elected officials sit at tables and library advocates have 7-10 minutes to make their case.  When the bell rings, the advocates switch tables and speak with other elected officials.  This format allows for dynamic small group conversations.

NYLA Library Advocacy Day

This statewide advocacy event is held in Albany in early February.  We coordinate our regional presence at Advocacy Day by scheduling meetings with the state legislators who represent our region.  We also charter a bus to make it easier for our members to attend the event.  Our meetings in Albany are longer (typically scheduled for 30 minutes) and are held in larger groups.  See NYLA’s website for more information about Library Advocacy Day.

Training Advocates

Leading up to the Legislative Breakfasts and Library Advoacy Day, we hold trainings, distribute information and support our members to become the best possible advocates.

Legislative Committee

All of these efforts are coordinated in collaboration with CLRC’s Legislative Committee.  If you are interested in becoming more involved in the planning process, contact Ryan Perry (rperry@clrc.org) for more information.

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