91´«Ã½

To inform and advise PLA Board and staff on strategic partnership opportunities with federal agencies and national organizations with shared values and alignment with public libraries; to develop and support strategic relationships that are beneficial to PLA and public libraries; to capture and share examples of strategic partnerships with public libraries that positively impact communities and advance national priorities; to serve as a liaison with the 91´«Ã½ Public Policy and Advocacy Office, and others as needed to help ensure that the advocacy needs of public librarians are represented in their initiatives; to strengthen the advocacy skills of public librarians; to work with PLA Board and staff toward achieving PLA strategic planning goals.

Deliverables and outcomes:

• Share and discuss effective practices for advancing advocacy and strategic partnership development for U.S. public libraries
• Identify and help to prioritize strategic partnership opportunities with federal agencies and national organizations for recommendation to PLA and public libraries
• Develop and help raise awareness of tools and resources that aid public libraries in their advocacy and strategic partnership development efforts
• Increase PLA’s capacity to support public libraries in effective advocacy and strategic partnership development

Expected time commitment:

• Attend 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference for an in-person committee meeting (1–2 hours/year plus travel time)
• Attend virtual meetings (6–10 hours/year)
• Review and respond to emails and 91´«Ã½ Connect messages (2–3 hours/year)

Desired skills, knowledge, or experience:

• Passion for advocating on behalf of public libraries at the local, state and/or national levels
• Experience leading advocacy campaigns and influencing elected and appointed officials, as well as other funders and champions, to support public library programs and services
• Ability to represent the public library field and advocate for its needs to meet community priorities