How to Help

Here are some suggested ways to help (and please help us by suggesting others in the comments):

  • "Cuts to library funding need to be seen in a different light: as an attack upon the institution and what it represents."  Lower your boiling point.
  • Contact your local, state and federal representatives-- and tell them how important the library, its materials, programs and services are to your community and their constituents - include personal stories or specific examples if you can.
  • Vote, and encourage others to vote in favor of library funding measures.
  • Visit your library regularly and use its resources frequently.
  • Join and actively participate in a Friends of the Library group, if your library has one.  If not, talk to your local library about starting one. 
  • Become a reliable, long-term volunteer.
  • Cash donations will always be appreciated.
  • Add a twibbon to your Twitter avatar to help increase awareness.
  • Add a LosingLibraries.org banner to your site or blog.
  • Download a "Save Our Library" poster and post it
  • Tell your library story and why libraries are important to you
  • Grab an idea from the ongoing collection of success stories from other libraries dealing with budget cuts and advocacy issues.
  • If you're a member of the American Library Association, you can get free online advocacy training.
  • Get "Save the Library" coloring pages from children's book illustrator Elizabeth O. Dulemba

 

9 June 20, 2010
  • sledmill1973 on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 17:12

    Довольно интересный материал Вы пишете. Жаль, что блог еще малопосещаем. Я бы такие темы освещал куда более широко.

  • tyc4000 on Mon, 07/04/2011 - 11:50

    Случайные афоризмы:
    Лучше не сделать то, что хочешь, чем делать то, что фото знаменитостей хочешь.
    Адриана Лима могут решить любую проблему, кроме той, где их взять.
    Не надо мыть полы ежедневно, фото Аврил Лавин хотя бы каждый день надо!
    Некоторые девушки покупают тушь для ресниц Памела Андерсон 300%» и зачем-то намазывают ее себе на грудь...
    В женщине всем должно быть Дженнифер Лопес фото
    Честный Рианна фото любит не маму с папой, а трубочки с кремом.
    Не соглашайтесь на пластическую Пэрис Хилтон если кабинет врача завешан картинами Пикассо...
    У Дрю Бэрримор фото власть принадлежит народу, а все остальное принадлежит власти.
    фото Натали Портман гвоздей не должно увеличивать количество больных пальцев!
    Вот и я примкнул к известным людям: вчера жена швырнула Мария Шарапова меня ботинок.
    Если ты серость, то тебя будут давить без всякой злости, а Джулия Робертс фото выделяешься, то с большой радостью.
    журналы О, как морозно в январе, когда удобства во дворе!

  • Concerned Library Supporter on Fri, 09/10/2010 - 16:39

    I think we would be better served to highlight our successes - incidents where citizens, ordinary people, grassroots efforts, administrators, legislators, children, whomever - banded together to save library services.

    Each of those victories carries with it the story of why libraries matter.

    Those reasons should resonate with everyone and perhaps cause some people to rethink their stance. Let's share our successes.

  • Concerned Library Supporter on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 11:32

    I would suggest making a few different banners in different sizes and colors for webmasters to add to their site to link back to yours. Then you can have a list of sites that linked to you, kind of an honor roll.

    A facebook fan page might be helpful.

    Having people a photo gallery of libraries in trouble would be nice, you can contact them and ask if they have any pictures they'd like you to post.

    Testimonials are nice, have people love the library write a little something about what libraries mean to them.

    Have an email address set up so people can send you notes, that would be cool...sorry if there is one and I didn't see it.

  • laura on Tue, 07/13/2010 - 10:47

    The email was kind of buried, so now it's easier (hopefully) to see at the top of the "Contact Us" page.  We've added a banner people can embed (hopefully more to follow).  The ideas about the photo gallery and testimonials are also good and on the "To Do" list.  We don't want to try to recreate the wheel concerning Facebook groups (see the Linkroll, right).  Thanks again!--Laura & Mandy

  • Concerned Library Supporter on Sat, 07/10/2010 - 20:45

    Where's the library school when we need it? Qui potest capere capiat [let you who can understand understand].

  • Concerned Library Supporter on Tue, 06/29/2010 - 20:14

    I look forward to reading ideas for how to help preserve our nation's libraries.

  • Concerned Library Supporter on Fri, 07/09/2010 - 16:03

    Contact your local, state and federal elected representatives and tell them how important the library, its materials, programs and services are to your community and their constituents - include personal stories or specific examples if you can; vote, and encourage others to vote in favor of library funding measures; visit your library regularly and use its resources frequently; join and actively participate in a Friends group, if your library has one; offer to present a free workshop, educational, cultural, craft, performance or other program; become a reliable, long-term volunteer; cash donations will always be appreciated.

  • laura on Tue, 07/13/2010 - 07:11

    Thank you--we've used the bulk of your suggestions to start the content of this page.  We hope that this inspires others to follow with more!--Laura & Mandy