This is the second part of a two-part interview conducted with Michael Lambert, City Librarian, San Francisco Public Library. It was originally published on the California Library Association website as part of the work I’m doing as Library Advocacy Training Project Manager for the Association.
Q: What key issues do you believe need to be addressed in training sessions for California library staff—at all levels—interested in becoming strong advocates for libraries and the communities they serve?
A: The basics
- What is library advocacy? Why is it important?
- What is the difference between advocacy and lobbying?
- Political activities—Do’s and Don’ts
- The Power of Storytelling and gathering stories to tell your library’s story about impact, outcomes
- Less about utilization data—more about how libraries make a transformational impact on people’s lives
- An example: Jamie LaRue, former library director [Douglas County Libraries, Colorado], gave a great advocacy training for NCLA [North Carolina Library Advocacy] a decade ago that got to this point (https://nclibraryadvocacy.org/about-us/jamie-larue/)
- Less about utilization data—more about how libraries make a transformational impact on people’s lives
Importance of building a strong partnership with your local library support group; San Francisco has a model public/private partnership within our municipal government that has been highlighted by our Office of the Controller.
- Requires investment of staffing capacity and time, but it’s worth it
- Regular meetings, attend Board meetings, invite participation in Library Commission meetings, special events
- Formal MOU
Q: What formats do you believe work best for advocacy training for California library staff at all levels?
A: The California Library Association has some excellent sessions at our annual conference and offers opportunities for staff to be inspired and engaged. Beyond CLA Annual, I think the current environment has demonstrated the utility and accessibility of the virtual environment, making it easier for a broader cross section of our library workers to participate and learn and grow. EveryLibrary’s ongoing newsletters and training offerings are excellent.
California Public Library Advocates have done a great job hosting regional advocacy training opportunities for members of library boards and commissions, Friends, Foundations as well as other library supporters and advocates.
Q: What are we not currently doing that we should be doing to support library staff interested in becoming strong advocates for libraries and the communities they serve?
A: As a library administrator, fulfilling our mission with excellent service delivery is the top priority. There are many strategic priorities that go into library operations, and San Francisco Public Library has an ongoing commitment to organizational excellence. Employee engagement and organizational development are key focus areas within our Racial Equity Action Plan, but I think there is an opportunity to tap into the latent community organizing ability of our staff to learn how to become even stronger advocates for libraries and the communities we serve. Ultimately, if we are able to provide more opportunities for growth and professional development on this front, we’ll be more successful in advancing racial equity and social justice.
Q: You’re very active in a variety of social media platforms. What—if any—role do you see social media playing in your advocacy efforts?
A: At the most basic level, telling the library’s story and sharing factual information about library programs and services.
On a personal level, I leverage social media to foster stronger connections with elected officials and community leaders. I recommend library directors engage with their local political leaders in every way possible, including social media; follow them and like their posts and/or comment to have a conversation. This is a great way to stay in tune with local priorities and the pulse of the community. You can invite them to your library events and subsequently post photos to give them a shout-out for their support.
Q: Your Facebook account offers a wonderful balance of posts that relate to work and posts and relate to your personal life. Any tips to advocates on how to maintain that sort of balance without veering into posts/topics that can come back to haunt them?
A: Good question! One guiding principle I try to remember is: “would I want to see this post on the front page of the SF Chronicle?” My social media presence includes personal accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. I enjoy promoting and sharing the incredible work my SFPL staff are doing, and it’s easy to share such posts. My social media presence also comes in handy for recruitment and making folks aware of job opportunities within the City and County of San Francisco. It’s not uncommon for me to post my fellow department heads’ recruitments on LinkedIn to demonstrate my support for them and our City and County family. Overall I’d say my feed is similar to many other people with posts about my kid, what I’m eating, what I’m doing, etc.
Q: Drawing upon your extensive experience as an advocate for libraries, what would you suggest individuals can do to effectively serve as advocates for libraries throughout California?
A: Pay your dues—support your professional association—California Library Association; American Library Association
Attend CLA, get involved.
Support EveryLibrary—the only political action committee devoted to libraries
- Read their books, e.g., Before the Ballot
- Follow them on social media [Facebook and Twitter]
- Taken advantage of their training
- Support them financially if you can
Volunteer your time to local library initiatives
Support your local Friends of organization
It’s pretty basic—we need to support library advocacy with our treasure or time or both.
N.B. — Paul’s work as a consultant/project manager with the California Library Association is part of a grant-funded project to develop and coordinate a statewide political advocacy training program for library workers and supporters throughout California.
Building Creative Bridges 