Advocating directly to legislators is one of the most meaningful ways to move the library agenda forward, but it’s important that you’re prepared and know which tools to use to make the biggest impact. Here are some suggestions and resources for being a successful advocate.
Staying Informed
Staying Informed
- Keep up-to-date on the latest issues and trends in library advocacy so that you’re ready to discuss them with legislators, lobbyists, and staff members.
- Read MLA/MEMO Legislative Updates from the lobbyist
- Sign up for electronic alerts through http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/elists.asp
Grassroots Advocacy
Grassroots work is not only effective but also a good way to involve coworkers, friends, and others who may be interested in library advocacy but unable or unwilling to advocate in person. Here are some tips and tricks for making the most of calls and emails or letters.
Grassroots work is not only effective but also a good way to involve coworkers, friends, and others who may be interested in library advocacy but unable or unwilling to advocate in person. Here are some tips and tricks for making the most of calls and emails or letters.
Letter writing/emailing
General Tips
General Tips
- Make your communication as personal as possible, which will be more effective than a form letter.
- If you are pressed for time, fax or call your message in. Email is also an effective method of communicating with your legislator, but make sure you check with his/her website to see if there is a specific form that needs to be filled out. Email sent to a legislator’s email may be filtered as spam, so it is best to check the website for details.
- Snail mail is acceptable, but if you are pressed for time, it may not be the best method of communication.
- Be respectful and polite.
- Be concise, specific, and support your argument with facts that can be verified.
- Stay on message and keep to your main points.
- Thank him/her for their time.
Phone calls
- Don’t expect to speak to your legislator directly. Phones are often answered by staff who are responsible for taking messages, which are then passed along to your legislator.
- Be prepared with a written statement that will help you stay focused and on message.
- “Talking libraries”—what is my local, regional, state level elevator speech about how libraries are important in my community
- Follow the same general guidelines as listed above for writing a letter or email.
Legislative Day
Participation in Legislative Day is a great way to get involved, and the MLA is ready to provide information and assistance to help you be an effective advocate. In addition to the basic guidelines below, be sure to check the MLA website for training and meeting opportunities around Legislative Day. You can also use these guidelines to visit with your legislator at any other time that you might be available to advocate.
Participation in Legislative Day is a great way to get involved, and the MLA is ready to provide information and assistance to help you be an effective advocate. In addition to the basic guidelines below, be sure to check the MLA website for training and meeting opportunities around Legislative Day. You can also use these guidelines to visit with your legislator at any other time that you might be available to advocate.
Before You Go
- Make an appointment; don’t just show up. When you call to set up your appointment, let your legislator know what you would like to talk to him/her about. Be as specific as possible (e.g., I would like to speak with Rep. _____________ about H.R. ####. I will be in St. Paul on ______________ in the _____________).
- If your legislator is not available when you are going to be there, aks if the office is going to be open so you could drop off information or a letter for the legislator to review.
- Research your legislator, so you know where s/he stands on the issue(s) you would like to address. It will help you better refute any arguments that s/he might have.
- Read MLA/MEMO Legislative Updates from lobbyist.
- Read the MLA/MEMO Platform and Talking Points
- Recruit others to attend with you.
- Create your message and collect your stories. It would be best to have a written statement or notes to refer to when you are speaking with your legislator as well as any resources/handouts you might want to leave with him/her.
- Inform your group about the message you want to get across. Written handouts that group members can refer to for talking points are helpful.
- Attend the MLA/MEMO Briefing the night before or the morning of Legislative Day.
Hints for a successful visit
- Be on time, but understand that your legislator is busy, so s/he might be running late. You might even need to speak while walking with your elected official to another meeting. There is also the possibility that you will have to speak with a member of the staff instead of the legislator him/herself.
- Refer to your written notes to insure you stay on message.
- Dress professionally.
- Be professional and diplomatic.
- Listen carefully; try to draw out specific answers to your questions. If a legislator asks you a question you don’t know the answer to, let him/her know you’ll get back to him/her (and do so).
- Put the issues in human terms, and be as inclusive as possible, attempting to find common ground if there are disagreements. If possible, bring along a parent or well-spoken teen who can help give concrete examples of how the law will affect you and your library.
- Invite the legislator to visit your library and offer to be a contact for the issue.
- When your time is up, thank the legislator for his/her time.
Follow up After the Visit
- Send any follow-up information that was promised.
- postcard
- photos
- Read poster
With your help, libraries in Minnesota can continue to thrive. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to visit the MLA Advocacy and Legislation website (http://mnlibraryassociation.org/advocacy-legislation/) and/or contact the Legislative Committee.
