IFLA Advocacy Capacities Grid (External Advocacy)

Abstract

Effective library advocacy requires a combination of activities and skills. Our grid aims to help associations and others assess where they stand now, and where to focus next, focussing in particular on 'external' advocacy - i.e. public efforts, including engagement with politicians.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments and institutions are likely to be facing either higher debt or lower revenues, causing them to look for ways to make savings.

In the past, too often, libraries have been seen as an area where cuts can be made easily. The library field needs to work together to ensure that this is not the case this time.

In order to ensure that our institutions can contribute to a stronger recovery, it will be important to ensure that they have the resources to do so.

To send this message – and shape decisions about future support for libraries – advocacy will be necessary, ranging from work to raise public awareness to targeted engagement with politicians and officials.

In turn, library associations and others will need to make sure they are ready to go as soon as decisions are to be made.

The IFLA advocacy capacities grid provides a tool allowing readers to assess where they stand now in different areas, and identify areas for further development. See also our internal advocacy capacities grid for situations where public or political advocacy is not possible