Advocacy
101: Getting Your Library Story in your Local News
ALA:
1.24.2019
Advocacy
Storytelling 101 shows how one ALA member from Cobb County Public Library built
strong relationships with his local news media. By pitching his library story
effectively to newswriters, the local newspaper put the library on the front
page and highlighted for the entire community how the library has changed the
lives of hundreds of children. While the video shows Tom’s success story,
resources on *ALA’s advocacy website show step-by-step how to start reaching
out to your local journalists and leverage social media to tell your story. WATCH
04:22
Local
media outlets base their news coverage on the priorities of their readers, and
library professionals have unique insight into a community’s concerns. By
building a relationship with news editors and reporters in your local media,
you can join the ongoing conversation about issues that matter to you, your
library and your community.
Decide
what story you want to tell.
Reporters
want to cover “news” – a hot new program or exciting guest speaker – but you
can broaden the scope of the news value to cover the bigger story you want to
tell: libraries strengthen communities.
➤ Offer
a new angle on an existing issue or story. For example, put a human face on how
budget decisions could impact individuals in your community – a great story
when budget decisions are being made.
➤ Show
a trend. If you want to pitch a Labor Day story focusing on services that strengthen
local economies, you might mention that your library, like 73% of public
libraries across the country, assists patrons with job applications and
interviewing skills.
➤ Appeal
to a decision maker’s interests. If your representative is on the House Veterans
Affairs Committee, a story that highlights your library’s services to veterans
illustrates why libraries are worth federal investment. READ
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