welcome. “all politics is local” live by this statement
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome
“All Politics is Local”
Live by this statement
You are a Politician We are ALL politicians! You head a public institution! Your success or failure is based
on the will of the public!
Wearing the “Influencer” Cape
“We have nothing to fear but fear itself”
You don’t have to become someone else—just harness the best of your skills!
A personal commitment
Building Support & Influence
Step 1: Begin with Community Support
Market your library Market yourself
Market Your Library Reach out to donors and other
potential allies Make your library the cultural
center of the community Make sure your library
impresses
Publicity, Publicity, Publicity!
You can never have too much! Get the message out there Advertise library events
through newspapers,
radio and television
Market Yourself
Look the part Sell yourself Speak up Speak articulately
How are you perceived by
your community?
SMILE Ensure a credible
perception
Don’t be shyBeing shy will get you nowhereDo not wait for someone to give
you somethingArticulate your needs
Be a JoinerAre you a member ? Be visible, dependable Always follow through
Building Influence & Support
Step 2: Developing those strategic relationships
Arm yourself with a strong boardCultivate Legislators and other
powerbrokers
Create a Strong Board Boards are critical to the success of
a library Power brokers of the community
make excellent board members Be prepared when seeking them out
to serve your library’s interests
Cultivating Legislators
Before they are elected After the election During their tenure
When you meet…
Create an Opening Statement Offer a firm handshake & look
them straight in the eye Initiate a conversation
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
Vote in Every Election! No one knows how you vote,
but they can find out if you vote!
If you vote, Legislators will pay more attention to you!
Helpful Hints Do not be too “chatty” Stay on Point: “Libraries, Libraries,
Libraries” Be cheerful and nice Attend their fundraisers Get to know their staff members
They have been electedNOW WHAT????
Keep up the good work!! Make a good friendship
count for THEM and for YOU
For them: Be the Person that…
Introduces legislators to others Is helpful and accommodating Shares info and keeps them
posted Be their “go to” person
Making a good friendship count for you
Support for PR Support for fundraising Support for grant writing
For you… People around you take noticeHelps you negotiate/deal with
others
Reciprocation
Public clout = political clout = public clout = political
clout
Have you made it????
How will you know??? Is there a signal???
….Can’t stop now!!!!
In those delicate situations
You have trust/willingness to listen
Respect Shared desire to reach common
goal: serve the community!
Keeping that Relationship
Be cheerful and pleasant Never complain or embarrass Be honest and ethical
Be a Good Salesman Be Prepared
Know your facts
Know your library
Know your community
Know your audience
Find Support from GroupsUse their help
Get Help From:
Your Board
Other Area Librarians
You never know what you may find!
Be A Risk Taker Be Prepared & Knowledgeable
Know you are Worthy!!!
Your Community Needs A Library!!
Libraries Deserve to be Well Funded!!
Don’t Be Bullied!!!!!!!!
When things go wrong…You CAN make things betterBe direct and diplomatic Try again/try something newIf needed, give space and rebuildLearn from it and move onIf you started strong, it’ll be OK
When things go right…
You’ll get something your library needs
Make new friends/gain new supporters
Discover something important
Be Tenacious!!!
Never Give Up!!!!
If not this year…….
Maybe next year will be your
lucky year !!!!
Questions???
