Advocacy
Municipal advocacy efforts are a year-round undertaking. In order to be successful in maintaining or increasing municipal funding of libraries, Councils and municipal administrators need to fully understand the value of libraries in their communities. There is an opportunity for regions to support their member libraries with advocacy materials, messaging and training for library managers. It is acknowledged that ALTA has a role to play in preparing trustees to advocate on behalf of their boards.
The Systems Advocacy Committee has created these resources for use when you are speaking with your local elected officials. Documents are included below for your reference.
General Advocacy Topics
Last year, the Systems Advocacy Committee created a handout that speaks about the role and value of libraries to people in the community. Library boards should also refer to their respective municipality’s strategic plan priorities, and identify how libraries help municipalities achieve their goals.
Topics
Relations Between Library Boards and Municipal Council/Administration
Provincial Advocacy Resources
The Alberta Public Libraries Coalition was formed in 2025 by large urban libraries to advance the goals of public libraries in Alberta. The coalition has a broad membership that includes public libraries and library systems serving a diverse range of communities across the province. With a mission to work together to promote core library principles, demonstrate value, and share the stories of how libraries enrich the lives of Albertans, the coalition has a powerful and shared voice to advocate for the needs of the communities it serves.
We Need Your Help!
Library Managers
- Edit the MLA letter template to suit your library and share with your library board chair.
- Familiarize yourself and your staff with the issues and be prepared to answer questions and demonstrate your library’s expertise and capability to manage the collection on your own.
- Ensure your library is prepared with a materials challenge process, and a clearly defined collection development policy.
Library Board Chairs
- Send the completed letter to your local UCP MLA by mid-March.
- Familiarize yourself with the issues and be prepared to answer questions and demonstrate your library’s expertise and capability to manage the collection on its own.
- Ensure your library is prepared with a materials challenge process, and a clearly defined collection development policy.
Resources
Urgent Request for Funding Resources
Click here for the MLA meeting request Letter Template (Word Document)
Click here for speaking notes (Word Document)
Click here to find your MLA
Click here to see the Pre-Budget Submission document by the Alberta Public Libraries Coalition (PDF)
Click here to see the funding resolution from AB Municipalities
Click here to see the funding resolution from Rural Municipalities of Alberta
Click here to see the Perceptions of Public Libraries Omnibus Survey Briefing Note (PDF)
Click here to see the Perceptions of Public Libraries Omnibus Research Leave Behind Document (PDF)
Intellectual Freedom Resources
Click here for a sample selection, acquisition, and disposition of materials policy (Word Document)
Click here for a request for reconsideration of library materials form (Word Document)
Click here to view our intellectual freedom blog post
Click here to subscribe to the Edmonton Public Library intellectual freedom newsletter
Contact Us for Additional Assistance
If you have questions or would like assistance with any of these resources, please reach out to Hailey at hhlaberg@prl.ab.ca.
Board Member Recruitment
Issue: How to recruit active, engaged board members.
Ask yourself:
- Is your board trying to recruit new members?
- What skill/experience gaps exist on your board that you could fill with new members?
- Have you struggled in the past to attract and retain engaged board members?
- Do your board members understand their roles and responsibilities? Does your library have a robust orientation program for new board members?
Click here for information on recruiting and selecting library board members.
Click here for resources from the Alberta Library Trustees Association (ALTA).
Click here for the roles and responsibilities of public library boards.
Municipal Funding
Issue: Potential cuts to library operating funds with the expectation that libraries will use reserves for operations.
Ask yourself:
- Using reserve funds for operations is a short-term strategy. What happens the year after this is used in terms of funding? How does the library cope with inflation and other increased costs?
- Using reserves means these funds are not available for capital improvements or repairs. How will libraries deal with these emergent requirements?
Click here for information on library reserves.
Click here for a PowerPoint presentation template to present to council.
Click here for a guide on presenting your library budget to council.
Relations Between Library Boards and Municipal Council/Administration
Issue: How to foster and engage understanding that one doesn’t report to the other, libraries are not municipal departments and have a range of funding streams (Provincial, Municipal, fundraising, sponsorship, fees, etc.)
Ask yourself:
- How can board members strengthen the relationship between library boards and municipal councils/administrations?
- How is your library helping to deliver on municipal priorities? (e.g. economic development, youth and senior programs, etc.) Why is this important?
- What tactics can be used to illustrate the value that libraries deliver for the community? (e.g. informational graphics, short videos, etc.)
The Libraries Act
Issue: Understanding the Libraries Act and its implications for board members and municipal councils.
Library board members play a crucial role in setting policy and governance for libraries, and ensuring that services meet the needs of the community
Ask yourself:
- What is the role of library board members with respect to making decisions about the library? What is the role of the library manager?
- How does the Libraries Act describe the autonomy of library boards? What financial autonomy do library boards have?
Click here for the Libraries Act
Click here for Libraries Regulation - Open Government
Click here for information from the Public Libraries Services Branch (PLSB)
Additional Advocacy Resources
- The Small but Powerful Guide to Building Support for your Rural Library - ALA (download)
- Municipal Election Advocacy Toolkit - The Alberta Library (link)
- PRLS Advocacy Presentation (link)
- Municipal Council Library Orientation (link)
How has the library impacted you? Do you have a happy story to share? We'd love to hear it! Fill out the form below to submit your story.
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