Telling the Library Story to Increase Public Support

For the past generation of librarianship, public libraries have been in trouble. Until about 2008, library use was rising across the United States, but at the same time, support -- the willingness of average citizens to pay for library services -- was falling. Now, even before the pandemic, usage was falling, too. Clearly, a generation of library advocacy has fallen short. But what works? That is, what does the research tell us about why people do or don't believe in the power of tax investments? And more crucially, can you change the minds of non-supporters? How?

Presenter

Jamie LaRue is the CEO of LaRue and Associates. Author of "The New Inquisition: Understanding and Managing Intellectual Freedom Challenges," Jamie was a public library director for many years, as well as a weekly newspaper columnist and cable TV host. From January of 2016 to November of 2018, he was director of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, and the Freedom to Read Foundation. He has written, spoken, and consulted extensively on intellectual freedom issues, leadership and organizational development, community engagement, and the future of libraries.