No More Neutral: How to Champion the Right to Read

In this course, participants will learn how to clarify their library’s policies, solidify their library’s positions, and clearly communicate their library’s mission, vision, and values. Learn tactics to use to rally community and stakeholder support and how to handle communications should your library be the focus of a book challenge. On top of everything else they need to do, libraries increasingly find themselves at the center of controversy. The American Library Association reports a substantial and alarming increase in the number of book bans and challenges, beginning in 2021. Oftentimes, the library’s efforts to create collection and service policies that fulfill its mission statement of inclusion are the focus of these challenges. These attacks cost money and lower morale and productivity amongst the staff of libraries. They also threaten the very existence of libraries as safe spaces. But libraries do have some power,
when they plan, position, and promote with intention.

Here are the core skills you will learn in this course:

• Concrete tips for strengthening the public’s perception of the library now, including tips on how to promote their mission, vision, and values, the policies they create to protect intellectual freedom, and their place in the community as a safe and welcoming space.
• Strategies for publicly responding to a censorship challenge, including media relations, crafting talking points, and communicating with patrons.
• Successful promotional ideas from real-life libraries designed to educate and empower readers about the threat of book challenges and rally library supporters all year long.

A recording of the remote course will be available for viewing by registered learners for 30 days after the date of the live session.

Instructor Biography: Angela Hursh is the Manager of Library Engagement, Marketing, and Professional Development for NoveList. Angela's background includes more than six years as the Content Team Leader for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and 20 years as an Emmy-award-winning broadcast television news journalist. In her current role for NoveList, Angela helps libraries create effective and engaging marketing with a personalized approach.

This CALL Exclusive is provided by: NoveList