The PLA Spring Symposium Turning the Page workshop began with a video welcome from Bill Gates Sr., his opening line: “I’m Bill Gates, the other one.” The father of the man who brought us Microsoft gave a warm and inspiring welcome to the 100+ attendees. He encouraged us to use the workshop to strengthen our advocacy skills, network with colleagues and to reflect. He told us that his son Bill and wife Melinda have fond memories of going to the library as children and that as adults they realized there was a divide between those who had access to information and those who didn’t and they knew libraries could help bridge that gap. The Gates set out to help close that gap by working with libraries.

Ten years later, nearly every public library in America offers computer access and Mr. Gates Sr. was quick to thank librarians for all their hard work to make that happen and to make libraries more relevant than ever.But challenges remain. While libraries are more needed than ever the public often isn’t aware of how much funding is needed to keep them going. The Gates Foundation’s support of  PLA and libraries through the Turning the Page program to help libraries get the training to get the funding and support they need. Gates ended his talk reminding librarians that they must be the chief advocates for libraries.

Workshop attendee Clara Bohrer, Director of the West Bloomfield Township Public Library (MI), a past president of PLA who was involved in the earliest stages of PLA’s advocacy efforts observed:  “As part of the group of PLA staff and member leaders that met with the Gates Foundation personnel on PLA’s vision for providing advocacy training, I’m pleased to be participating in the end-product and appreciative of the support of the Gates Foundation. With the dire funding issues facing public libraries now, it is extremely important for libraries to engage in in effective ongoing advocacy efforts.”