PLA Advocacy Toolkit Guide now available

“Libraries Prosper: A Guide to Using the PLA Advocacy Toolkit,” by Sandra Nelson, is now available for purchase from the Public Library Association (PLA). The first in PLA’s new ‘Train the Trainer series,’ this electronic publication supports “Libraries Prosper with Passion, Purpose, and Persuasion: A PLA Toolkit for Success.”

Designed for a one-day advocacy-training program, this electronic publication will instruct library trainers how to apply the fundamental principles behind “Libraries Prosper” to their own workshops. By using the guide, trainers will be able to create a sample advocacy plan for a library, adapt the general training agenda for specific audiences, answer questions relating to the materials from training participants, provide concrete local examples of how each of the resources in the Toolkit might be used, lead general discussions and group interactions and manage small-group discussion and reporting processes.

Included in the toolkit are sample introductions (pdf file), Trainer’s Guidelines (pdf file), Master Training Program (includes trainer’s agenda, PowerPoint, script and participant handouts) and a modified training program designed for presenting to trustees and library supporters.

“Libraries Prosper: A Guide to Using the PLA Advocacy Toolkit” (ISBN 13: 978-0-8389-9713-0) costs $45, with discounts available for ALA and PLA members is available via the online ALA store. For more information, contact the PLA office at (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA.

Sandra Nelson is the author of “Implementing for Results: Your Strategic Plan in Action” (ALA, 2009) and “Strategic Planning for Results” (ALA, 2008) as well as many other library management books. She is the Senior Editor of the Public Library Association “Results” series.