Use National Story to Raise Awareness of Library Value

Recently the Today Show ran a segment on the important role libraries play during the recession, using data and resources provided by the ALA and public libraries: Libraries lend a hand in tough times

The ALA Public Information Office worked with the Today Show on this segment and has followed up to encourage NBC affiliates to take up the story locally. But you can help extend the reach of this positive story
in several ways:

1. Include the Today Show link on your library Web site
2. Reach out to your local media this week with your local story (particularly NBC affiliates), complemented by national data from the ALA. Two key data points from the Today Show were: 73% of public libraries report they provide the only free access to the Internet in their communities. This rises to 83 percent for rural libraries. Also, 68 percent of Americans have a library card.
3. Take advantage of free ALA resources to help tell your story to media, elected officials and funders:Job-Seeking in U.S. Public Libraries (PDF)
   Using data from the Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study,the issues brief discusses the range of library resources available to job seekers and the challenges to maintaining these services. Additional briefing reports. Get a free copy of the PDF by emailing Larra Clark.

   Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit
   Get tips, tools and messages that work.

For questions or support around media outreach, please contact Macey Morales or Jennifer Petersen in the ALA Public Information Office. For questions or support around advocacy tools, please contact Marci Merola or Jaclyn Finneke. For questions or support around statistics and research, please contact Denise Davis or Larra Clark.