What is Advocacy?

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An advocate is a person who can be counted on in all venues and circumstances to support a particular cause. At every opportunity, such a person will gather their courage, and speak-out or act for the good of the cause in which they believe.

Why do Media Specialists need to advocate?

The role of a school library media specialist is not well understood by many education decision makers. There is a mistaken belief by many people that the Internet is the answer to everything. Funds are being channeled into classroom technology and away from the media center. Media Center staff positions are being cut. The very existence of school library media specialists may be at stake.

The publication of national standards in Information Power, ALA, 1998, and state standards in Quality Library Media Programs for Ohio Schools, OELMA, 1999, gave media specialists an opportunity to reposition themselves. The Advocacy Project initiated by AASL, and in which OELMA is participating, gives the building level media specialist the support and materials needed to be an effective advocate for their media center program.

Can I be an advocate?

Yes. Everyone who believes in the value of libraries to children can be an advocate for school library media centers. Advocacy can be as simple as writing a letter. Or it can be a carefully planned, long-term campaign. Everyone can play a role. The key to being an advocate is taking the time to think about what you really believe. Why are you a media specialist? What is the value of a media center to the students in your school? Are you a media specialist to promote yourself? To become a powerful person? Did you choose your profession because it’s important to help students to be information-skilled, life-long learners in a rapidly changing future? It’s important to advocate for the things that make it possible for you to do your job well. Do it for the kids.

Where do I fit in the big picture?

AASL is carrying out a national advocacy campaign. Our national leaders are working with other national organizations and leaders as advocates for media centers. OELMA is advocating at the state level in Ohio, with other state organizations and government officials. Building level media specialists advocate in their own school districts and communities. It is important that we all coordinate our efforts, and not give decision makers mixed messages. It can be very helpful for local media specialists to contact their state and national elected representatives, but please contact AASL before writing or calling national power brokers, and OELMA before contacting state officials. Sending different messages gives decision makers an excuse to do nothing, or to do what they intended to do all along. Sometimes well-intentioned people cause great harm because they are not informed about ongoing negotiations and proposals.