Campaign to Convince Floridians of the Value of Libraries

The Florida Legislature focused on property tax reform in 2007, an effort that will continue into 2008 and perhaps beyond. Most public libraries felt an impact for the 2007-08 fiscal year – reduction in funds resulting in reductions in staffing, facilities, and services. On January 29, 2008 Floridians will vote on a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution that will further reduce local government revenue from property taxes.

The Florida Library Association’s Campaign to Convince Floridians of the Value of Public Libraries is a multi-faceted effort to create an informed voting public that will consider the impact on library service as they cast their votes on the amendment. Our campaign is positive in tone – FLA is not requesting that Floridians vote one way or the other. The Association is instead encouraging voters to be aware of the importance of continuing public library services at the existing level.

Everyone interested in libraries, whether a library employee, Friend of the Library, advisory or governing board member, or library user is encouraged to participate in the Campaign by making use of the resources on this page and on the Public Awareness Tools page of this Web site.

Campaign Artwork For Download

• Poster
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• Bookmark
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Fact Sheets About Public Library Service

• Way Beyond Books: Florida's Public Libraries Efficiently Provide Services That are Vital to the Quality of Life in Every Community (pdf)
• Facts About Public Libraries, Internet Connectivity and E-Government (pdf)
• Facts About Public Libraries' Impacts on School Readiness and Summer Learning (pdf)

Editorial Board Meeting and Op-Ed Information

Library directors are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the editorial board of their local newspaper(s) to convince that board to publish an editorial about the value of the library to the community. Getting Op-Ed (Opposite Editorial) articles in your newspaper is another way to get the word out. Start your planning for an ed board meeting and an Op-Ed with Frequently Asked Questions About Editorial and Op-Eds.

Tips for Editorial Board Meetings offers advice for a successful meeting.

Floridians Value Their Public Libraries is a message wheel that is helpful when talking to editorial boards, writing Op-Ed columns, and in media interviews. Here's how it works:

• The core message is at the center of the wheel. That's where you start.
• After presenting the core message, move through the key concepts in order around the wheel. Using the wheel will help you keep on message and out of "the weeds," the weeds being more detiail than the audience can digest. Use local statistics and examples to support the key points on the wheel. And remember, the wheel is an outline and should not be used as a one-way presentation. Instead, use it to have a dialogue with the editorial board