Click here to take action in Fall 2025, to support California Libraries!

(updated August 2025)

At local, state and federal levels, your voice matters!  Advocacy is one of the most important acts a library worker can engage in.  See below for tips, resources, and guidance on how to advocate for libraries.

Getting Started: State Level Advocacy

If you want to speak with your representatives about an issue that impacts libraries, start by:

1. Know your talking points regarding the issue at hand.  Write a brief script with talking points, to keep yourself on topic.

2. Determine who to call.  Use the state’s tool to find your CA representative.

3. Call your representative.  If you leave a voicemail, be sure to include your contact information, so your concern is tallied.

4. Email your representative.  Compose a unique message about why the issue is important to you, or use a scripted message if you prefer.

If you want to set up an advocacy meeting with your representative, start by:

1. Consider partnering with nearby library systems or collaborative members to amplify your message.  Use this handy legislative visit worksheet to get started.

2. Develop a few key talking points, accompanied by personalized stories from your library experiences.  If you’re new to advocacy, read these tips for talking with your legislator.

3. Pull together a one page “collateral” document which you can leave behind, highlighting your talking points and any “asks” you may have.

4. Reach out and schedule your meeting.  In person is great, but virtual is okay, too.

5. At the meeting, share your talking points and anecdotes.  The meeting may be with members of the representative’s staff, with the representative themselves, or both.

6. Follow up with a thank you email.  Be sure to include a few meeting highlights, and attach your collateral. 

If you want to follow legislation in the state of California, here are some great resources:

To find contact information for legislators, watch live hearings, find legislators bios, and more:

• California State Senate Official Website

• California State Assembly Official Website

To keep up to date on legislation and political issues:

• CA Leginfo- An official site, free of charge for users, to look up bills, committee analyses, and search Code Sections of existing law.

• Legiscan- Real time legislative tracking service

• Cal Matters- Access a wealth of information, including recorded hearings on bills, and interesting information about legislators and legislation 

Other state level resources:

• CLA- California Library Association

  • Advocacy and Legislation Committee- email us for assistance

  • CLA Talk Listserv- Pay special attention to the “news from the Capitol” briefs

  • Day In the District Resources

  • Ursula Meyer Advocacy Series (webinars)

• California State Library

  • Reports and resources

• California Public Library Advocates

• California School Library Association

Getting Started: National Level Advocacy

Libraries are facing many challenges at a national level.  Here are some great resources to fight back, against defunding or other challenges:

• ALA- American Library Association

  • Show Up for Our Libraries

  • United for Libraries

  • Frontline Advocacy Toolkit

  • Advocacy 101 (video series)

  • Other Resources

• PLA- Public Library Association

  • Turning the Page

• EveryLibrary

  • Save IMLS

  • Other Resources

• American Association of Law Libraries

• ULC- Urban Libraries Council

Learn More: Professional Development Resources

• CLA’s Ursula Meyer Advocacy Training Series (webinars)

• Webjunction: Advocacy Series (webinars)

• Michigan Library Association: How to Be a Good Advocate (article)

• Illinois Library Association: Top 10 Advocacy Tips (article)

North Dakota State Library Advocacy Series (webinars)

For additional inspiration, click here to read the stories of library advocates in California.