A Values-Aligned Budget: Framing Your Library’s Funding Request for the post-COVID Era

Session archive (Somehow we only managed to capture audio and chat for this session)

Session Slides (PDF)

Library leaders need a keen understanding of the emerging post-COVID social and political climate of their towns, cities, and counties in order to position their libraries for future funding success. This starts with the knowledge that funders are not always users and that their decision to fund the library is not generally based on self-interest. Funders – whether elected officials or donors – are often motivated by compassion or pride and may be interested in evidence-based policymaking.

Coming through COVID, budgets in many communities are tight and revenue projections are uncertain. In this 90 minute webinar for non-district library trustees and staff leadership, John Chrastka, Executive Director of the public policy organization EveryLibrary Institute, will discuss actionable ways to reframe, rework, and even rewrite your municipal or county budget proposal for stability and even growth. The only expert in how your library can affect real change and support your community is you. The key to communicating about your funding is knowing what messages resonate with – and activate – current and potential stakeholders.

About the Presenter:

John Chrastka is the executive director of the EveryLibrary Institute, a non-profit think tank for libraries, and EveryLibrary, the only national political action committee for libraries. EveryLibrary Institute creates and publishes original research on public and funder attitudes about libraries. Since 2012, EveryLibrary has supported public libraries in numerous funding negotiations with elected officials and on 115 election days to help to secure over $1.8 billion dollars in stable tax money for libraries.