CILIP, EveryLibrary partner on data project to advocate for libraries

In the UK, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and US firm the EveryLibrary Institute have launched a new project that uses data to mobilise public library supporters in the event of potential library closures, reports the Bookseller.

The project, which has £150,000 (A$269,000) in Arts Council funding, brings existing campaigns together, expands their support and creates an accessible database of supporters for libraries to harness.

CILIP CEO Nick Poole said the idea was born out of discussions over how to build their lobbying effort in the face of cuts to council funding and the fear of more deep cuts with Brexit looming. ‘A lot of our campaigning has struggled to cut through against public sector austerity. We were looking for a new more effective approach for advocating for public libraries,’ said Poole.

According to Poole, the project would be a ‘huge benefit’ in a situation where a council announces it is consulting on library closures. ‘The first thing we’d do is flash an alert around the whole database saying the consultation is underway,’ said Poole. ‘Then we’d work with a local group to a run a campaign and forge a database of local supporters.’

According to EveryLibrary, the organisation has secured US$1.7 billion (A$2.53b) in tax funding for libraries in the US through its advocacy movements. More than 10,000 library supporters have signed up to the UK database, with the organisations hoping to grow that to 35,000 in the first year.

Category: Library news International