Litzinger, Vicki

CO-Overcoming barriers, CO-School organization

Hand, Dorcas. (2015). You don't have time not to advocate. Library Media Connection, 33(5), 24-26. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=7&sid=7a709a14-c88d-4488-8149-bbda4933394c%40sessionmgr4001&hid=4112.

Summary/Evaluation

Hand tells us that any strong advocacy programs begins with "making sure we have a clear mission to implement which fuels our consistent messaging to stakeholders." (24) She provides arguments for making the time to advocate and gives us several concrete examples of what advocacy can look like given a busy schedule. She also reminds us that librarians should not be the only folks advocating for our libraries and library programs. And finally, she emphasizes asking your stakeholders to speak up for the library and library programming, being the "squeaky wheel" since we "know that the squeaky wheel often gets the grease." (26).

This article was a strong reminder of the importance of advocacy and how to do it. I find it is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of operations and teaching, that advocacy takes a backseat. With examples such as "make yourself visible," (24) "speak up for others," (24) "give student examples," (25) and making sure you have a clear mission and vision, Hand makes advocacy necessary and doable.