Legislative Advocacy and Public Policy Work for Academic and Research Library Workers:: Perspectives and Strategies - Paperback

by Raymond Pun (Editor), Sonya M. Durney (Editor), Tarida Anantachai (Editor)

Library advocacy is a deliberate, planned, and sustained effort to develop understanding and support for libraries and the communities they serve. Advocacy is not optional--it is a vital responsibility to protect the integrity and impact of libraries in society.

Legislative Advocacy and Public Policy Work for Academic and Research Library Workers is a comprehensive resource addressing our specific roles in influencing the various legislative and public policies that directly impact academic libraries, our academic communities, and the library community at large. It explores the ways academic and research library workers are engaging in advocacy, from testifying at governmental levels to collaborating with diverse constituents and legislators to bringing our academic advocacy efforts to discussions within state and regional library associations.

As educators and researchers, library workers bring invaluable expertise to the legislative table. We can help ensure that decisions affecting academic and research libraries and their communities are informed, equitable, and aligned with the values of intellectual freedom and lifelong learning. Legislative Advocacy and Public Policy Work for Academic and Research Library Workers offers ways to make meaningful legislative and policy impacts.

Author Biography

Ray Pun is the academic and research librarian at the Alder Graduate School of Education, a teacher residency program in California. In addition, he is a member of the American Library Association (ALA) Policy Corps, where he collaborates with members to engage and support legislative advocacy work and priorities under the ALA.

Sonya Durney is the scholarly communication librarian at the University of New England. Sonya is a member of the ALA Policy Corps and past president of the Maine Library Association (2023-2024).

Tarida Anantachai is the director of talent management at the North Carolina State University Libraries. She has contributed to library advocacy work within groups such as the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), and was a past president of the Eastern New York Chapter of ACRL.