Libraries are an institution worth preserving

RIVERSIDE, IL - On December 3, EveryLibrary and the EveryLibrary Institute announced the kick-off of the Libraries 2020 campaign, a first of its kind nationwide voter engagement campaign for libraries across the nation. While libraries are well-loved and highly used across the county, their funding is often put at risk during election cycles. EveryLibrary helps libraries build voter support to preserve libraries as an institution.

The EveryLibrary Institute is a non-profit public policy think tank for libraries. All donations made to the Libraries 2020 campaign help EveryLibrary provide free strategic consulting services, training, voter education information and strategic planning assistance to libraries around the nation.

“EveryLibrary’s track record of success building voter support for libraries means that we can quickly put smart donor money to work on a new scale to reach people who care about their communities, their schools, and their neighbors but who haven’t been activated for libraries before,” said John Chrastka, Executive Director for EveryLibrary.

Libraries are Worth Preserving
Libraries are at the heart of early childhood education and lifelong learning. EveryLibrary believes that all people deserve free, open access to our shared culture and heritage. By connecting people to resources and supporting literacy, libraries help improve the quality of life for everyone they touch. They are at the center of our communities because they support every aspect of our community development.

“With the guidance provided by EveryLibrary, the Coalition to Save Our Libraries in Miami-Dade County was born, resulting in a grassroots effort that ended four years of consecutive and crippling budget reductions; closed a $30 million budget shortfall; prevented further layoffs; provided a slight funding increase for new materials, programs, technology upgrades and expanded operating hours at some locations; and created a solid foundation upon which to build. Without the support of EveryLibrary, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for the assistance, direction, and input you provided during our advocacy efforts to support the Miami-Dade County Public Library System.”– John Quick, President (2013-2014), Friends of the Miami-Dade County Libraries – Co-Chair of Coalition to Save Our Libraries

Libraries are the one place in our communities where emerging artists, crafters, and makers can collaborate with other creators to learn, collaborate and discover together. In many communities, the library is the only gallery or performance or creative space that is open to all.

Success of EveryLibrary
EveryLibrary helps libraries close budget shortfalls, end budgetary problems, prevent layoffs and obtain funding increases for critical programs. "Our donors have come together to embrace our vision that any library funding opportunity - or challenge - anywhere should matter to every library everywhere," reported Chrastka. "All of our work for and with libraries is always pro-bono and for free. It’s the right approach and our donors have supported us as we support libraries."

“EveryLibrary helped guide our staff, the board and especially me, as the library director, through a difficult campaign and enabled us to run an energized, informative and well-organized campaign through best practices, sage advice and a little hand-holding. They also kickstarted our fundraising drive for the Campaign Committee with a generous donation, which we were able to build upon to get the donations we needed from local developers, citizens and organizations to purchase the yard signs, mailings and marketing pieces we needed to sufficiently get the word out to the community.”– Hollie Teasdale, Lyons Township (MI) – August 2016 levy loss

Most important of all, EveryLibrary helps increase public support of their local libraries. By cultivating public awareness and by motivating voters, EveryLibrary puts local libraries at the forefront of voter attention.

Make a Donation

Donations can be made on the EveryLibrary website at action.everylibrary.org/donate where donors can give a one-time pledge or a monthly amount.

About EveryLibrary
EveryLibrary is a 501c4 political action committee dedicated to building voter support for libraries. Since 2012, EveryLibrary has provided donor-supported pro-bono advising and consulting to 63 library campaigns helping to win over $220 million in stable tax funding. Beginning in 2016, EveryLibrary has provided strategic and tactical support to school library communities on education and tax policy, along with supporting dozens of challenges to school library budgets and school librarian positions in schools and districts across the country. http://everylibrary.org

ABOUT THE EVERYLIBRARY INSTITUTE
The EveryLibrary Institute is a 501c3, non-profit organization, dedicated to enhancing public and political support for library funding and the visible role of librarians in society. The core work of the EveryLibrary Institute is to advance a research, training, and programmatic agenda that strengthens the public policy and funding framework for libraries and librarians in the future. http://everylibraryinstitute.org

DONATION/PARTNER INQUIRIES:
John Chrastka, Executive Director: John.chrastka@everylibrary.org