Learn about ways to organize and plan successful library ballot campaigns - either information-only or Get Out the Vote.

1. Information-Only and
Vote Yes Campaigns
Using tips from the best political
campaigns to activate citizen support
for library funding
Building voter support for libraries
John Chrastka
Executive Director
EveryLibrary
john.chrastka@everylibrary.org

2. About EveryLibrary
Founded on the fact that libraries, as public
entities, cannot expend their own funds to do
electioneering.
Associations, as 501c3 organizations, cannot
engage in GOTV speech. The IRS "caps" 501c3
spending for lobbying.
Building voter support for libraries

3. About EveryLibrary
Set up as a 501c4 Social Welfare Organization
chartered to support local library ballot
measures like bonds, referendum, levies and
mills.
Includes support for legislation that impacts
the ability of libraries to function as districts.
Building voter support for libraries

4. About EveryLibrary
Once a measure is before the voters we cannot
work with libraries themselves.
We work with local ballot committees and PACs
set up by citizens to support the measure.
Building voter support for libraries

5. About EveryLibrary
EveryLibrary works with with Libraries to plan
effective Info-Only campaigns:
● Pre-planning and polling
● Technical assistance with campaigns
● Timing Issues in the Public Trust
Building voter support for libraries

6. About EveryLibrary
EveryLibrary works with with local ballot
committees to plan GOTV campaigns:
● Pre-Planning
● Technical assistance
● Campaign consultancy
● Seed or sustaining funding for campaign work
Building voter support for libraries

7. Voter Attitudes
Nationwide, of all voters:
37% will Definitely vote yes
37% will Probably vote yes
26% will Probably or Definitely vote no or
may vote either way.
Building voter support for libraries

8. Voter Attitudes
What do we know about voter perception of
libraries?
● Users vs. Non-Users
● Progressives vs. Conservatives
● Any Tax is a Bad Tax
Building voter support for libraries

9. Voter Attitudes
What do we know about voter perception of
libraries?
● Users vs. Non-Users
● Progressives vs. Conservatives
● Any Tax is a Bad Tax
Nothing Impacts More than their Perception of the
Librarian and the Library as Institution.
Building voter support for libraries

10. What Activates Voters?
Seven Factors:
1. A Reason to Vote
2. Mobilized
3. Personal Contact with Candidate or Issue*
4. Culture/Tradition/Habit of Voting*
5. Trust in Government (pro or con)
6. Decided to Vote
7. Weather/Access to Polls
Building voter support for libraries

11. What Activates Voters
for The Library?
#1 - Nothing Impacts More than their Perception
of the Librarian and the Library as Institution.
#2 - Awareness that there is a Measure on
the ballot.
Building voter support for libraries

12. Informational and “Vote Yes” Campaigns:
● Walking*
● Phoning*
● Events
● Social and Web
● Signs
● Mailers
Techniques That Work
Building voter support for libraries

13. Running a Library Campaign
1.Types of Campaigns
2.Messaging That Works
3.Techniques That Work
4.Funding Partners
Building voter support for libraries

14. Informational Campaign
● Planning
● Know Your Limits
● Marketing and Awareness
Vote Yes Campaign
● Planning
● Filing
● Awareness and GOTV
Types of Campaigns
Building voter support for libraries

15. Know Your Allies
Inventory Your:
1. Educational Partners
2. Social Welfare and Religious Partners
3. Governmental Partners
4. Civic Partners
5. Business Partners
6. Politicians
Building voter support for libraries

16. The Library as:
● Educational Partner
● Economic Development Engine
● Social Leveler
○ Connect with Changing Technology
○ Legitimacy as Institution
○ Trust in the Librarian
Messaging That Works
Building voter support for libraries

17. Message that Work
The Library as Incubator
● Businesses
● The Arts
● Community Identity
The Library as Leverage
● Retail Anchor
● Grants and Capacity
● Access to Tech
Building voter support for libraries

18. Info-Campaign Team
Who can say what to whom matters:
Staff
Friends
Trustees
Super Friends
Building voter support for libraries

19. Vote Yes Committee
● Not the Library
● Not the Friends
● Not in Governance
Dedicated to helping Get out the Vote for the
library Measure - as citizens, neighbors, and
stakeholders
Defined role for the campaign season.
Building voter support for libraries

20. GOTV PrePlanning
● Voter Data - Enhanced Voter File to
ID frequent voters
● Volunteers for Committee
● Volunteers for GOTV
● Budget
● Funders
Building voter support for libraries

21. Allies in “Vote Yes” Funding:
● EveryLibrary
● Labor and Unions
● Fire and other Public Sector Unions
● Construction and Building Trades
● Business Community
● Individual Donors
Funding Partners
Building voter support for libraries

22. In Every Case...
Building voter support for libraries
● Walk your Precinct
● Actively say “Vote Yes”
● Answer Challenges with Legitimacy

23. Thank You
www.everylibrary.org
@everylibrary
facebook.com/everylibrary
everylibrary.tumblr.com
Building voter support for libraries
John Chrastka
Executive Director
EveryLibrary
john.chrastka@everylibrary.org