This week's advocacy tip comes from Sarah Kelly Chase at Boise Public Library: the Americans for Libraries Council has just released a study called "Long Overdue: A Fresh Look at Public and Leadership Attitudes about Libraries in the 21st Century". You can read this report at http://www.lff.org/long_overdue061306.html. Here are two quotes from the home page:

"An ALC-sponsored study, conducted by Public Agenda and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shows that libraries are poised to lead the way to solutions to today's pressing community problems, including providing a safe and engaging place for teens; building a strong and literate workforce; and extending access to technology. Taking on such challenges is also the best bet for libraries to strengthen their communities and their own funding futures."

"Libraries cannot survive on accolades alone. If public libraries are to compete successfully for dwindling public dollars, they will need to look at opportunities to showcase and strengthen their role in addressing serious problems in their own communities."