The OLC has put together a number of tools to help you become a powerful advocate for Ohio’s public libraries.

Advocacy Calendar

2020 Advocacy Calendar (PDF)
Month-by-month calendar of advocacy activities and ideas to use at your library throughout the year.

Talking Points

Ohio Libraries Respond Talking Points (PDF)

Fact Sheets

• “Did You Know?” Fact Sheet (PDF)
• History of Library Funding in Ohio (PDF)
• Public Libraries and Workforce Development (PDF)

Survey Results

• April 2020: Ohio’s Public Libraries Respond to COVID-19 Crisis (PDF)
• Sept. 2020: Public Libraries Support Students, Parents, Entire Communities During Pandemic (PDF)

Legislative Contacts

• State Legislative Candidates and Addresses (download Excel file)
• Find My Legislator – Ohio House and Senate
• Contact Information and Social Media Accounts for the 133rd General Assembly
• Find your Legislative Network contact (PDF)
• Format for Legislative Office Visit (PDF)

Tools and Templates

• Who’s My Legislator? bookmark template (PDF)
• How Our Library is Funded template (PDF)
• Library Statistics template (PDF)
• Letter from the Director template | Word  or  PDF

Return on Investment

Local ROI Calculator (download Excel spreadsheet)
Within the document are four tabs:

1. Instructions on how to complete the calculator
2. Actual ROI Calculator
3. Explanation of what the ROI figures mean and how to utilize them; and
4. Notes on the pricing and cost assumptions.

NOTE: It is helpful to print the “Instructions” worksheet first and gather your information before entering the data.

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Public Libraries…

• provide public access to the internet, computers and the latest technology (including mobile WiFi hotspots, 3-D printers, and more).
• help Ohioans find jobs and provide online educational courses and tech training.
• offer literacy and homework help for children.
• serve as the hub for their community and a place for people to gather (at a 6-foot distance, of course!).
• collaborate with private groups, food banks, and state and local government entities to help deliver local services.
• provide life-long learning opportunities and programming for all ages.
• offer personalized, one-on-one support to find unbiased and well researched information as well as community resources.