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Voting & Elections Toolkits

Voting and advocacy resources by librarians for librarians

Advocacy, Voting & Government Information

Advocating for any cause or issue, including access to voting and elections information and other government information, includes a variety of informal and formal ways that each of us can influence perceptions and knowledge about an issue. This can impact voters,  policy makers, elected officials, administrators, and others who have the power to effect change on behalf of our priorities.

Building relationships within our communities, helping to educate policymakers and elected officials, and engaging with the policy making process itself, through voting or running for office,  are all ways that we can advocate for ideals at the heart of democracy, including access to government information and participation in our government by an informed public.

Sharing stories about how government information helps our patrons and communities is a powerful advocacy tool that anyone can use everyday. 

Listed below are resources that provide information about advocacy efforts by the American Library Association, tools and resources for improving advocacy skills, and ways that GODORT members can get more involved in advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. Voting rights and advocacy resources are also included. Please note, some ALA resources are for members only.

American Library Association Advocacy Resources & Tools

Whether advocating for funding, broadband equity, and access to government information or against censorship and legislation that negatively impacts library workers, ALA has a variety of local, state, and federal resources to help. List below are a few. Explore all of the resources on the ALA's Advocacy page. 

ALA's Guide to Getting Started with Advocacy From best practices for engaging elected leaders and local media, to one-pagers on issues like digital equity, library funding, and more, ALA provides resources to develop a year-round advocacy strategy and information

ALA's Key Principles of Government Information outline their commitment to free access by the public to government information and the necessity of creating, storing, protecting, and providing the easiest possible access to this information to ensure an informed public. 

ALA's Guide to Federal Advocacy Resources & Information Through strengthening connections with members of Congress, grassroots mobilization, and regulatory advocacy, ALA aims to drive federal policy on the issues that impact libraries.

ALA's Guide to Local & State Advocacy Resources As the national voice for libraries since 1873, ALA supports advocates working at the local, state, and national levels to maintain and increase support for libraries, library workers, and the communities they serve.