You selected a
Yes, in advocacy you need to speak effectively about your service - but advocacy is not just telling people what you do, it is about targeting whom you speak to and getting them on board as advocates for your service.

You selected b
Yes, speaking out is an important element of advocacy - however good a job you are doing, if you don't speak out about it and win support, that good service may be cut if people with influence don't realise its value.

You selected c
Yes, winning influence and friends is important. Advocacy is all about building up this support, and having a network of library advocates ready to speak out is invaluable.

You selected d
No, telling people that your service is popular is not enough in advocacy. You need to have a fully thought through advocacy plan with clear targets, messages - and evidence about why your service is popular and the impact it makes for its users.

You selected e
Yes, getting people to speak on your behalf is a main element of advocacy - this could be key people in the community who can ensure that your message is heard at a high level, or users with testimonials about how much the library has helped them.

You selected f
Yes, pressing your case persistently and strategically is necessary in advocacy. Think carefully about how to reach your key audience and then how best to follow up any communication to ensure that your message is being heard.

You selected g
Yes, one of the main concepts in advocacy is building and spreading your map of influence.

You selected h
No, advocacy is not the same as promoting and publicising a service. so that people will use it; it's about persuading people of the value of the service so that they want to partner it, speak up for it, give money to it! - and use their power to help it continue and develop.

You selected i
Yes, advocacy is a very specific management tool. Libraries often use it informally but not in a very structured way. Each service should develop an overall library advocacy strategy, and make sure that advocacy work is in at least one senior manager's job description.

Q2. Why do you need advocacy?
Choose reasons from those listed below.

To get more people using your service
To get more money for your service
To get people knowing about your service
To get more people talking about your service
To get status for your service

You selected a
No, you don't need advocacy for this. Good publicity and promotion will get more people using your service.

You selected b
Yes, a well-developed advocacy strategy will help you persuade potential funders of the value of your service.

You selected c
No, you don't need advocacy for this. Good publicity and promotion will get more people knowing about your service.

You selected d
Yes, both good (or bad!) publicity, and an advocacy strategy, will get more people talking about your service - but if you want them to talk about your service to widen your network of influence and support, then advocacy is what you need.

You selected e
Yes, advocacy will help you get status for your service: and status will help you get influential support -and funding.

Summary

Advocacy is pressing your case and winning a network of support. Good advocacy can improve the support, appreciation and status of your service - and the funding!

Now look at how you can create an advocacy strategy.