[kids-lib] What are you going to say next time someone asks what you do and/or why it's important?

[Katie Anderson]

Sometimes we're at a loss when asked to explain the value of our work or to briefly describe are job... which includes dozens of different types of tasks many people can't even imagine. We can actually do both in one sentence if we think a head, and we can prepare a couple different sentences depending on our mood or potential audience. This can be very powerful for our patrons and other stakeholders as well as for us... reminding ourselves what we love about our work and why it's important to us.

Read the instructions and examples on ALA's Association for Library Services to Children's website<http://www.ala.org/everyday-advocacy/speak-out/write-elevator-speech> and the email below to learn specifically about creating a diversity elevator speech.

Here are two elevator speeches I created for myself this morning in about 10 minutes as an example:

*         General: I help librarians learn about best practices to improve youth services so underserved children and teens have more opportunities to keep up academically with their better-off peers.

*         Diversity specific: I help librarians access resources to increase and improve diversity in their collections so every child and teen can find books that will inspire them, that they can relate to, and that reflect the diverse world in which they live.

Next time someone with influence in your community asks you what you do or why it's important, what are you going to say?

Good luck!
Katie

Katie Anderson, Youth Services Consultant
Library Support and Development Services<http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/pages/index.aspx>
Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
katie.anderson at state.or.us<mailto:katie.anderson at state.or.us>, 503-378-2528
[cid:image004.png at 01D0358C.4523C4D0]<https://www.facebook.com/ORLibSupport>  [http://www.thewwwblog.com/images/blogger-logo.jpg] <http://osl-lis.blogspot.com/>   [http://www.aethlonmedical.com/assets/001/5130.png] <https://twitter.com/orlibsupport>   [Picture] <http://www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD/Pages/index.aspx>

From: alsc-l-request at lists.ala.org [mailto:alsc-l-request at lists.ala.org] On Behalf Of Jenna Nemec-Loise
Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 10:17 PM
To: ALSC-L Listserv <alsc-l at lists.ala.org>
Subject: [alsc-l] Take Action Tuesday: Write a Diversity Elevator Speech

The Challenge: Week of Tuesday, March 1

Write a diversity elevator speech using value-based language.

Want to articulate the importance of creating diverse collections and programs at your school or public library?

Hoping to talk to colleagues, administrators, and community members about why diversity in library service to children is so critical?

Use value-based language (VBL) to write an elevator speech<http://www.ala.org/everyday-advocacy/speak-out/write-elevator-speech> (http://www.ala.org/everyday-advocacy/speak-out/write-elevator-speech) that puts the focus squarely on how the library can improve diversity-related outcomes for youth and families in your community.

Identify a potential audience-students, educators, parents/caregivers, administrators, or policy makers-and be sure to tailor your speech accordingly.

Check out the awesome elevator speech infographic<http://www.ala.org/everyday-advocacy/sites/ala.org.everyday-advocacy/files/content/elevator-speech-infographic.pdf> (http://www.ala.org/everyday-advocacy/sites/ala.org.everyday-advocacy/files/content/elevator-speech-infographic.pdf) created by the ALSC Public Awareness Committee for more details and great visuals!

Commit to the Everyday Advocacy Challenge<http://www.ala.org/everyday-advocacy/everyday-advocacy-challenge> (http://www.ala.org/everyday-advocacy/everyday-advocacy-challenge) this spring by joining in on four consecutive weeks of Take Action Tuesday Challenges designed by our 15-member cohort. Post your successes, challenges, and questions to ALSC-L or social media using #EAChallenge.

________________________________
Jenna Nemec-Loise, MLIS
Everyday Advocate. Relationship architect. Community builder. Early childhood specialist.
E: alsc.jenna at hotmail.com<mailto:alsc.jenna at hotmail.com> | T: (847) 917-3402 | Twitter: @ALAJenna<https://twitter.com/alajenna>
Division Councilor, Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
Member Content Editor, ALSC Everyday Advocacy Website & Electronic Newsletter
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