CPD23 - Thing #16 - Advocacy

Omaha Public Library had a wonderful experience two years ago that staved off the threat of staff layoffs and a branch closing.

In our current economic environment, the city government was running several millions of dollars in the red. As a result, all city departments were going to have to cut back drastically. In our case, the library was going to layoff all part-time staff (I don't know how they expected to operate without these workers)and close one branch library.

The area residents living near this branch were very upset to hear that they would lose a vital community resource. At the same time an individual came forward with a "challenge" matching grant offer. If the library could raise $300,000 in one week, the individual would match the money and all library services would be restored.

As one of the laid off workers, I can tell you that I am thankful, AND impressed that the community responded within 3 days to provide all the money for the challenge grant.

These events became such a big news story in Omaha, making all the local TV newscasts and newspapers, that the city government was forced to reevaluate future library budgets, and has not attempted to reduce allotments since.

This is what I call ADVOCACY. The citizens poured out their advocacy for the library in the way of hard currency, and government leaders got the message.