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18 COGNOTES ALAANNUAL.ORG/MOBILE–APP|#ALAAC19 HIGHLIGHTS Librarians Watch Podcasts in Exhibits Jason Reynolds on Libraries Within Us Reynolds » from page 1 to be encouraged to share their personal and unique reactions to sometimes common human experiences.   By design, the sections of Reynold’s keynote resembled the storytelling structure of his newest book, Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks (Simon and Schuster, 2018). “We need to keep sharing and appre- ciating narratives that are not our own,” Reynolds emphasized. “This is how people become safe spaces, and remain walking, talking references for each other,” he said. With song and story, Reynolds showed the audience how stories – and, by extension, the libraries which provide them – are truly sacred. He encouraged librarians to continue their work as architects who build human libraries into living stores of information, which transcend physical places, to ensure A main feature of the Sound Garden was the Live from the 25 Podcast Booth. Throughout the event, attendees watched podcasts being recorded live. Topics ranged from country music and children’s books, to tree dreams, to the art of enchantment, and much more. ALA Executive Director Opportunity Libraries are an iconic feature of American life. In study after study, libraries are ranked among the public’s most trusted sources of information. They have introduced users to the joy of learning and the magic of books; have offered a safe and productive haven for study, research and reflection; and have transformed users’ lives through educational programs and community resources. Not only have America’s libraries changed the lives of many of their users, they themselves have transformed as societal needs, technology, and other forces in the economy have dramatically reshaped their role and nature. Libraries of all types have adapted to the digital age and are committed to meeting the evolving needs of their communities. In July 2017, Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels retired after serving the American Library Association (ALA) for 15 years. His tenure was marked by important developments in the field and the association. Mary Ghikas, formerly senior associate executive director, is now serving as the executive director. Ghikas will serve as the executive director through ALA’s midwinter meeting, in January 2020.  Upon the start of a new executive director, Ghikas will become the deputy executive director and she will work to support the orientation and transition of the new executive director through ALA’s annual conference in June 2020. ALA seeks a dynamic, innovative, entrepreneurial, and experienced leader as its next executive director. Founded in 1876, ALA is the world’s oldest and largest library association and promotes the work of libraries and the value of professional library and information science education. It advocates for issues and values that are important to the field and to a free and open information society. ALA achieves these goals through its programs, publications, conferences, professional development, and outreach work. The Association, headquartered in Chicago, Ill. represents over 58,000 members, has a staff of 260, and an annual budget of $52 million. The ALA also has an office in Washington, DC. The position of executive director of the American Library Association offers an extraordinary and exciting opportunity to champion, represent, and support one of the most trusted and valuable institutions in American society. The next executive director will be able to leverage the organization’s strong reputation and the passion and dedi- cation of the Association’s members, staff, and elected leaders to build even stronger support for libraries, those who work in them, and the millions of users who benefit from them. ALA will offer a competitive salary based on experience. ALA offers a comprehensive and valuable benefits package that includes generous paid vacation and retirement annuity. ALA has engaged Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist with this important search. To contact them, please email Marc St. Hilaire (msthilaire@ IMSearch.com) or Pamela Pezzoli (ppezzoli@IMSearch.com). For additional information about this opportunity, please visit https://www.imsearch.com/searchdetail/S6-883. How to Hug a Porcupine? Tell Them a Story By Elizabeth Uchimura, Florida State University The United for Libraries President’s Program invited Bradford Fitch, president and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF), to speak on June 23 about effective advocacy strategies at local, state, and federal levels. Fitch emphasized the impactful role of storytelling and personal identification when communicating with representatives at any level of government. Drawing from his extensive experience on Capitol Hill, Fitch outlined preferred methods of advocacy at the national level that easily transfer in most other situations. Fitch described the environment on Capitol Hill as an emergency room – a lot of people working long hours and making big decisions that affect other people’s lives. On average, congress members can work up to 70 hours per week during the legislative session, taking on an average of 13 meet- ings each day. The goal of advocacy, then, is “to build a relationship so that when the meeting’s done, they think about you and your issue.” Here are some of the ways that Fitch and the CMF have found to be the most effective when contacting any representative: Identify yourself and your activity in the community that they serve. Mass emails, phone calls, or letters without some type of personalized reference to your role in the community garner significantly less response from representatives because they are less able to make a connection with you. Fitch stressed that librarians and library staff operate within a unique sphere of influence called “grasstops” that includes organization leaders, business owners, and elected officials within a community. Since these leaders represent bigger swaths of their area, they also carry more clout to leverage with their representatives. Tell a personal story Effective advocacy means wooing with facts and getting others to back the cause, Fitch explained, which is best done through storytelling. Representatives, at their core, are serving people, and the more that you can humanize their work and their ability to work for you, the better. Fitch’s tips for bringing the most effective story to the table are: ƒ Begin with the end in mind – know what you’re specifically asking of your representative ƒ Set the stage and paint a picture of what’s at stake – be as descriptive as possible ƒ Explain the struggle or fight that you’re facing ƒ Include a surprise that makes the story memorable ƒ Introduce the potential for success and joy ƒ Finish with a hook ƒ Connect in person and online Representatives still value in-person meetings the most, which can be achieved through office meetings, town hall attendance, or invitations for the representative to attend events at the library or business. Social media also continues to gain traction with representatives if you still identify yourself and your activity in the community. Remain civil and respectful While the topic may be contentious, representatives are human too, and respond better to respectful discourse over anger. Being able to articulate both sides of an issue and remind your representative that you understand their position can go a long way to creating and maintaining an impactful connection with your representative. Fitch closed with a perfect quote from Thomas Jefferson: “We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.”