- Share - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://about.ebsco.com/markdownify/node/29476) - []() - []() - []() # EveryLibrary’s Library Advocacy and Funding Conference — What to Know EveryLibrary kicks off the first Library Advocacy and Funding Conference. ![everylibrary conference blog image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/everylibrary-conference-blog-image-780.jpg) 31 August 2020 As the current pandemic influences funding decisions and impacts budgets that fund school and public libraries, the importance of library advocacy and funding has increased. To bring together librarians and advocacy and funding experts, EveryLibrary is holding the first-ever [Library Advocacy and Funding Conference](https://www.everylibrary.org/lafconintro). The virtual event, which takes place from September 14-16, 2020, will introduce political experts to librarians and library supporters to provide support and discuss new strategies and tactics to advocate for library funding. Topics will include advocacy outreach, donor research, grants, legislation and more. [LibraryAware](https://www.libraryaware.com/), which is a conference sponsor, recently interviewed [Patrick Sweeney, Deputy Director at EveryLibrary](https://www.ebscohost.com/novelist-the-latest/blog-article/build-connections-with-your-community-for-long-lasting-advocacy), to discuss why this event is so essential to libraries and what libraries can expect from the event. LibraryAware provides tools for libraries to promote themselves, including [advocacy templates](https://www.ebscohost.com/novelist-the-latest/blog-article/advocacy-templates-on-libraryaware) from EveryLibrary. ![](/themes/custom/cog_ebsco/images/pullquote-icon.png) ### Over 98% of library funding is decided by voters and politicians, and in the last ten years, libraries have lost nearly 20% of voter and political support for funding and revenue. This support is vital to library funding, and advocacy will be required to rebuild it. Advocacy is also a skill, with known strategies and tactics that can create real, lasting support for library funding. Sweeney says, “Over 98% of library funding is decided by voters and politicians, and in the last ten years, libraries have lost nearly 20% of voter and political support for funding and revenue. This support is vital to library funding, and advocacy will be required to rebuild it. Advocacy is also a skill, with known strategies and tactics that can create real, lasting support for library funding.” The conference will look to support libraries as they grapple with these realities and bring together minds from various political and government sectors to discuss real solutions. ### Learn more about the Library Advocacy and Funding Conference and register to attend [ Register now ](https://www.lafcon.org/libraryawarereg) Category: [Librarianship ](/blogs/ebscopost/category/librarianship) Tags: [Public libraries](/blogs/ebscopost/tag/public-libraries) - Share - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://about.ebsco.com/markdownify/node/29476) - []() - []() - []() ## Related Posts [ ![Novelist COVID Resources Blog Image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/Novelist-COVID-Resources-Blog-Image-780.jpg) ](/blogs/ebscopost/librarians-rise-challenge-second-responders) [Librarians Rise to the Challenge as Second Responders](/blogs/ebscopost/librarians-rise-challenge-second-responders) 19 May 2020 [ ![John Cotton Dana Winners blog image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/John-Cotton_Dana_Winners-2020-blog-image-780.jpg) ](/blogs/ebscopost/meet-years-john-cotton-dana-winners) [Meet This Year’s John Cotton Dana Winners](/blogs/ebscopost/meet-years-john-cotton-dana-winners) 29 September 2020 [ ![outreach strategies promoting school libraries blogimage ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/outreach-strategies-promoting-school-libraries-blog0image-780.jpg) ](/blogs/ebscopost/outreach-strategies-promoting-school-libraries) [Outreach Strategies for Promoting School Libraries](/blogs/ebscopost/outreach-strategies-promoting-school-libraries) 28 March 2018