Friday Action for National Library Week
If it's not on the calendar, it doesn't exist
Today we’ve got just one action for you, but it’s probably one of the most important ones you can do! Read on to find out.
FRIDAY, APRIL 28: SHOW THE F*** UP
Action - Find out when your library board or governing body meets next, and make a plan to show up (in person or online).
If you did yesterday’s action, you’re in the know about which elected body is in charge of your local library - is it a city council? A library board? A county board?
If you don’t know, search online for your municipality’s or county’s name and “school board” or “library board.”
Nearly every state requires that public meeting days, times, and agendas be posted publicly online, so you should be able to find out when they’re meeting next.
Make a plan to show up - put it in your calendar, figure out where you’ll park, the whole deal. And then ACTUALLY DO IT. You don’t have to talk or do anything else your first time: just find the public meeting and go to it. Sit through it. Bring a friend! Bring a snack! Follow along on the agenda. Write down your questions.
Some municipalities offer the option to attend a meeting online, or to watch a livestream, or to view a recorded session later - this is also great! Everybody’s comfort level, access to, and ability to attend a meeting in person will vary (and the COVID protocols for different public meetings may be better or worse depending on where you are), so please prioritize your safety and your well-being. Whatever your participation looks like, the important thing is that you know what’s going on, who your elected officials are, what’s on their agendas, and what they’re up to.
This is the heart of democracy - your presence makes a big difference. Plus, once you’ve done it, you’ll know the drill for next time. But paying attention is the first step, so make it real and make it happen.
And if you ARE ready to speak up, check the agenda or the website for rules about public comment: you’ll find out how to sign up to speak, how long you have, when you have to be there, etc. You can download our printable guide of talking points for public meetings right now and prepare what you’re going to say.
If you want to create change, you have to be in the room where it happens. So make a plan, and show the f*** up to your library’s next public meeting! You’ve got this!
It’s almost the end of Library Week, so stay tuned tomorrow for a big round up of all the suggested actions in one place.