The UK version will draw on the expertise, experience and knowledge of EveryLibrary founders and will embed a unique database of supporters at the heart of library campaigning.

LibrariesDeliver.uk, alongside social networks, will enable UK campaigners to build a network of national and local support. This database, which is fully GDPR compliant, is the first step in a multi-year plan to fundamentally change the way libraries are perceived and funded. Supporters will be encouraged to sign up and they can then support campaigns and advocacy work in different ways.

Co-founder of the EveryLibrary Institute John Chrastka says that by building a national coalition of support – not just isolated campaigners and groups – will change the way funders think about their commitment to library services. He says “The data base allows us to establish a long-term relationship with those individuals, to either ask them to take actions at moments of crisis or moments of opportunity. The database is a tool, not the campaign. But it is one that has been missing from the UK advocacy and campaign toolkits. The database itself is a way to not only change the conversation from a policy perspective, it’s a way to change the way the conversation is done.”

EveryLibrary will lend its support to campaign groups, helping to build stronger advocacy skills – both within the profession and within communities. CILIP Chief Executive Nick Poole said: “ As it grows, LibrariesDeliver will focus new attention on policy and funding choices by local councils and national government to demonstrate support for proper library funding. We do all this work in partnership library leaders, local groups and supporters to reach better funding outcomes.”

A full interview with John Chrastka is in the July/August issue of Information Professional, out on 24 July 2019.

Visit www.LibrariesDeliver.uk to sign up and find out how you can help.

Banner image: Patrick Sweeney photographed by Martyn Hicks at the 2019 CILIP Conference.