LAFCON 2020 Drew 1,000+ Library Leaders for Groundbreaking Conference
In September 2020, over 1,000 library leaders from around the world gathered online to learn effective advocacy and funding techniques in the first-ever Library Advocacy and Funding Virtual Conference (LAFCON). In 2022, we are back with new programs, interactive sessions, and up-to-date information to help people plan to campaign and win the funding they need to serve their communities and keep libraries working.
With a total attendance of 1,061 people from the US, Canada, UK, EU, Japan, India, and Australia, library leaders were able to network and collaborate on solutions to library funding problems. The 2020 conference included 52 top-quality programs and sessions from leaders in the political, philanthropic, and policy sectors focused on improving funding for libraries. All presenters were hand-selected from some of the largest campaigns, advocacy groups, fundraising organizations, and large corporations to deliver new ideas, strategies, and tactics for rebuilding support for library funding.
Twenty-two library industry corporate sponsors supported free access to the conference for state and provincial library leaders and scholarships for unemployed library workers. Sponsors included Bibliotheca, Follett Learning, Mango Languages, Gale, LibrayAware, and Counting Opinions.
“I was excited about the opportunity to bring experts from outside of libraries to share a deeper knowledge of political tactics with our library community,” says Patrick Sweeney, EveryLibrary's Political Director. “With over 90% of library funding coming from the will of the voters or local politicians, it’s critically important for library leaders to understand modern, effective techniques for building power and influence. I am proud of LAFCON’s role convening and leading our sector.”
One attendee said of the 2020 conference: “I have a 25-page document of notes that I intend on summarizing and presenting to various team members at my library. I highlighted many actionable steps that will show ways that we can put this information to use today.” Another attendee said, "Your offering was quite extensive. Wish I had some of the advocacy training last year when we had to run a 6-week referendum campaign." In the post-conference survey, 86% of attendees reported learning new information for their work. Two-thirds of survey respondents said they would definitely do LAFCON again. "The conference was fantastic. I got some really great information and have several action steps to take using what I learned," said a third.
This fact is a key reason that the Library Advocacy and Funding Conference was focused on stabilizing and increasing revenue, taxes, donations for libraries. With so many uncertainties looming, it is critical for library leaders to be prepared with information and forecasting data as well as empowered with new and effective skills for political action, donor cultivation, and campaigns, and power building.
John Chrastka, executive director, EveryLIbrary and the EveryLibrary Institute, says: "I’m proud that LAFCON’s programs brought home how interconnected libraries are with the rest of government and education.” In all, attendees at the Library Advocacy and Funding Conference had an opportunity to learn from over 50 pre-recorded sessions. Proceeds from the conference were dedicated to building the advocacy ecosystem for libraries in the US and abroad. Following the 2020 conference, EveryLibrary Institute donated 25% of net registration fees to state library associations (or a national library association if outside the United States) in order to help those associations weather difficult financial times.
We were so proud when one other attendee said, "I want to thank EveryLibrary, the EveryLibrary Institute, all sponsors and speakers for putting on one of the absolute best conferences I have ever attended. I learned so much and I can't wait to put it all into practice at my library."
Save the date for LAFCON 2022 from September 26-28. Registration for the 2022 Library Advocacy and Funding Conference opens in March.