Essential Tips for Reaching Out to Potential Donors :: Lodestar ASU:

Essential Tips for Reaching Out to Potential Donors

Lodestar ASU: 1.16.2018 by Chris Giarratana

Working for nonprofit organizations comes along with many exciting things. It’s one of the few jobs that can keep you motivated especially because you’re making a difference in people’s lives. However, the job has its challenges as well, and one of them is reaching out to potential donors.

Raising funds or getting potential donors’ attention can be one of the most exhausting or perhaps discouraging situations faced by many nonprofit marketers. This may be caused by lack of enough resources, budget, or time.

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1. Build A Strong Social Media Community

As a non-profit marketer, building a social media platform with followers who believe and support your job is quite imperative.

If you use Facebook, it helps a lot to include a “Donate Now” tab on your Facebook page to make it easier for people to donate. When the potential donors click the tab, they should be directed to the donation site. For Twitter, you may run a contest such as a person who likes a tweet first or retweet it would get a reward such as a t-shirt. This will increase your followers.

2. Use Compelling Images

Use of infographics is one good way which proves to be effective as well as entertaining in presenting the message you want to communicate.

3. Compelling Videos

Even in for-profit businesses, marketers have turned into video ads instead of images as they are more visual.

According to Think With Google, about 57 percent of people donate after watching a video of your nonprofit. READ MORE >>

Governor Releases 2018-19 Proposed State Budget :: Includes $9.5 Million to Enhance Public Library Programs

Governor Releases 2018-19 Proposed State Budget

Includes $9.5 Million to Enhance Public Library Programs

CLA News: 1.10.2018 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

This morning Governor Jerry Brown unveiled his final state Budget proposal, as he completes the last year of his term in office.  As part of the Budget package, CLA is pleased to report that the Governor has decided to include some significant funding -$9.5 million in new money - for public libraries in the proposal.  This funding seeks to benefit libraries that need to connect to high-speed broadband or those that wish to increase existing speed, local literacy programs, and creative ways of sharing and delivering library materials.

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The Governor’s Director of Finance, Michael Cohen then addressed the press corps and noted that the state Budget is proposed as $131.7 billion this year and that revenues are up $4.7 billion from last June.  However, he cautioned that the “unknown is the federal tax implications” which Director Cohen said his Department would be actively working to assess in the coming months.

PUBLIC LIBRARY FUNDING IN THE PROPOSED 2018-19 BUDGET

The Governor’s 2018-19 Budget proposes the following:

“Augmentation for Literacy Program – An increase of $2.5 million General Fund ongoing to expand the existing California Library Literacy Services program.”

“One-Time Funding for Broadband Grants - $5 million General Fund one-time for broadband equipment grants, with the expectation that $2 million would support connection for public libraries who lack access to the broadband network and $3 million would expand capacity for libraries already connected.”

“One-Time Funding for Online Service System - $1.5 million General Fund one-time for online systems for use by public libraries to support efficient access to resources.”

$500,000 is also provided for a combination of State Library staffing and taxes related to the CENIC project.

With regard to the library-specific funding in the 2018-19 Budget, the negotiations regarding these particular components in the Budget package were the result of a collective effort between CLA, the Department of Finance, the State Library, and the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) during the Fall months.  READ MORE >>

Escondido Library :: Private Equity Firm Acquires Rita’s Italian Ice, Now Eying California Public Library

Private Equity Firm Acquires Rita’s Italian Ice, Now Eying California Public Library

Huffington Post: 9.14.2017 by Donald Cohen

January. The outskirts of Philadelphia. 23 degrees. It’s hard to imagine anyone buying Rita’s Italian ice.

But Argosy did just that earlier this year.

Specializing in acquiring companies, cutting costs, and selling them for a profit, the Pennsylvania-based private equity firm added the frozen dessert chain Rita’s to its portfolio of investments, which includes a prison phone company and a handful of Pizza Hut franchises, among others.

And now they’re eyeing the library in Escondido, California. That’s right, a public library.

Well, not exactly. Argosy owns Library Systems & Services (LS&S), the country’s largest library management company, which is trying to sell its services to the small city north of San Diego. LS&S is using the same rap—that privatization saves taxpayer money by bringing “optimization” and “efficiency”—that it’s used to gobble up 83 libraries across the country.

While the Escondido City Council seems to have bought in—they voted last month to outsource to LS&S but have yet to sign the contract—taxpayers aren’t having it. The library’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously against privatization and thousands of residents have signed a petition to keep the library public.

Even the American Library Association has weighed in, writing that after privatization the “community will not know how its taxpayer dollars are being spent.”  READ MORE >>

Library Outsourcing Vote Is An Outrage :: Escondido Public Library

Letters Needed for SCA 3-DODD :: by April 26 :: CLA

Letters Needed for SCA 3-DODD :: by April 26

CLA News From the Capitol: 4.17.2017 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

Recently we reported that SCA 3 by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) had a successful hearing in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee at the State Capitol, with the measure passing on a 5-2 party-line vote.

The legislation seeks to lower the local vote threshold from the current two-thirds to 55% for library construction and renovation bond measures.  This bill is sponsored by CLA.

SCA 3 will be heard in the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee on Tuesday, May 2 at 1:30 p.m.  Letters of support from libraries, Friends and Trustees, cities, counties, special districts, and architectural and construction firms are needed.

In the previous policy committee, there was not a strong showing of letters from library supporters, and most recently, the bill has received strong opposition from taxpayer groups.

So, in order to send a message that SCA 3 is of significant importance to the library community, Senator Dodd and the committee will need a much better show of support in the form of letters.

A sample letter is attached to this memo and letters will need to be received by Senate Committee members by Wednesday, April 26. 

In your letters, please explain

> how much the public library in your community is being used

> some of the more popular services

> specific examples of plans to build or renovate a library in your area

Please take a minute today to send a letter of support to the following individuals:

Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee:

The Honorable Henry Stern, Chair
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
State Capitol, Room 3070
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4927

The Honorable Joel Anderson, Vice Chair

Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
State Capitol, Room 5052
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4938

The Honorable Ben Allen, Member

Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
State Capitol, Room 5072
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4926

The Honorable Bob Hertzberg, Member (SCA 3 co-author)
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
State Capitol, Room 4038
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4918

The Honorable Connie Leyva, Member
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee
State Capitol, Room 4061
Sacramento, CA.  95814
Fax:  (916) 651-4920

Please don’t forget to cc: a copy to Senator Bill Dodd (SCA 3 author)

The Honorable Bill Dodd

California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 5064
Sacramento, CA.  95814

Fax:  (916) 651-4903

CLA 2017 Day In The District :: SCA 3-Dodd :: State Budget

CLA 2017 Day in the District

CLA: March 2017

What is “Day in the District?”

“Day in the District” is an effective way to build relationships with your legislator(s) by concentrating your time with the legislator in his or her district office, rather than at the busy State Capitol. Developing relationships with new legislators and bolstering your relationship with continuing legislators is incredibly important for the success of CLA’s advocacy platform.

Library directors, staff, Friends groups and trustees, literacy advocates, and other supporters are encouraged to schedule appointments with their legislators during the month of March.

Advocacy Issue: SCA 3-Dodd (library construction bonds – 55% vote approval)

Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) has introduced SCA 3, which seeks to lower the local voter threshold for library construction bonds from the current two-thirds vote to a 55% vote. CLA is the official sponsor of SCA 3 and we will be actively working to secure passage of the legislation in the legislature.

Advocacy Issue: State Budget

The Governor’s 2017-18 State Budget does not include any new increases for library funding. Due to the Governor’s concerns over a future economic downturn, as well as the uncertainty surrounding federal Budget issues, the Governor released a prudent Budget in January, which “holds the line” on current library funding.

Due to term limits, many of the “library champions” for CLA have recently departed the legislature. CLA is looking for the next generation of “library champions” in the California State Senate and Assembly. Could your legislator be our next library leader?  

    

Materials

·  Tips for Lobbying Your Legislator

·  Key Committee Members

·  Sample Letter

·  Day in the District Ideas

·  SCA 3 Fact Sheet

·  CLA Legislative Visit Worksheet

·  California Public Libraries and CENIC

Helpful Links

·  Find your Assembly Member or State Senator

·  Locate and track bills in the California State Legislature

CLA Advocacy Training with Patrick PC Sweeney

CLA Advocacy Training with Patrick PC Sweeney

CLA Advocacy & Legislation Committee & EveryLibrary

Register Today!

March 9, 2017: 9am – 12N

Millbrae Branch

1 Library Ave, Millbrae, CA 94030

March 10, 2017: 1pm – 4pm

North Natomas Library

Sacramento Public Library

4660 Via Ingoglia, Sacramento, CA 95835

March 13, 2017: 9am – 12N

San Diego Central Library

330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

California needs well-trained librarians to take action to support legislation at the state-level as well as state-wide bond initiatives. There is currently a Senate Constitutional Amendment being brought forward by Senator Bill Dodd to lower the threshold for Bond measures for libraries down to to 55 percent instead of the current required supermajority of 66 percent. This amendment has the potential to drastically improve the quality of library infrastructure in California if passed by legislators in Sacramento and then passed by the voters in 2018. 

Patrick “PC” Sweeney will be conducting a training from EveryLibrary, the National Political Action Committee for libraries, about best practices for visiting and building positive and proactive relationships with legislators and how to take action to support CLA's efforts to move SCA-3 through Sacramento. In this training librarians and library staff will also learn about SCA-3, CLA’s goals and commitment to supporting this initiative, as well as how they can help build local and statewide political support for a future state-wide ballot measure.

Register Today!

$25 - Members

$45 - Non-Members

Governor Brown Releases 2017-18 State Budget Library Funding Holds The Line In Governor’s “Prudent” Plan

Governor Brown Releases 2017-18 State Budget

Library Funding Holds The Line In Governor’s “Prudent” Plan

CLA News From the Capitol: 1.10.2017 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

At 11 a.m. today, Governor Jerry Brown unveiled his 2017-18 State Budget before the press corps at the Capitol.  The Governor called for cautious spending in the coming Budget year due to a projected $2 billion shortfall, as well as the anticipation of federal policy changes under the new Presidential Administration, which might significantly affect the state’s General Fund.  Specifically, related to library funding in the Budget, the Governor does not propose new spending; instead he holds the line on all of the current baseline spending in the various library programs (e.g. California Library Services Act, the state literacy program, and funding for the library broadband project in conjunction with the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California - CENIC).  The Governor did highlight, however, the work of public libraries in a special section entitled, “Investing in California’s Workforce.”

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The Governor dedicates a notable amount of space in his Budget document to the issue of “Investing In California’s Workforce” and he discusses the specific contributions of K-12 schools, community colleges, state universities, and local libraries in this space.  Of note, the Governor has asked the State Librarian to convene discussions in the Spring regarding the opportunities for libraries within workforce development.  Specifically, with regard to public libraries the Governor states:

Role of Local Libraries

“Many other entities play roles as part of pathways in the workforce, and the state’s strategy should consider better integration.  Public libraries already provide a space where students and adults can earn high school diplomas or career certificates online, learn literacy skills with volunteer tutors, or build upon their ideas in dedicated “makerspaces” or innovation labs.  The state now funds high-speed Internet access for many libraries.  Libraries can be hubs for people to access online courses, particularly as libraries are in a unique position to provide the additional support and guidance that some studies suggest is essential for online education.  The State Librarian will engage stakeholders in the spring to create plans to better integrate the libraries into the state’s workforce strategy.”

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The CLA Legislative Committee will be discussing the Governor’s Budget at their upcoming meeting on Friday, January 13.  READ MORE @

Governor Signs 2016-17 Budget and “Trailer Bill” :: Contains $4.8 Million in New Funding for CSLA

Governor Signs 2016-17 Budget and “Trailer Bill”:

Contains $4.8 Million in New Funding for CSLA

News From the Capitol: 6.30.2016 by Mike Dillon and Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

Monday afternoon Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the 2016-17 State Budget and corresponding Budget “trailer bills,” both of which contain new funding for the California Library Services Act.  The Governor issued a press release after signing the Budget bill, SB 826-Leno stating, “This solid budget makes responsible investments in California and sets aside billions of dollars to prepare for the next recession.”  Due to very collaborative negotiations between the legislature and the Governor, when the Governor signed the Budget bill he did not “blue pencil” or make targeted reductions to any of the programs in SB 826.

SB 826:  the 2016-17 Budget Bill

This measure contains $1.8 million in new, ongoing funding for the California Library Services Act.  This amount is added to the current baseline funding in the Act, which stands at $1.8 million -- for a new total of $3.6 million.  This funding continues to restore some of the cuts made to this program during the recent Recession.

SB 1602-Committee on Budget:  “Trailer bill” pertaining to Higher Education

This measure is approximately 90 pages in length and contains numerous provisions related to higher education and other matters, such as the State Library.  Specifically, SB 1602 includes the Governor’s proposal to provide $3 million in “one time funding” (meaning that it must be spent during the 2016-17 Budget year) to encourage the Systems within the California Library Services Act to participate in, or develop innovative programs for, digital delivery and resource sharing.  Throughout the Budget process, CLA strongly supported the Governor’s proposal relative to the $3 million, as well as the $1.8 million mentioned above.  We were pleased when both the Assembly and the Senate Budget Subcommittees adopted the proposals by unanimous votes.  READ MORE @

Assembly and Senate Budget Subcommittees Approve Library Funding for CLSA

Assembly and Senate Budget Subcommittees Approve Library Funding for CLSA 

NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL: 5.24.2016 by Mike Dillon & Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

This morning at the State Capitol, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance approved, without discussion, $1.8 million in “ongoing funding” for the California Library Services Act and $3 million in “one time funding” for CLSA to encourage innovative “digital delivery” projects among the 8 regional Systems.  The vote of the Assembly Subcommittee was unanimous (5-0).  Last week, the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance also approved the same funding motions for the CLSA on a unanimous vote of 3-0.

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The Subcommittees did not approve new funding for broadband grants this year.

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The Conference Committee will likely commence hearings after the Memorial Day weekend in order to meet the Constitutional deadline of June 15 to have the Budget passed and sent to the Governor.  At this point in time, because the Senate and the Assembly adopted the exact same action on the CLSA items, we anticipate that this funding will remain in the Budget.  READ MORE @

GOVERNOR BROWN RELEASES UPDATED 2016-17 BUDGET: Recommends No New Spending

GOVERNOR BROWN RELEASES UPDATED 2016-17 BUDGET

He recommends no new spending with tax revenues down $1.9 billion

News From the Capitol: 5.13.2016 by Mike Dillon & Christina DiCaro, CLA Lobbyists

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The May Revision includes two minor adjustments that were requested by the State Library:  an increase in $56,000 to account for a rent increase for its Sacramento facility, and $505,000 for “services, including publications, database subscriptions, and other resources.”

Highlighted below is additional funding that the Governor proposed for the California Library Services Act in his January Budget and is continued in the May Revise:

•Adding $1.8 million in ongoing funding to the current $1.8 million baseline

•Adding $3 million in one-time funding for the purpose of allowing the regional systems to explore more creative and effective ways to loan and share materials between libraries (e.g. “digital delivery.”)

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STATE’S LEGISLATIVE ANALYST RECOMMENDS LEGISLATURE REJECT CLSA PROPOSAL This week the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office, the non-partisan unit that advises the Legislature and provides annual analysis of the Governor’s proposed Budget, is recommending that the legislature reject the $3 million proposal relative to the CLSA due to lack of specifics about the proposed expenditure.

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Instead the Analyst suggests that the item be deferred in this Budget year, to make way for a year of planning by the State Library, which would include a “proposed timeline for development and implementation and expected outcomes.”  (However, this assumes that the Governor would include $3 million in next year’s Budget, which is clearly now an uncertainty given the declining state revenues.)

Next week the Assembly and Senate Budget Subcommittees on Education Finance will begin reviewing the Governor’s May Revision and will either accept, reject, or modify his January and May proposals.  These subcommittees are the critical first step in ensuring that new library funding is included in the Budget.  Without the support of the subcommittees, it is very difficult to include new funding for libraries down the road in the Budget negotiations.  The subcommittees are on schedule to conclude their work by Friday, May 27.  After that date, the full Senate and Assembly Budget Committees will meet, followed by the commencement of the powerful Budget Conference Committee process, where the final details will be reconciled between the conferees and the Governor.  READ MORE @

Tweetest :: Digital Books | Bookish Statues | Little Libraries | Defend the 10 :: Superlatives from SCLLN

Tweet – Tweeter – Tweetest

Superlatives from SCLLN

In places where #books are scarce digital books & mobile reading can be a solution! http://on.unesco.org/1RezHxF 

#BookDay

@UNESCO  23 Apr 201628 Apr 2016 28 Apr 2016

Bookish statues from around the world:

http://bit.ly/1V9Cmf2

@BookRiot 18 Mar 2016

Build your own #library at the first-ever Little Library festival. http://smithmag.co/nMSmNy

@SmithsonianMag 6 May 2016

Defend The Ten

Guess what: #libraries aren't old hat.

They're the most popular pastime in the country.

@defendtheten  5 May 2016