Legislation

September 23, 2025 by John Chrastka

36 Messages for 36 Audiences: Tailoring Advocacy Across Political Frames

School library advocates often default to a single message: “This will help kids.” For many audiences, that’s powerful. But not everyone listens through the same lens. What resonates with one policymaker may leave another unmoved. In advocacy, message discipline is not about repeating the same words everywhere. It’s about adapting the message to the audience […]

September 8, 2025 by John Chrastka

Six Types of Legislative Witnesses: Rethinking Testimony and Messaging

When a bill is considered, the testimony and messaging surrounding it can influence whether it progresses or stalls. School librarians often rely on one approach to advocacy: sharing heartfelt stories about how libraries benefit children. While these stories are impactful, they are not the only way to convey their message. In reality, there are at […]

September 1, 2025 by John Chrastka

Beyond Talking Points: The Importance of Policy Depth

Much of school library advocacy is built on stories. We share anecdotes about the child who discovered themselves in a book, the family who found a welcoming space, and the teacher who relied on the library for instructional support. These stories are crucial; they form the heart of our profession and inspire many of us […]

More Recent Posts

The Seven Bills That Will Safeguard the Future of School Librarianship

October 13, 2024 by John Chrastka

The future of school librarianship requires strategic legislative action to safeguard these vital roles. This article outlines seven key legislative and policy proposals designed to protect and strengthen school libraries, ensuring equitable access to resources and intellectual freedom for all students.

Pre-Session Legislative Advocacy

September 12, 2023 by John Chrastka

In light of the 2023 legislative session, state school library associations should consider reframing their legislative strategies and shift focus to the pre-session or intersession period as a way to engage electeds outside of the intensity of the regular session. Education policy and funding are largely set at the state level. State school library associations […]

Who Writes the Rules in Your State?

September 5, 2023 by John Chrastka

Post-legislative advocacy is an essential component of the education policy process, particularly when it comes to rulemaking in states. Your state school library association should anticipate involvement in implementation and rules-making as a core component of post-legislative advocacy. Being involved in rulemaking can help to mitigate the impact of a bad bill on the profession, […]

The Value of Field Candidate Surveys

September 1, 2023 by John Chrastka

State school library associations can play a key role in shaping your state’s educational policy landscape. Your influence should stretch beyond the profession into the educational ecosystem. As the 2024 state legislative and school board primaries approach, it’s essential for state library associations to take an independent, proactive approach to pre-legislative advocacy. One useful technique […]