advocacy [OCLC]

ADVOCACY

Staying in touch with legislators

Insights from Lynda Murray, Director of Government Relations and Public Information, Ohio Library Council

Lynda Murray, Director of Government Relations and Public Information, Ohio LiIbrary Council

For more than 10 years, Lynda Murray has been walking the halls of the Ohio Statehouse and browsing the stacks of Ohio public libraries. Her job is to influence and guide library-friendly legislation to help ensure that libraries are adequately funded and sensibly regulated. She has done her job so well that she is considered one the best representatives of the library community
in the country.

“I have always been proud to represent public libraries because they are among the finest institutions in America. They are the cornerstone of our freedom and an essential part of the foundation of our democracy.”

Age: 52

Undergraduate degree: B.S. Political Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Why you love libraries: They make you think and let you relax.

Working style: I spend most of my time working with library supporters—directors, trustees, friends and patrons on contacting their legislators and other government officials. A former Speaker of the United States Congress said it best, “All politics is local.” Encouraging people to have conversations with their legislators is the best way to lobby.

Greatest achievement: Of course, the LLGSF (Library and Local Government Support Fund) is one of the few remaining earmarked taxes left in Ohio. Although public libraries have seen less money the past two years, the fact that we have remained an essentially state-funded system of public libraries has been a real achievement. In addition, sometimes the best legislation is no legislation at all. Public libraries in Ohio are fortunate that they have relatively few regulations. Compared to schools and other human services, libraries have a great deal of legislative latitude.

Biggest disappointment: In 1997 Ohio’s public libraries withstood a terrible affront by Representative Kasputis and a small number of outspoken people who tried to paint public librarians as pornographers. The hearings in the House committee were extremely difficult, and I have always regretted that I was unable to stop those hearings.

“Encouraging people to have conversations with their legislators is the best way to lobby.”

Best thing about libraries: Everybody loves libraries.

Worst thing about libraries: I can’t think of one!

Top three issues facing libraries: Money, money, money.

Tips for library advocacy: The best advice I ever got in politics came from Speaker Jim Wright of Texas. “In this business,” he said, “you should only have friends, no enemies.” Sometimes it is difficult to treat every elected official with respect, but theirs is a difficult task.

Tips for obtaining library funding: Stay in touch with your legislators. Make sure they understand the impact that your library has on the community. Demonstrate the value of the state’s investment in public libraries.

The future of libraries: If public libraries were to trade on the NYSE, they would have a “buy” signal. They are the information specialists in the Information Age.

Best library legislation: Confidentiality of Patron Records

Worst library legislation: U.S. Patriot Act

Favorite legislator: Senator Randy Gardner

Favorite library experience: I always like visiting a library I haven’t been in. I like to poke around and see how they do things, and talk to the people who work there. I like to watch the patrons leave with arms loaded down with books and tapes and smiles on their faces.