Our Advocacy Committee works to:
- Increase public awareness and support for libraries with both government officials and local citizens.
- Advocate for a fully funded county budget as submitted by the Executive Director of the library.
- Monitor issues, policies, and legislation relevant to the continuing health of public libraries at the local, state, and national level.
- Coordinate the Branch Liaison program which supports a relationship between Friends and branch library staff.
Over the past year, the Advocacy Committee:
- Secured a proclamation from Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs to recognize Friends during National Friends of the Library Week.
- Manned a booth at the City of Knoxville Neighborhood Conference to share information on Friends and library programming.
- Celebrated National Library Week, delivering $10 Chick-fil-A gift cards and personal notes to all 190+ library staff.
- Worked with Friends of Tennessee Libraries to identify opportunities for advocacy and support for libraries.