Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries
Encyclopedia
The Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries (CFWL) is the state level public relations
(PR) and advertising campaign
that seeks to promote a wider understanding of the value and importance of Wisconsin
libraries. This ongoing, multi-media publicity campaign was initiated in 2006 by the Wisconsin Library Association Foundation
(WLAF).
The Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries provides a collective voice on behalf of Wisconsin libraries of all types (academic, public, school, and special) to address the challenge of funding cuts, service and staffing cuts, aging collections, and deteriorating physical infrastructure taking place in the library community. This centralized state level multi-media publicity campaign benefits all libraries, but especially those with limited promotional resources. The Campaign builds on national-level efforts, such as those initiated by the American Library Association
to promote libraries, efforts that are in keeping with the purpose of Wisconsin library advocacy
.
The WLA Foundation’s initial financial commitment to the Campaign included hiring a public relations professional to develop campaign themes and produce print and radio public service announcements. Current financial support from the WLA Foundation to the Campaign goes to:
The Wisconsin Library Association Foundation
has made a commitment to raise a minimum of $100,000 each year to fund the Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries. Significant funds are necessary to maintain the Campaign, which utilizes professional assistance in its planning, design and implementation. Donated funds are not used for lobbying
or political advocacy. Campaign fundraising
activities include recruitment of Supporting Partners, solicitation of contribution from individuals and organizations, and special events.
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
(PR) and advertising campaign
Advertising campaign
An advertising campaign is a series of advertisement messages that share a single idea and theme which make up an integrated marketing communication...
that seeks to promote a wider understanding of the value and importance of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
libraries. This ongoing, multi-media publicity campaign was initiated in 2006 by the Wisconsin Library Association Foundation
Wisconsin Library Association Foundation
The Wisconsin Library Association Foundation is the charitable arm of the Wisconsin Library Association . The WLA Foundation, incorporated in 1996 as a 501 charitable public foundation, is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, United States....
(WLAF).
The Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries provides a collective voice on behalf of Wisconsin libraries of all types (academic, public, school, and special) to address the challenge of funding cuts, service and staffing cuts, aging collections, and deteriorating physical infrastructure taking place in the library community. This centralized state level multi-media publicity campaign benefits all libraries, but especially those with limited promotional resources. The Campaign builds on national-level efforts, such as those initiated by the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
to promote libraries, efforts that are in keeping with the purpose of Wisconsin library advocacy
Advocacy
Advocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an...
.
The WLA Foundation’s initial financial commitment to the Campaign included hiring a public relations professional to develop campaign themes and produce print and radio public service announcements. Current financial support from the WLA Foundation to the Campaign goes to:
- Update the public service print ads and place them in professional trade publications and newspapers throughout the state of Wisconsin
- Produce and distribute Campaign branded promotional merchandise to raise the awareness of library issues. This merchandise is delivered free of charge to Wisconsin libraries for distribution to the general public and key decision makers in the library funding process.
- Maintain the Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries website and promote online and promotional events related to raising the awareness of libraries as essential institutions in a democratic society.
- Promote the results of library advocacy such as the 2008 research study commissioned by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on the economic contribution of Wisconsin public libraries to the economy of Wisconsin. This study, conducted by NorthStar Economics, Inc. of Madison, WisconsinMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, determined, among other significant economic findings, that tax dollars invested in Wisconsin public libraries produced a return on investmentReturn on investmentReturn on investment is one way of considering profits in relation to capital invested. Return on assets , return on net assets , return on capital and return on invested capital are similar measures with variations on how “investment” is defined.Marketing not only influences net profits but also...
of $4.06 of library services for each $1.00 of taxpayer investment.
- Finance the cost of Campaign Action Committee (CAC) activities and programs. This ten member volunteer committee of statewide librarians and public relations professionals was commissioned by the WLA Foundation Board in early 2009 to design and implement cost-effective projects that would spotlight and promote the value of Wisconsin libraries. The most recent committee activity is Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese! A Day in Pictures. This online promotion uses library photos posted in a flickr group to remind people in a visual way of the variety and wealth of resources, services, programs, and activities they will find at their library.
The Wisconsin Library Association Foundation
Wisconsin Library Association Foundation
The Wisconsin Library Association Foundation is the charitable arm of the Wisconsin Library Association . The WLA Foundation, incorporated in 1996 as a 501 charitable public foundation, is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, United States....
has made a commitment to raise a minimum of $100,000 each year to fund the Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries. Significant funds are necessary to maintain the Campaign, which utilizes professional assistance in its planning, design and implementation. Donated funds are not used for lobbying
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
or political advocacy. Campaign fundraising
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
activities include recruitment of Supporting Partners, solicitation of contribution from individuals and organizations, and special events.