A Big Win In Alaska for Statewide Broadband in Libraries

I am proud to share that, with your support, EveryLibrary was able to help the Alaska Library Association succeed in having $668,000 restored to the state budget for broadband subsidies to libraries after it was completely cut from the budget.

While the Governor restored Alaska Online With Libraries (OWL) at $668,000 and not the original $768,000 we are still thrilled with our result.

That might not sound like email-worthy work, though. Yes, it is a nice victory for libraries in Alaska, but why go out of my way to talk about it? Well, if you are in the Lower 48 and don't know about Alaska's budget troubles, their state budget is Three Billion Dollars short. Gas for my car is cheap now, but the shortfall in oil revenue means that massive cuts are being enacted all the way down to the basics. Activating the public for libraries in the face of this budget crisis was hard. Persuading the state legislators to fund anything discretionary is nearly impossible. But we were able to do it with our action platform for libraries and your support.

Sign the petition to ask your representatives to support Public Libraries in the United States and then share it across social media to amplify our voices.

The state budget was written with a 100% cut to funding for broadband through libraries. Our successful partnership with the Alaska Library Association followed a different model of advocacy. Our partnership included AKLA members doing superb work on the policy framework around broadband and telling compelling stories about the impact that library-broadband has around the state. What made it different this time around, and helped us to break through the barriers to caring about libraries and broadband, was that EveryLibrary brought marketing expertise, a suite of digital tools, and used your donations for media buys in order to reach the public across the state.

Our partnership with AKLA activated the public through social media advertising. AKLA's work as advocates and lobbyists was amplified far beyond their membership. The compelling story of how library broadband is a lifeline in remote rural communities, and how broadband at libraries support for workforce development across the state, reached new an audiences who cared and took action. Even in this deep recession, the legislature and the governor heard and restored the funding.

This was all made possible through EveryLibrary's donors. Donations of just $5 or $10 a month can help us work with other local library advocacy groups across the country. If we can reach Alaskans in the face of severe cuts and restore a key library service, we can do it in the other 49 states. That's why we'd like to ask you to help us do this kind of work for other communities too. Take the next step a become a monthly donor today. With your help, we can reach people and change hearts for libraries.

 You may donate by check or money order (US Funds only) made out to:

EveryLibrary
P.O. Box 406
45 E. Burlington St.
Riverside, IL 60546

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