I’ve seen a few posts for this Thing where the writer says that because they work in an academic library, there is no need for them to advocate for their library. I shall respectfully disagree.

Having worked in education on and off for a number of years (in both HE and FE), I’ve seen first-hand the effects of the constant budget cuts. This is going to get even worse with our current government, who appear not to value education at all. Budget cuts will affect library services. I work for a university that aims to rank in the world’s top fifty, yet the library has been “asked to make savings”.

So yes, academic library staff need to advocate for their library. This may not take the same form as advocacy for public libraries, as the two are very different. Academic libraries perhaps need to raise their profile internally more than externally. When senior university staff work on strategic plans, we need to make sure that libraries are on the agenda. Part of this is down to strong library management. Our new Head Librarian recently came to our team meeting and I was impressed by the strength of her ideas for the library and the amount of work she’s done with senior university staff. She’s already got the proposal for building a new undergraduate library on the Senate agenda and she’s only been in post for 5 months!

But all library staff have a part to play in profile-raising. We still get third year students through the door who have never used the library. Why is that? Why don’t they see the library as a necessity? What aren’t we providing for them? If they aren’t using the library, then they aren’t telling other students about using the library and all its great resources. They also aren’t likely to give the library good scores in the National Student Survey or the like, which is noticed by senior management. For a university who strives for academic excellence, surely all students need to be using the library or at least its resources?

Currently my advocacy for the library is on a micro level. I talk to family and friends about what librarians do and what libraries can offer them. Many are of course surprised that I don’t spend all day shelving or stamping books. Earlier this year I took a university staff course on presentations – at the end of the course each participant had to give a five minute presentation on a subject of their choice. Mine was about my job in the library, and everyone commented that they had learned something new from the presentation, as well as busting stereotypes! My library has an access scheme for 16-18 year olds so I also try to show them my enthusiasm when I register these students with their library card.

On a more personal level, I would like to work in public libraries one day. Currently I try and support my local libraries by doing something really basic – using them. I try and go once a week, I try and take out lots of material (not hard!) and I also try and use the counter service as well as the self-issue machines. I use their online catalogue quite a lot and generously (although unintentionally) rack up fines from time to time. This is of course not enough. Particularly as I want to work in one, I should be doing more for public libraries.

My challenge is to find the time – I’m starting my master’s degree part-time and will likely be working three jobs as well as organising LIS events. I also need time for other interests – one of the things I love about working in libraries is meeting people with a huge range of interests and therefore knowledge, so I can’t let my own slip! So for now I’ll continue my low-key advocacy, and once I’m settled in other roles will see what space I have for other forms.