My biggest goal with Flywheel Strategies is building support networks for libraries and other community-focused organizations. By making these networks more visible, vocal, and active, it’s easier to call upon them when you need advocates.
While Flywheel’s work is just getting started, the need for advocates is upon us right now. Two hugely important initiatives are currently at risk.
First, there’s the BEAD (Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment) program, which provides funding to states to build out high-speed broadband infrastructure. If you’re in an urban area, you may not realize how many “broadband deserts” still exist in the country. This program, which was put into effect through the Broadband Infrastructure Act, is helping to close these connectivity gaps by requiring states to build local coalitions – effectively using the power of the purse to get stakeholders to collaborate to develop optimal solutions.
Recent statements from the Commerce Department indicate that this funding is under attack – either to scrap the funding altogether, or to push for a shift to satellite Internet. Not only is this a more expensive solution1(not to mention the clear questions of cronyism, given who owns said satellite Internet operation), but it ignores much of the work state coalitions have already done to define their needs and build a shared action plan.
The second big threat comes with the Executive Order issued on March 14th, calling for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. IMLS is a small-but-mighty federal office, but their impact affects any place in the country with a public library. In addition to providing direct funding for libraries and related organizations, they lead the charge for grant-making activities, helping to define the bleeding edges of library service. I’ve had close ties with IMLS – as a grantseeker, as an evaluator of incoming requests, and as a project advisor. And I’ve been lucky to call several IMLS workers friends. The work they do – on a budget that’s less than a rounding error to the federal budget – provides exponential impact throughout the profession and all the people they serve.
What can you do? Advocacy requires a groundswell of public outcry. Here are a few steps to get started:
How you can help:
- Learn more.
As a librarian, of course I’m going to ask you to read, right? There’s a lot of information out there about both BEAD and IMLS. I’d suggest starting with the resources at ALA on the library side, and my local Keystone Internet Coalition 2 Full disclosure: I am on the Advisory Committee for KIC for information on BEAD. - Contact your Electeds.
This is a space where it’s just as essential to speak to folks at the state level as it is the national one. With both IMLS and BEAD funding, it’s a case of state coalitions providing a focus for the federal funding stream – exactly the kind of division of labor you’d want. Advocacy group EveryLibrary has some tools to make your voice heard. - Use Your Library.
Library workers are stressed, y’all. Now more than ever, they need people walking through their doors, checking out materials, and telling the workers behind the desk that they matter. Any measure of support can go a long way3anything works, but money works particularly well. toward building morale. In some cases, you might even hear more about additional actions, and which specific electeds you should hit up for support.
The heart of the Flywheel theory of change is the idea that libraries are force multipliers for community good. They are able to focus a neighborhood’s intention to make big things happen, and do so in a way that reflects community needs at low cost. But they need vocal, active support to keep doing what they’re doing. Can you step up?
If you’re doing anything to speak up on BEAD or library funding, I want to hear about it! Please share your efforts (and their responses, if any) at hi@flywheelstrategies.io.
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