Are public libraries using research data to advocate?

Public library advocates have typically focused on political and economic issues such as the right to provide free access to information and fiscal cutbacks, when making their case for greater support. In fact, the American Libraries Association argues that the most important issue facing public libraries today is the issue of sustained funding, especially in the economically dark times in the current US economy (Dowling [1]). However, little is known about how libraries are responding to these calls to advocacy, especially what techniques or messages they are employing to combat financial setbacks. The present study asks staff of public libraries about the type of evidence they use to advocate for the public library cause, and what data sources, if any, they employ to advocate. Preliminary results show that libraries are aware that advocacy is important, but it is unclear if their messages and strategies focus on impacting decision-making.