The power to advocate for Wisconsin libraries

About this toolkit

This toolkit gives you the words and ideas you need to empower your staff, board, and community to advocate for Wisconsin libraries. It's a dynamic website, so check back for updates. On this page you'll find:

  • weekly actions
  • key talking points
  • social media and communication resource hub
  • examples from libraries and systems

Everything on this page is here for you to use. You have the power to advocate for our libraries.

This week's message

Talking Points

What you need to know about nonprofit advocacy

Resource hub: digital and printable media resources

This week’s message

Click on the information to see full text and image, and links to images.

It’s time to speak up

It’s time to speak up

It’s time to speak up for libraries! Libraries need everyone’s voices now more than ever. Federal funding is at risk, and we can’t stay quiet. Speak up, take action, and tell your legislators why libraries matter!    https://mywisconsinlibrary.org/...

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Take Action for Libraries Day

Take Action for Libraries Day

Today is Take Action for Libraries Day! A day to rally advocates to support libraries! Help us in our mission to save the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which is being cut by executive order. Speak up for libraries by sharing a short (30-60 second)...

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Talking points

“Libraries are crucial for education, digital resources, job support, and community connection. Help ensure their future by supporting continued funding.”

These documents have all the information you’ll need to clearly communicate the value of libraries, the impact of funding cuts, how library funding works, and more.

Click the buttons to get the latest version as a Word Document.

What you need to know: nonprofit advocacy

submitted by Northern Waters Library System

Your library probably receives public funding from your municipality, the state, and the federal government. Organizations receiving tax dollars may not engage in partisan political activity of any kind, so libraries need to be extremely careful when discussing specific ballot measures or candidates.  

Your Friends of the Library group is probably organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. These organizations are also prohibited from directly or indirectly engaging in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate, making public statements for or against a candidate, or making contributions to political campaign funds. Any organization that does so risks the revocation of their tax-exempt status. Friends groups should be aware of this when assisting with any ballot measures or elections related to the library.  

You can:

  • participate in activities like voter education, voter registration, and get-out-the-vote drives as long as they are conducted in a non-partisan manner; 
  • educate the public about library issues, and the impact they will have on them and their library;
  • encourage people to vote (but you cannot tell people how to vote);
  • encourage people to contact their elected officials (but not tell them what to say).

For more general information about nonprofit advocacy, the National Council of Nonprofits put together an updated and thorough page related to the the impact of executive orders on nonprofits.

In the news

Wisconsin libraries brace for steep drop in services under federal funding cuts

From the Wisconsin Examiner, April 21, 2025 Wisconsin libraries brace for steep drop in services under federal funding cuts

WI Attorney General sues administration to stop funding cuts to libraries

Wisconsin’s Attorney General Josh Kaul is joining a coalition of 20 other states in suing President Donald Trump’s administration.

Jill Underly re-elected as head of DPI

https://www.wpr.org/news/april-election-dpi-state-superintendent-jill-underly-reelected-kinser

IMLS employees put on administrative leave, blocked from access

On March 31, IMLS employees were notified that they were on administrative leave and denied access to databases, email. Article from Federal News Network.

Week of March 14: exec order

Announcement of first executive order and change in leadership.

Take Action for Libraries Day

Today is Take Action for Libraries Day! A day to rally advocates to support libraries! Help us in our mission to save the Institute of Museum and...

read more