Lobbying do's and don'ts
March 2003 - Thomas J. Hennen Jr.  

1.     Having library board endorsement on key issues and bills is crucial.

• Legislators know that trustees are not looking to feather their own nests, but rightly or wrongly, they must always suspect librarians of doing so.  When you say "I feel that…" their eyes glaze over some.  When you say the "Library Board has endorsed…" you get a more favorable hearing. 

 2.     Deal with one issue per contact - whether orally or in writing.

• Focus your attention on the key issue, and the legislator or aid can do so as well.  Jump around to various topics and you give the legislator the chance to pick the easiest one, not the most important one.

 3.     Giving money and time can help - it can also hurt.

• I supported a State Senator with both donations and door to door labor.  He had endorsed Inform Wisconsin and other library issues, and I expected more of the same. But  that Senator voted to allow a sales tax in my County to build a new baseball stadium.  He was the first state legislator in Wisconsin history to be re-called.  So it goes.  

4.     Oppose with grace and good humor -  

• Threats inspire revenge, principled opposition, on the other hand, is respected by legislators, it is there daily routine. We can agree to disagree.  If you cannot persuade a legislator on an issue, let him or her know that you hope to be able to work together on other issues.   

 5.     Know the difference between "I support you on this" and "I will vote as you want!"

• Legislators want to keep everyone happy.  They will often glad had you and seem to be agreeing when in fact they are merely being polite and agreeable.  It is often necessary to press them with the question "how will you vote?"

 6.     Say thank you!

• Years ago, I listened to a speech by the Secretary of State in Minnesota.  She surprised me by saying that in over a decade of public service innumerable individuals had asked for help but that she could count on the fingers of one hand those who had said thank you!  And she could remember all of their names!

 7.     Testifying on bills

• Keep it short

• Stick to the point

•  Don't threaten.

8.     Does your web site include legislative data? 

• It should be informational rather than partisan.

  9.     Use e-mail effectively and with care! 

• Always read it over before you send, never send in anger or in a hurry.  Make clear if you are speaking for yourself or the library.

  10. If there is controversy, warn, and try to provide arguments if possible. 

• Legislators want to know whether what you are proposing is universally agreeable to the library community or has some potential opponents.

 11. Staff aides count

• Don't be disappointed if you speak to staff rather than legislator.  Frequently they will listen more carefully and research things more completely

• They will communicate your case to their legislator. 

  12. Meetings with legislators and/or staff -

• Have an appointment, don’t just drop in. 

• Summarize.  If there are more than two of you, have a lead speaker, bring printed material that staff can read later. 

• Include short pitch for the library or system- i.e., new buildings, Internet access new record circulation, quick brochures, and so forth.  But keep the commercial interruption brief, and focus it on the services you are providing to the legislator's voting constituents.  

• Stay with the state library association program.  We must appear united and strong.  The time to oppose issues and legislation is when it is being developed by the state library and the state library association, not when it has gotten to the legislature.  If you oppose, follow the rule your mother taught you, and if you cannot say anything nice, say nothing at all.   

March 2003

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