Category: John Chrastka

118: John Chrastka

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Steve chats with John Chrastka, Executive Director of EveryLibrary, about their One Million Americans for Libraries project and more.

chrastka SLJ podium

John Chrastka is founder and executive director of EveryLibrary, the first Super PAC for libraries. Since 2012, EveryLibrary has provided pro-bono support to 63 library communities with ballot measures and tax referendum, helping win well over $220 million in stable tax funding. He is a former Board president of the Berwyn (IL) Public Library and RAILS, the Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System. Prior to EveryLibrary, he was a partner in AssociaDirect, an association consultancy, and was Director for Membership Development at ALA.  He is a 2014 LJ Mover & Shaker. He tweets at @everylibrary.

SHOW NOTES:

EveryLibrary
One Million Americans for Libraries 
Save School Librarians
EveryLibrary [Medium]

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49: John Chrastka

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Guest host David Lankes chats with John Chrastka, Executive Director of EveryLibrary.

Read the transcript.

John Chrastka

John Chrastka is executive director of EveryLibrary, the first nationwide political action committee for libraries.  A long-time library trustee, supporter and advocate, Mr. Chrastka is a member and former president of the Board of Trustees for the Berwyn (IL) Public Library (2006 – present) and is a former president of the Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System (RAILS) multi-type library system. Prior to his work on EveryLibrary, he was a partner in AssociaDirect, a Chicago-based consultancy focused on supporting associations in membership recruitment, conference, and governance activities, and was Director for Membership Development at the American Library Association (ALA).  He is a current member of ALA, the Illinois Library Association (ILA), and the American Political Sciences Association (APSA). He was named a 2014 Mover & Shaker by Library Journal for his work with EveryLibrary.  He tweets at @mrchrastka.

Give to the Rapid Response Fund now!

The Rapid Response Fund is a project of EveryLibrary to build the financial resources that libraries need for crisis communications. Every month, we see stories about libraries faced with an unexpected funding crisis that comes from ‘outside’. City Councils, County Governments, State Legislatures control the purse strings for many of our libraries. But when grassroots support for the library needs to kick-in, the hardest part for libraries and advocates is to reach their constituents in a fast and actionable way. Our Rapid Response Fund will be there to deliver paid advertising and outreach support for local library advocacy “calls to action” when an unexpected crisis hits. Your donation will go to work buying targeted, smart, and effective public engagement through Facebook, Google AdWords, and local media sites. The Rapid Response Fund will put money to work to get the advocacy message in front of the right people and “bring them out” for the library. Donate today. The funds we collect here are earmarked and designated for this project. Visit http://everylibrary.org/rapid-response-fund/ for more about the project.

SHOW NOTES

John Chrastka’s previous appearance on Circulating Ideas

David Lankes’s previous appearances on Circulating Ideas: Episode 7 | Expect More | State of the MLS (part one) | State of the MLS (part two)

EveryLibrary

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Steve speaks with John Chrastka, executive director of EveryLibrary, the PAC for libraries.

Read the transcript.

EveryLibrary helps public, school, and college libraries win bonding, tax, and advisory referendum, ensuring stable funding and access to libraries for generations to come.

EveryLibrary will be the first and only national organization dedicated exclusively to political action at a local level to create, renew, and protect public funding for libraries of all types. We will provide tactical and operational support to local voter awareness campaigns, seed and sustaining monies to local ballot committees and PACs, as well as conducting direct voter advocacy in support of library taxing, bonding, and referendum.

EveryLibrary’s founder is John Chrastka, a long time library trustee, supporter, and advocate. Mr. Chrastka is a partner in AssociaDirect, a Chicago-based consultancy focused on supporting associations in membership recrutiment, conference, and goverance activities. He is also president of the Board of Trustees for the Berwyn (IL) Public Library (2006 – present) and is a former president of the Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System (RAILS) multi-type library system. Prior to his work at AssociaDirect, he was Director for Membership Development at the American Library Association (ALA), the world’s oldest and largest organization for librarians, library workers, supporters, and advocates. He is a current trustee member of ALA as well as in the Illinois Library Association (ILA), where he chairs the Fundraising Committee.