Start with the Big Issues

It's difficult to reduce a successful conversation into a formula, but in order to build confidence and have a reference to start from, here's a list of components you can prepare or even rehearse for your first opportunity to connect with local government officials.

1. Introductions
2. Ask: what are the issues taking the most effort right now?
3. Listen
4. Ask for details, follow up questions
5. Listen
6. Acknowledge difficulty and complexity of issue
7. Offer to think about how the library might partner on this problem
8. Schedule follow up in person or via email
9. Follow through

You might even practice this conversation by choosing a topic that you know the library could participate in or support.