The Surprise Library Advisory Commission spent a large portion of its Aug. 14 meeting discussing advocacy, community partnerships and how commissioners can promote library services in their neighborhoods.

Staff and commissioners identified partner organizations and outreach opportunities that could expand programming and raise the library’s profile. Suggestions included veteran service organizations, colleges and universities, Master Gardeners, Special Olympics, Westbank seniors, water-resource educators and local special-interest clubs for topics such as astronomy, woodworking and financial literacy. A staff member said they were already talking to some partners and encouraged commissioners to recommend groups.

Commissioners and staff sketched several practical outreach ideas: a monthly speaker series tied to the 250th reading program, pop-up informational booths ("Latte with librarians" and similar events), coordinated attendance at council district meetings and working groups to develop focused advocacy plans. Staff described existing countywide library coordination meetings and suggested commissioners could request joint meetings with other local library commissions.

On the role of commissioners in advocacy, staff clarified the distinction between speaking as a resident and speaking on behalf of the commission. A staff member advised that commissioners may attend public meetings and speak during public comment as private citizens and may identify themselves as a commissioner, but they should not present positions as the commission’s official stance unless the commission has agreed on those positions in advance "and come back and ask the commission for it," the facilitator said.

Budget and funding were discussed as part of advocacy strategy: staff said the department is entering budget season and encouraged commissioners to consider concrete asks (for example, what a $20,000 or $50,000 increase would accomplish). Staff also noted donations have become a meaningful, if variable, funding stream for programs and prizes.

Next steps included proposed working groups for advocacy and outreach, follow-up data requests about district-level patronage, and staff support to help commissioners prepare talking points if they pursue appearances before council or other bodies. No formal policy action was taken at the meeting.