Virginia Cononie, assistant librarian/coordinator of reference and research at the University of South Carolina Upstate Spartanburg Library, was named one of Library Journal’s 2022 Movers & Shakers for her library advocacy work. LJ recently reached out to Cononie to learn more about her Share Your Story campaign, a collection of success stories from libraries in South Carolina that were compiled into a book and sent to South Carolina lawmakers, highlighting the tremendous value libraries have in their communities.

LJ : What was the impetus behind the Share Your Story project?

Virginia Cononie: This is the third advocacy campaign I’ve done for the state. Prior to this, we did some postcard campaigns where I created the postcards, got them printed, sent them to libraries where they could get their patrons to fill them out. Then we targeted our federal legislators. I noticed that there were a lot of boundaries with that, physical and monetary, getting the postcards to people and getting them back. I always wanted them back so I could scan them and hold on to these stories. In 2019, I came up with the idea that maybe we could use a digital way for people to submit their stories. Then I could combine them all to be easier on everyone.

That was right before the pandemic began. How did that change your approach?

I felt that maybe we had to revamp this idea. We needed to put some faces and resources [and] a spin on how libraries are using their funding during COVID, and how they were getting critical resources to their constituents for our federal legislators.

Come March, we were all sent home. I felt really alone during that time. I almost gave up several times, to be honest. But then a story would come in and I’d read it. That got me going. I would send it out to every listserv that I was a part of. I got a little bit of positivity in my own life from the stories, and then I could send them to others. I think that really drove the momentum for the others to send in stories.

Image from Share Your Story campaign Courtesy of Spartanburg County Public Libraries, SC

Why was this personally important to you?

The reason I did this in the first place is I felt like as an academic librarian, I have a unique situation where I’m not working with a public library. I feel our public librarians or school librarians have a hesitancy of being in front of the legislators because of [possible backlash from] taxpayers. It’s kind of a scary situation these days. I felt like if I could get a general sense of all the things that the different types of libraries were doing in one spot and get it in front of the legislators, we could point to the story and say, “This is what’s been going on in your county, at your library.”

We’re doing this campaign again. I began a couple of months ago. The reason why is because our school libraries and public libraries are really under fire right now. I hate to use that terminology, but I’m not sure what else to say. They’re being harassed daily. Whether it’s a public or school library, it’s a tough place to be, dealing with lots of feelings. And I don’t have to deal with that. I’ve had one time where we had a controversial happening with censorship and banning. For me, whenever I’m up against things like this, I like to make a list and focus on the positive. That’s what I think Share Your Story does.

In February, SCLA [South Carolina Library Association] will have their Hill Day [when various groups meet with their Congressional representatives] for their federal funding and have this as an offering to say, “Look at what we’ve done, even though there’s all this controversy. Look at all these incredible things and how they’ve impacted students.” We have a hard deadline of January 16 for the stories to be submitted.

What would you recommend to other librarians who are interested in pursuing this type of project in their own state?

The first thing that is most important with a project like this is understanding the key players in your state and their impact on a successful campaign. It’s probably a flaw of mine, but I won't quit emailing until somebody says, “I got it.” Understand where your public library administrators are, the school librarians, your state library—make the connection. Probably with every state, if you go to your state library, you can see the different systems. And it might take a little bit of work, but email them and say, “Hey, this is free, would you please participate?” I also think elevating your emails is a good idea. Say, “This is an invitation for you to participate. You’re invited to share your story. Please show us how to show your federal legislator and the community they serve what you’ve been doing for their constituents.” It’s like turning that narrative and showing them that these federal legislators are supposed to be working for them. Whenever we had National Library Legislative Day, it was always nerve-wracking to sit in front of your legislator. You’re talking to a stranger, and that’s why having these stories is helpful.

South Carolina libraries are excellent, and they deserve every award that’s possible. I feel honored to have these stories submitted to the campaign. I never want anyone to think I’m the hero. The real heroes, the real award winners, are the ones that give these stories. Our South Carolina school librarians are an incredible bunch of people who care so much about the students they serve every single day. It’s evident from their dogged enthusiasm to the profession. That’s really what you want the readers to know, that their libraries are so incredible. Sing that song every chance you can.