Support the ROAR Campaign
Sarah Ambrus • February 14, 2025
Tell us about the ROAR4Libraries Campaign. How did it start? What are the campaign's goals?
The R.O.A.R. - Read, Organize, Advocate, Rally Campaign was developed by the CommCats, a team of six Texas State University students (Saliyah M. Parker, Andrea Estela Pabon, Marrah Fuentes, D’Aaron Castle, and Jasmine Lozoya) competing in the national 2025 PRSSA Bateman Competition. The campaign was formed to build support and awareness of the political action committee, EveryLibrary, and the need for library advocacy.
The goals of our campaign are:
- To inform and inspire new audiences for EveryLibrary by creating informational content and sharing it with local communities.
- To diversify EveryLibrary’s audience of engaged library activists by identifying library champions who have signed our pledge of commitment to protecting and supporting libraries, ensuring their presence for future generations.
- To demonstrate new channels and pathways for audience engagement by implementing social media strategy and best practices to develop a brand across multiple platforms focused on sharing information and connecting with the community.
What are some of the threats local libraries are facing?
Through our research, we have found that libraries serve as a central hub for their communities, providing essential resources and programs for everyone. However, according to EveryLibrary, they are faced with navigating through censorship attacks, budget and funding cuts, removal of resources, and legislation that could impede their ability to continue serving the community and remove books from their shelves. Our libraries need our support — they need library champions willing to protect them and ensure they remain a part of the community for generations to come.
What are some ways people can show support for their local libraries?
Everyone can be a library champion and support their local library! We have uncovered just how easy it can be to get involved and take action to support libraries and are happy to share.
Here are a few simple ways:
- [R]ead - stay informed about the need for library advocacy and the issues your local library may be facing by seeking out information from a trusted source, like EveryLibrary.
- [O]rganize - connect with other library champions in your community by joining or forming groups to discuss and organize your support efforts.
- [A]dvocate - stand up for your local library by taking an action (i.e. sign a pledge of your support, write a local or state legislator, donate to library advocacy initiatives, etc.) and remember, all actions are helpful.
- [R]ally - gather with your community, and others, to use your voices to R.O.A.R. for libraries by spreading the word and being ready to defend your local library in its time of need.
How can people get involved in the campaign?
We welcome everyone to join us as we R.O.A.R. 4 Libraries!
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Sign Our Pledge to R.O.A.R. 4 Libraries - English, Español
- Visit Our Website - roar4libraries.com
- Follow Our Channels - linktr.ee/roar4libraries
- Join Us at an Event:
- 2/22 - R.O.A.R. at the San Antonio African American Book Festival
- 2/28 - Happy HouROAR at the Round Rock Public Library
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Local author S.E. Wheeler opens up about the inner workings of her literary work, and shares the sources of inspiration underpinning her latest adult fantasy series. Wheeler will be doing a book signing at our mobile bookstore for the 2025 Austin Texas Book Trail on April 12th from 12pm-2pm at Wildfire Park in Leander.
The literary world has long been a battlefield for women seeking recognition. Before the 19th century, publishing under a woman’s name was not just discouraged —it was nearly impossible. Women were barred from universities, denied access to formal education, and often silenced in intellectual spaces. This struggle is both vividly and humorously portrayed in modern takes on literary history, like the series Dickinson . While the show takes creative liberties in its depiction of the titular poet, it captures the frustration and obstacles women faced in making their voices heard. In one scene, Emily Dickinson—portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld—reveals that one of her poems was published anonymously in a local paper. Her father erupts in anger, saying her actions could tarnish the reputation he had carefully built for the family Though fictionalized, this moment reflects a reality that persisted even into the 1990s. For centuries, women had to fight for a place in the literary world, often resorting to male pseudonyms or publishing anonymously just to be taken seriously. Many refused to let these barriers define them, using whatever means necessary to ensure their voices were heard. Let’s take a closer look at the women who defied the odds and shaped modern literature as we know it today.
Book clubs are all the rage recently! As they continue to grow in popularity, groups are bound to hit a lull as time goes on. Feel like your book club’s routine is getting old and want to try something new? Check out these tips for changing it up! 1. Find local authors and attend author events Lioness Books is a proud supporter of all things local and independent! We encourage readers to find books written by authors in their communities and include them in their book clubs. Furthermore, attending author events is a great way to open up your book club to new environments and socialize with other readers. 2. Have a (local and independent) free-for-all In this instance, everyone shops at a local independent bookstore and selects their own book! Rather than always reading the same novel, this shakes things up by allowing everyone to explore a different book and discuss their insights and opinions. This also makes room for diverse literature and possible recommendations. 3. Random book selections Have everyone pick a book and draw a title out of a hat, or use a random book generator to change up the way your book club selects your next read! If your club is running out of ideas and feeling adventurous, this is worth a try! 4. Perform table readings Take turns reading aloud pages of your book at meetings! This is a great way to enhance participation and highlight particular parts of your book. You may even use accents or change your pitch and tone of voice to represent different characters—take creative, fun, and dramatic liberties! 5. Book-themed food and drinks Get in tune with all things food and drink related to your book’s setting and characters and bring them to life at your next meeting! For example, if your book is set in New York, consider bringing some bagels or pizza to share as you discuss. This is a really fun way to connect on another level with your literature and friends! 6. Change up your environment Continually meeting in the same location to discuss your books can get old! Try venturing out to a local coffee shop, park, or bookstore. Alternatively, create a rotating schedule of each of your book club member’s houses for your meetings! You never know—you might discover a hidden gem or your next favorite spot!
Celebrate Women’s History Month with Lioness Books by exploring banned and challenged books by female authors. Learn more about the women who dared to challenge norms, spark conversations, and change the literary landscape.
Brooke shares her journey from nonprofit work to leading Book Drive for Kids Austin, providing free books to underserved children and fostering a love for reading. Learn more about her story in this blog post.
Celebrate Black History Month with powerful reads. Explore eight essential books that honor Black voices, history, and culture—spanning fiction, memoirs, and groundbreaking narratives.
Challenge long-standing notions of what love is supposed to be like this February with my February literary recommendations. I feature stories on various expressions of love and its dynamic intersection with the social and the political.
Julio Lucero shares the stories, individuals, experiences that have shaped his inspiring literary work, "Abuelita, I am Your Grandson". A proud Austinite, Julio inspires others to support the local community whenever possible.
