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Patrick "PC" Sweeney
Deputy Director at EveryLibrary Institute, Political Director at EveryLibrary. Co-author “How to Win Elections and Influence Politicians for Library Funding” and “Before The Ballot: Building Support for Library Funding”
Professional Background
Patrick "PC" Sweeney is a distinguished leader in the library and information science sector, currently serving as the Political Director for EveryLibrary, the first and only Political Action Committee dedicated to advocating for libraries across the United States. His role at EveryLibrary is pivotal, where he spearheads digital organizing and campaign management, complements these initiatives with political consulting, and designs and leads impactful political training and workshops. Through his strategic fundraising initiatives, Sweeney has made significant strides in advancing local library funding efforts, showcasing his commitment to enhancing library services nationwide.
With a wealth of experience, Patrick has previously contributed to the Sunnyvale Public Library as the Administrative Librarian (Assistant Director), where he was instrumental in managing public services and overseeing various administrative responsibilities. His duties included preparing and managing the divisional budget, supervising program managers, and coordinating department-wide activities to optimize library operations and services. His leadership not only ensured the library's smooth functioning but also facilitated the growth of programs and services tailored to community needs.
Sweeney's earlier roles demonstrate his progression as a library leader, including serving as branch manager for both the Atherton and East Palo Alto Library Branches. In these roles, he played a key part in promoting organizational growth, enhancing public services, and fostering a communal atmosphere. He prioritized program development and community engagement, working closely with his staff to accomplish shared goals, promote professional development, and assess performance effectively.
Education and Achievements
Patrick's academic journey laid a solid foundation for his career in library science and political advocacy. He holds a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from San Jose State University, where he honed his expertise in information management and library administration. His undergraduate studies culminated in a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from California State University, Sacramento. This combination of disciplines has equipped him with a unique perspective on critical thinking, ethics, and public service—qualities essential for his role in advocacy and community leadership.
Throughout his career, Sweeney has been actively involved in numerous organizations that reflect his dedication to libraries and political engagement. He previously served as the Deputy Director at EveryLibrary Institute NFP and has also owned and managed Kraken Strategies Group, LLC, focusing on political strategy and advocacy. His teaching experience spans several prestigious institutions, including lecturing on politics and political advocacy at San Jose State University, and instructing at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. These experiences have not only enriched his expertise but also allowed him to impart knowledge to other aspiring professionals in the field.
Notable Contributions and Impact
Patrick's influence extends beyond his direct roles, as he has engaged with various organizations to further the mission of libraries. He was a political strategist and board member at EveryLibrary, shaping the narrative and strategies for raising awareness about library needs, funding challenges, and the essential role libraries play in communities. His practical experience is complemented by his extensive background in community service and engagement, positioning him as a sought-after consultant and advocate in the library advocacy space.
As part of his esteemed career, Patrick has also authored works published by the American Library Association, further contributing to the body of knowledge available to library professionals and advocates. His recent initiatives and campaigns highlight his ability to mobilize resources and raise awareness on critical issues affecting libraries, a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving and enhancing public libraries.
With a proven track record of fostering partnerships, supporting library funding initiatives, and leading successful campaigns, Patrick "PC" Sweeney continues to be a pivotal figure in the library advocacy landscape. His work at EveryLibrary not only underscores the importance of libraries in society but also amplifies the voices of those who champion access to information, resources, and community engagement.
Achievements
- Position: Political Director, EveryLibrary
- Significance: Maintained a strong focus on library advocacy and political action, leading successful funding initiatives for libraries across the United States.
- Experience: Administrative Librarian at Sunnyvale Public Library, managing public services and a diverse range of administrative functions leading to improved library operations.
- Leadership: Branch Manager at Atherton and East Palo Alto Libraries, developing relevant programs and services to address community needs.
- Teaching Roles: Instructor at San Jose State University and Harvard University Graduate School of Design, sharing insights on politics and advocacy with budding professionals.
- Published Works: Co-authored and contributed to the relevant literature advocating for libraries, increasing awareness and knowledge within the sector.
Conclusion
Patrick Sweeney's extensive background is a shining example of commitment and leadership in the fields of library science and political advocacy. His contributions not only reflect his professional journey but also underscore his passion for enhancing library services across the nation. Patrick is undoubtedly a pillar of the library community, inspiring many to take action in support of libraries.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
Clay offers several powerful features including:
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Clay is designed for anyone who values maintaining meaningful relationships. The app is popular among a wide range of industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. It’s even used by half the Fortune 500! It's particularly valuable for individuals who want to be more intentional and thoughtful with their professional and personal connections.
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Yes, Clay offers extensive integration capabilities. Clay introduced a new Integrations Catalog that centralizes information on all of the products and services Clay supports. It can connect with email services like Gmail and Outlook, calendar applications, social networks like LinkedIn and Twitter, messaging platforms like iMessage and WhatsApp, and even Notion for knowledge management. Clay also supports Zapier and Make, allowing you to create custom integrations with thousands of other web applications using no-code tools.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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