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Mar 10, 2015
This year, National Library Legislative Day will be held in Washington, DC on May 4th and 5th. The ALA Washington Office has posted the following message detailing the reasons we should participate in this event: I don't think I need to overemphasize for you the important roles that libraries play in our communities. The epicenter of progress and knowledge, libraries have evolved to meet the educational and technological needs of their patrons. These institutions of learning and creation need to be protected and improved at all costs. And in the wake of the sweeping changes to both the House and the Senate in the 2014 Congressional elections, it is more important than ever that we speak up on behalf of libraries and the communities they serve. Your firsthand library experience - from behind the reference desk or as a patron - is an invaluable part of helping legislators to understand the impact that libraries have in the day to day lives of their constituents. Without you, they may not realize what happens to a community when library budgets get cut and staff are let go, let alone how legislation on net neutrality, copyright, or privacy can involve libraries too. We need to urge Members of Congress to think about how the policy and legislation they are working on could harm or help libraries. To do that, we need boots on the ground here in Washington, D.C. - we need library advocates. That’s why we’re inviting YOU to National Library Legislative Day 2015!
This two-day advocacy event brings hundreds of librarians, trustees, library supporters, and patrons to Washington, D.C. to meet with their Members of Congress to rally support for libraries issues and policies. This year, National Library Legislative Day will be held May 4-5, 2015. Participants will receive advocacy tips and training, along with important issues briefings prior to their meetings.
First-time participants are eligible for a unique scholarship opportunity. The White House Conference on Library and Information Services Taskforce (WHCLIST) and the ALA Washington Office are calling for nominations for the 2015 WHCLIST Award. Recipients of this award receive a stipend ($300 and two free nights at a D.C. hotel) to a non-librarian participant in National Library Legislative Day.
Registration information and hotel booking information are available on the ALA Washington Office website.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
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Feb 04, 2015
Since a 43% cut to state aid to libraries in 2010, the State of New Jersey has said to New Jersey Libraries: Here’s 41 Cents Per Person. Please sign this petition to show your support for an increase in Per Capita State Aid for New Jersey's Libraries. Share this petition with your friends, family members and neighbors who value libraries and understand the public library's importance to our communities. If you have already filled out the petition, thank you and keep sharing! |
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Jan 23, 2015
Heading to Chicago for ALA Midwinter at the end of the month? Check out these conference sessions hosted by The ALA Washington Office: Whither Washington?: The 2014 Election and What it Means for Libraries A panel of experts from the ranks of politics, academia and the press will explore the implications of the November mid-term Congressional elections for America, libraries and library advocacy at the 2015 American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. ALA invited U.S. Senator and Democratic Majority Whip Richard Durbin to keynote the conference session. The session, titled “Whither Washington?: The 2014 Election and What it Means for Libraries,” takes place from 8:30–10:00a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015, in the McCormick Convention Center, room W183A. With critical bills to reauthorize federal library funding, efforts to reform key privacy and surveillance statutes, and changes to copyright law all likely to be on legislators’ plates, libraries will engage heavily with the newly-elected 114th Congress. An Hour a Week: Library Advocacy is Easy!!! In her inaugural column for American Libraries, titled “Advocate. Today.,” American Library Association (ALA) President Courtney Young challenged librarians of all types, and friends of libraries, to commit to spending just an hour a week advocating for libraries. To take the mystery out of just what “advocacy” means, how to do it and how to have fun along the way, ALA’s Offices of Intellectual Freedom (OIF), Library Advocacy (OLA), Public Information and the Washington Office will partner with all ALA divisions to present “An Hour a Week: Library Advocacy is Easy!!!” during the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. The session, which will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015, from 10:30–11:30 a.m., will be led by the ever-popular “Advocacy Guru,” Stephanie Vance, who will walk “newbies” and “old pros” alike through just what advocacy means today–from engaging with the local PTAs and library boards to lobbying the White House. With the help of panelists from OIF and OLA, Vance will share easy advocacy strategies and lead a lightening tour of the many terrific ALA advocacy resources available to give “ALAdvocates” everything they need to answer Courtney’s call. All Eyes on IMLS: Funding Priorities and Reauthorization Thinking about new funding sources for your library? Join leaders from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) when they discuss federal library funding resources at the 2015 American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. The session, titled “All Eyes on IMLS: Funding Priorities and Reauthorization,” takes place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015, in the McCormick Convention Center, room W183A. Library 3D Printing—Unlocking the Opportunities, Understanding the Challenges Technological developments in 3D printing are empowering people to learn new skills, launch business ventures and solve complex health problems. As this cutting-edge technology becomes more common in libraries, what do librarians need to know? Join a panel of information professionals for the session “Library 3D Printing—Unlocking the Opportunities, Understanding the Challenges” which takes place during the 2015 American Library Association’s (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. The session will be held from 10:30–11:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2015, in the McCormick Convention Center room W470A. What is a Policy Revolution! Anyway? Library and policy leaders will discuss Policy Revolution!, an initiative to advance national policy for libraries and our communities, during the 2015 American Library Association’s (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. The session, titled “What is a Policy Revolution! anyway?,” takes place from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2015 in the McCormick Convention Center, room W196A. In a time of dramatic technological advances and increasing competition for federal resources, the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy launched the Policy Revolution!, a grant-funded effort that focuses on establishing proactive policy priorities, engaging decision makers and influencers and upgrading the organization’s policy capacity. Come to learn more about the initiative, discuss a preliminary policy agenda and how it all relates to the ALA’s overall strategy. ALA DCWG: Libraries and Ebooks—Where Do We Go from Here? How much do you know about the current library ebook lending environment? A leading panel of library and publishing experts will provide an update on the library ebook lending market and discuss the best ways for libraries to bring together authors and readers in the digital age at the 2015 American Library Association’s (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. The session “ALA DCWG: Libraries and Ebooks—Where Do We Go from Here?” takes place from 10:30–11:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2015, in the McCormick Convention Center in room W196B. During the session, leaders of ALA’s Digital Content Working Group (DCWG) and an expert panel provide insights on new opportunities available to libraries now that five of the world’s largest publishers provide libraries with access to their full ebook catalogs. The expert panel will explore new ebook lending issues, such as business models, pricing structures, privacy terms, and digital preservation. The working group will provide a summary of recent DCWG advocacy activities and explore new opportunities for collaboration between libraries and authors. Tell the IRS: Tax Forms in the Library Want to comment on the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) tax form delivery service? Discuss your experiences obtaining tax forms for your library at “Tell the IRS: Tax Forms in the Library,” a session that takes place during the 2015 American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. The session will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2015, in the McCormick Place, the Chicago Convention Center, room W187. Trish Evans, administrator of distribution for the IRS, will lead the discussion that will explore library participation in the agency’s Tax Forms Outlet Program (TFOP). The TFOP offers tax forms and products to the American public primarily through participating libraries and post offices. |
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Dec 05, 2014
Did you know there are more public libraries in the USA than McDonalds? The ALA Washington Office has put together two Factsheets that list important library legislative issues and key facts about 21st century libraries. For more library-related fun facts, click here.
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Nov 14, 2014
The following statement regarding ALA’s agreement with President Obama’s stance on net neutrality was posted on District Dispatch, the official blog of the ALA Washington Office, on November 11, 2014: “The ALA heartily agrees with the essential elements of network neutrality affirmed by President Obama: no blocking, no throttling, increased transparency, and no paid prioritization,” said ALA Incoming President Sari Feldman. “As the President noted, these elements are ‘built into the fabric of the internet since its creation.’ In fact, the initial protocols for the internet were developed by institutions of higher education, and universities were the first to deploy private high-speed data networks that formed the test-bed for what later became the public internet.” To read the entire blog post, click here. |
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Oct 01, 2014 Making the Election Connection - A Webinar ALA and Advocacy Guru Stephanie Vance will host a free webinar on Monday, October 6th from 2 PM to 2:30 PM EDT entitled Making the Election Connection. The webinar will address how all types of library supporters can legally engage during this upcoming election season and will describe impactful activities. Each participant will learn 10 quick and easy outreach tactics. For more information, visit: http://www.districtdispatch.org/2014/09/free-webinar-making-election-con... |
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Jul 07, 2014 TAKE ACTION FOR LIBRARIES! Please contact your United States Representative TODAY at 202-224-3121 and urge her/him to support the passage of H.R. 803, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Senate recently passed this bill with a bipartisan vote of 95-3. Your help is crucial to ensure that the House does the same thing. H.R. 803 would reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and has the following provisions supporting public libraries: Title I – Workforce Development Activities
Title II – Adult Education and Literacy
H.R. 803 could be a huge victory for libraries and your call could get this legislation to the President’s desk. Your participation can make all the difference. Please call today! |
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May 01, 2014 Interested in knowing about current library-related issues and legislation? Visit ALA’s Legislative Action Center! The Legislative Action Center highlights current action alerts in Congress and state legislatures. It also describes bills with library relevance that are currently being considered in Congress. This is a great resource for staying informed on issues that matter to libraries in New Jersey and beyond. |
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Apr 23, 2014
'I regret to bring more bad news on the federal library-related legislative front, this time concerning the House of Representatives Budget Committee’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2015. Committee Chair Paul Ryan (Republican – Wisconsin) proposes the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) as part of his plan for cutting $5 trillion in federal expenditures over the next decade. Other controversial measures proposed by Rep. Ryan and his committee include steep cuts to Medicare and to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (i.e., food stamps). As the Selah Jubilees gospel group sang on their 1946 record of the same title, “Lord, help the poor and needy in this world.” Regarding the IMLS, this proposed program elimination would affect 123,000 or more libraries in the United States. As many of you likely know, IMLS grants are often matched by state funding and thus provide critically needed support for library services. Considering the fact that public libraries and the services they offer are more needed than ever, the proposed elimination of IMLS grants is very unwelcome indeed. Considering the continued underfunding of public libraries and libraries in general, the proposed elimination of IMLS grants could hardly be more inopportune. Considering the fact that citizens must increasingly use electronic means to fulfill basic responsibilities of citizenship such as paying taxes and fees, communicating with government agencies (federal, state, and local), finding jobs and applying for jobs, the elimination of IMLS grants will seriously hamper public libraries as they attempt to assist members of the public function as responsible citizens in this evermore technological world. Government agencies along with many other societal institutions and businesses are increasingly unreachable by mail, phone, or in person. There are tens of millions of Americans without a computer at home and computer literacy is by no means universal. IMLS grants provided via the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) help public libraries meet the needs of these citizens. The prospect of possibly eliminating this support is worrisome.' Tim Dodge |
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Mar 12, 2014
The following message is from the ALA Washington Office:
Appropriations season is now underway in Washington DC. It's crucial that you call your U.S. Representative today and ask him or her to sign two separate "Dear Colleague" letters that support funding for libraries.
-One letter supports funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in FY15. LSTA is the primary source of funding for libraries in the federal budget.
-The other letter supports funding for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) Grant in FY15. This grant is crucial because at least half of it would go to low-income school libraries to help update their books and materials. For more information and talking points visit the Legislative Action Center (LAC). You can also find a list of last year’s signatories for both letters on the LAC.
Please be on the lookout in the next few days for a similar alert in the U.S. Senate.
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