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National Library Legislative Day
May 7-8, 2018Liaison Hotel, Washington D.C. 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 policies for all types of libraries. Participants will receive advocacy tips and training, along with important issue briefings prior to their meetings. Registration is now closed, but you can still participate virtually! The Liaison Hotel is fully booked, click here to find other hotels in the area. One year ago, the White House proposed eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and slashed millions of dollars in federal funding for libraries. Twelve months and tireless advocacy efforts later, ALA advocates have helped libraries:
Congress also appropriated an unexpected $700 million for Title IV education programs, which opens doors to new funding for school libraries. (For a more detailed look at federal library programs, view our FY2018 library appropriations snapshot.) Take Your Advocacy Skills to the Next LevelWhat is it? When is it? Who can attend? How do I sign up? What if I can't make it to D.C.? To learn more about the event, check out our FAQ page or reach out to Lisa Lindle at llindle@alawash.org if you have any questions! The Pre-Fly In Checklist: Archive Now AvailableThe "Pre-Fly In Checklist" webinar, hosted last week by the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF), is now available in the CMF archive. This video will be available to all National Library Legislative Day 2018 participants until May 7, 2018. This presentation walks participants through a step-by-step preparation for meeting with Congress and their staff, and includes:
Click here to access the webinar. Join the New York Delegation!Photo Credit: Adam Mason What should a delegate expect? How should delegates prepare? The Representatives’ web pages are similar in terms of their layout, with tabs that include “about” biographical and District information; “services” available from their local constituency offices; “newsroom” with links to articles, press releases, etc.; “legislation” including Bills sponsored, voting record and committee memberships; “issues” which provides background resources for issues that are of interest to the Representative. All of this information is very valuable in better understand your Representative and help you to tell your library’s story in a manner that will be of most effective. For example, if your Representative is interested in health care issues, perhaps you can emphasize the wellness sessions your library offers or highlight the consumer health information available at your library. The WO hosts a Briefing on Monday (legislator visit is on Tuesday) which is very useful in that it provides the delegates with up to the minute information about the status of legislation we will be addressing and talking points we can use. Is there a list of the Representatives the delegation will be meeting and a schedule for the NYS delegates to review in advance? Who leads the discussions at the meetings for the NYS delegation? The entire delegation usually visits our Senators. Meetings with Representatives are usually attended by those who live within the constituency; although occasionally one or more delegates may be free to join the meeting to provide support. How can the delegates support the discussion effectively? Do you have NY bullet points ready? Who follows up with the legislators after the visits? What is the expected protocol?
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