Local Advocacy

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While there are important issues’  affecting libraries on a federal level, what is of most importance to many library workers is what is affecting them at a local level. Local advocacy is just as vital as working on a national level. The ALA’s Legislative Action Center has a number of state issues listed on their site here: http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/‘ Your state library office or association also should be able to make you aware of what is going on locally.

District Days are coming up fast August 8th through September 5th. This is a great way to meet those national representatives in their office. But even if you miss District Days, your local officials should be available most’ times of the year.’ Local officials should be easier to contact than their national counterparts. Remember: advocacy starts in your neighborhood.

Show Your Love for Libraries!

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It’s not too late to round up some library supporters to send valentines to your Congressperson asking them to sign on as a co-sponsor to the SKILLs Act &/or to support the Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA)! Learn more about this campaign created by AASL/ALSC/YALSA’s Legislation Committees from YALSA’s wiki.

Be sure to send the valentines to your Congresspersons’ local office. For addresses go to ALA’s Take Action page, then type in your zip code.

Your efforts will help ensure that your community continues to have access to great library services and resources.
-Beth Yoke

I Love My Librarian Campaign

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The time is now to advocate for libraries! To celebrate this Valentine’s Day, have your teens, parents, children and library supporters flood federal elected officials’ district offices with Valentines that express love for your library and its staff and ask for support for important legislation.
The ALA Youth Divisions – AASL, ALSC and YALSA – are sending out a call to action to library workers to have teens, children, parents and library supporters in their community send “I Love My Teen Services Librarian” or “I Love My School Librarian” Valentine cards to their U.S. Senators and Representatives, and to ask their elected officials to co-sponsor the SKILLS Act &/or support LSTA funding for libraries. Currrently only about eight Congresspersons have signed on to co-sponsor the SKILLs Act. A major grassroots effort is needed in order for this critical piece of library legislation to get passed. Please consider participating in this campaign. For more information go to YALSA’s wiki.

Thanks for all that you do to ensure your community has access to wonderful library services and resources, and thanks to the youth divisions’ Legislation Committees for creating this campaign!
-Beth Yoke