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Ad Lib: Advocacy for LibrariesFebruary 5, 2009 CPSIA Pushed Back a YearThere’s been…well, not progress, exactly, but motion on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. From ALA:
So if you’re concerned about your library’s children’s material being affected by this, they’ve bought you more time to contact CPSC and Congress, but you do still need to contact them. posted by Alan at 4:39 pm | Comments (1) January 23, 2009 Are Libraries Going to Get a PG-13 Rating?Under 12? No going into the library for you! At least, that seems to be the fear:
ALA is fighting this, of course, arguing that the cost of testing is prohibitive, and would result in either countless books being pulled from the shelves, or else kids under 12 not being allowed to enter the library. There’s news, of a sort, on this issue that came yesterday from ALA’s Washington Office:
You can read the full action item here, which includes contact info for the CPSC’s acting commissioner, as well as specific talking points. posted by Alan at 10:17 am | Comments (4) November 5, 2008 Referenda ResultsNot the best of days for libraries… ILA has sent out their latest ILA Update (not online yet, but when it is it’ll be at http://www.ila.org/about/press/2008/update18.html, so keep an eye out) with a recap of the various referenda that libraries put on the ballots this election day, and the results are disappointing to say the least. As ILA analytically puts it in the Update, “0 passed, 10 failed for a 0 percent success rate.” Let’s take a look at what was shot down for NSLS libraries:
The text of all ten failing referenda are available on the eventually-online ILA Update. In hard economic times, it’s not surprising that people voted down sending additional money to governing agencies, but it’s still a bit of a let-down. posted by Alan at 9:17 am | Comments (0) July 15, 2008 DLS Legislative Candidate BreakfastYesterday, July 14th, I attended the DuPage Library System (DLS) Legislative Candidate Breakfast, a version of the recently-held NSLS candidate luncheons. Unlike the NSLS luncheons where our members met with one candidate, DLS opened this event to candidates running in their area, as well as system members.
Though all candidates were invited, only four attended: Jason (Representative for Bill Foster—US.S 14th Congressional District) Mary Schneider (Democrat, running in Illinois 50th House District) Kay Hatcher (Republican, running in Illinois 96th House District)
Since four of our libraries are in the 14th and one in the 50th, I decided to attend.
Another reason I attended was to evaluate how effective this “town meeting” type format would be for future NSLS candidate meetings.
After greeting the attendees, DLS Director Shirley May Burns spent a few minutes educating the candidates on system libraries, from funding sources to services. Shirley May also spoke briefly on the difficulties regional library systems are experiencing from the “flat funding” situation.
Next there was an opportunity for the 25+ DLS members in attendance to talk about their library issues and concerns, as well as their interactions with systems.
Over and over the candidates heard about the importance of delivery and the continuing education opportunities provided by systems.
On the local level, addressing the tax cap situation and protecting the per capita/construction grants were at the top of the list.
I have to say, I liked this format. It created a comfortable atmosphere for conversation and gave librarians plenty of opportunity to brief potential legislators. However, I left the meeting really not sure how the candidates felt about libraries, except that they use them, school libraries should have more books and certified librarians (which I liked to hear), and librarians are wonderful. Regardless, the candidates certainly got an earful!
posted by Sharon at 10:21 am | Comments (0) June 18, 2008 Lunch with Christine K. Prochno, Republican candidate for the 66th DistrictToday, several NSLS staff and board members, including Executive Director Sarah Long and NSLS Board President Skip Mosshamer, had lunch with Christine Prochno, the Republican candidate for the State Representative seat in the 66th District. We were joined by several of our public library directors, as well as an academic and special librarian. (Currently, Representative Carolyn Krause holds this position.) Chris grew up in Elk Grove Village and has been a life-long library user. She proudly boasts of owning a wooden card catalog and remembers the original Elk Grove Village Public Library residing in a house. Chris came to the lunch table today with many years of experience as a parent, educator, Village Planning and Zoning Board member, as well as Elk Grove Village Trustee (1997 – Present). Being a big fan of libraries, Chris likes the idea that libraries strive to serve everyone, from individuals to local groups. NSLS Director Sarah Long took this opportunity to talk about NSLS and its members. Chris was unaware that we had such a diverse library population, including four types of libraries. Sarah also described our services and how NSLS collaborates with member libraries. When asked for her thoughts on public policy and funding, Chris replied that since District 66 is comprised of home-rule communities, she strongly believes in local control, leaving policy making to the individual communities and libraries. On funding, she believes that our legislators need to sit down and evaluate the entire state budget–find out where the money is being spent and “trim the fat.” She would like to generate more revenue by creating more incentives for businesses, enticing them to come to Illinois. Our member libraries present told Chris about the current struggles facing all types of libraries today, including limited funding (higher costs to provide materials and services to ever-increasing numbers of library patrons), lack of support for staffing school libraries with qualified candidates, problems serving unserved areas, and finding the time and developing the strategies to market library services to the general public. Chris heard all concerns and indicated that she is open to help libraries any way she can. In return, our members offered their expertise and resources to her on library issues. Chris is endorsed by: It was a great lunch and enjoyable conversation.
posted by Sharon at 4:44 pm | Comments (0) May 22, 2008 Advocates Must Be One Unified Voice for LibrariesLast week library advocates of all types gathered in Washington D.C. for National Library Legislative Day on Wednesday, May13. It was a great opportunity to network with colleagues from across the nation and also to discuss the latest issues with our legislators. People commit a lot of time and money to attend this event each year. They do this because they care deeply about current issues and want their voices to be heard. Library advocates gather together and organize so that they may be united as to a purpose. When advocates visit legislators, we are going as one group with a clear understanding of what issues we will discuss with the legislators. Visiting legislators is always a challenge. Their time is precious, and there are many people waiting to speak with them. When planning advocacy visits, we need to stay focused and know who will speak on each individual issue. Our message(s) needs to include thanking legislators for their support of specific bills, a brief explanation of current library concerns and finally a plea for support of new bills that will support our mission and goals. National Library Legislative Day is a team effort. When an individual disrupts the common purpose of the group, he takes a positive situation and turns it into a negative for everyone – including the legislator. A common purpose is lost. If any library advocate has specific concerns over current legislation, it is best for the advocate to make a separate appointment with the legislator(s) to discuss these concerns in more detail. As time is very short in Washington, advocates will be most effective by making this appointment back at the local district office. Here the legislator will have the time necessary to discuss your concerns at greater length. Showing respect to your fellow colleagues will make us all better advocates. posted by Dale at 10:30 am | Comments (1) May 21, 2008 Election News for Kids–Kids.govI just came across a review of this U.S. government website for kids. Lots of fun stuff. What I’m really impressed with is the section entitled, “Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids.” With all the election news right now, librarians, teachers, and parents might want to check this out. Information covering the election process is divieded by grade level. There is also a Parent/Teacher section. Next time you have a chance, check out Kids.gov posted by Sharon at 10:06 am | Comments (0) May 20, 2008 National Library Day MusingsLast week, I attended National Library Day activities in D.C. Briefings on issues of interest to libraries prepared us for our visits to our federal legislators. While they all iterated that not much substantial relating to libraries would be dealt with before the election, we had a wonderful opportunity to talk about the SKILLS ACT, FISA, orphan works, LSTA funding, E-Rate, net neutrality. I have attended this event 6 times in the past few years and for the first time, I felt that I was being heard loudly and clearly. Maybe I know the issues better than I first did, but I sense that the biggest difference is that I’ve established a relationship with these legislators and their staffs that makes what I say more meaningful. Even if you can’t go to DC, you can visit these folks in their local offices and establish a relationship that will lead to better communication and consideration from them. Please consider contacting both your state and federal legislators to tell your library’s story and let them know what’s important in the library world. posted by Judy R. at 1:20 pm | Comments (0) Federal LSTA Funding RequestsFederal funding was discussed with all legislators we spoke with in Washington this year on National Library Legislative Day, May 14 2008. The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding request for FY2009 is $214,432 million. This translates to a total of $6,377,081 in funds to be distributed to Illinois libraries in the form of LSTA grants. According to Washington insider predictions a decision on funding may not happen until February, but it is important to continue to fight for these funds! Write or visit your US House Representatives and Senators in their home offices. The most compelling messages are those that discuss exactly how the LSTA funds have been used by your library, and how you would like to use increased funds. I am told letters go in to separate stacks: one for people that contact legislators once on an issue, and a separate special stack for those who keep on persisting for their cause. We want to fill the second stack with requests to increase federal funding for libraries! posted by Jill at 1:06 pm | Comments (0) May 8, 2008 National Library DayIt’s that time of year again—the annual National Library Day when those of us with strong feelings about the role that government can play in the world of libraries trek to D.C. This year we need to once again thank legislators for voting to approve the appropriation for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Just think of all the good that happens in libraries through the LSTA funding that the Illinois State Library puts out in the form of grants. This year we’re also going to be talking with our legislators on issues such as appropriations and budget, school libraries and the SKILLS Act, telecommunications, E-Government, and E-rate and Universal Service Issues As the Advocacy Consultant here at LCLS, I like to give members a variety of ways to advocate on behalf of their individual library and the library community in general. If you can’t come to D.C., you can visit legislators’ local offices when Congress isn’t in session Library Advocacy can also be done from your computer. Using CapWiz you can email legislators. And right now there’s another opportunity to let your federal legislators know how you feel on library issues that are part of federal legislation they vote on by participating in Virtual National Library Day—see the ILA page under advocacy for information on participating. posted by Judy R. at 9:27 am | Comments (0) Next Page »
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