JANUARY PREVIEW COGNOTES 13
Mark Your Calendar for Washington Office Training in Seattle
Washington, D.C. is in transition. ALA has begun the process of encouraging freshman legislators in the 116th Congress to take our issues on as their own. Likewise, we are making sure our longstanding champions continue to put libraries at the top of their priority lists.
In other areas, our advocacy efforts are already in progress; for example, making sure libraries are prepared for and participating in plans for the 2020 Census. The upcoming Census will be the first in its 230 year-history with an online response option. In anticipation of this historical shift – and because 99 percent of the hard-to-count census tracts have a public library within five miles – ALA is working overtime to investigate the what this will mean for public libraries across the country.
Whether you are interested in examining where new elected officials and returning decisionmakers across the country land on library issues, or you already have plans to serve on your local Complete Count Committee, these two sessions provide key information and resources to make sure libraries have a seat at the table.
Saturday January 26
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Libraries & Public Policy After the Midterm Elections & the Midpoint of the Administration
Librarians have been politically energized and engaged throughout the first two years of the Trump Administration. As the Administration hits the midpoint, and the new 116th Congress begins, library issues will be on the table – including funding, copyright, privacy, education, and telecommunications. So, what can the library community expect over the next two years? How can you prepare for the inevitable battles – and opportunities – on the horizon? Hear from ALA’s policy experts about what Congress and the Administration mean for your bottom line.
Alan Inouye, senior director, Public Policy and Government Relations, ALA
Kathi Kromer, associate executive director, Advocacy and Public Policy, ALA
Kevin Maher, director, Government Relations, ALA
Follow the conversation online: #FundLibraries
Advocacy is Year-Round Endeavor
As part of the 2018-19 Strong Libraries = Strong Communities presidential initiative, Loida Garcia-Febo and ALA’s Office of Public Policy and Advocacy will introduce new advocacy tools designed to help libraries of every kind tell their story to community influencers and decision makers at all levels.
The new tools include plug-and-play resources and self-serve downloads like the Year-Round Advocacy Calendar (pictured) that can be used by school, academic, public, and special libraries. For more information, attend the Saturday, January 26, 10:30 -- 11:30 a.m. session, “Libraries & Public Policy After the Midterm Elections & the Midpoint of the Administration” or visit ala.org/advocacy/year-round.
2019 ALA YEAR–ROUND ADVOCACY CHECKLIST
JANUARY
Welcome new and returning members of Congress. Offer your branch location as a place they can hold meetings and town halls. Also, make sure you are registered as an ALA advocate on ala.org/takeaction.
FEBRUARY
Work with your local newspaper or neighborhood blog to run a story about how your library is funded and how federal dollars support your branch, directly or indirectly.
MARCH
Call your senators and reps to remind them of the libraries in their district and to ask them to sign on to the “Dear Appropriator” letters to support federal funding for libraries.
APRIL
Celebrate National Library Week all month long! Tweet at your members of Congress with pictures highlighting the unique services your library provides to your community.
MAY
Follow up on your advocacy work by inviting local congressional staff to tour your library or join an upcoming event. Share a picture of the visit on social with the hashtag #FundLibraries.
JUNE
Not only will Annual be in Washington, ALA will be celebrating the National Week of Making in DC, too! Tweet a picture of your makerspace with the tag #NationofMakers to @ALAlibrary.
JULY
Request in-district meetings with your senators and representative as well as their staff when they are home in August. Better yet, invite them to your library for a tour!
AUGUST
Congress is in recess! Check your senators and representatives' websites to find out when their town halls will be held. Attend and ask them about their position on funding libraries.
SEPTEMBER
Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month by signing patrons up to become ALA advocates on ala.org/takeaction when they get their new card.
OCTOBER
Next year is an election year! Keep an eye on likely candidates in your local areas so you start educating them about what makes the local library vital their community.
NOVEMBER
Express your appreciation to your elected officals for their support for libraries - public acknowledgment and praise will help to keep your growing relationships strong!
DECEMBER
Watch your inbox closely and respond to the last calls-to-action of the year. Remember to share these end-of-year alerts with your professional networks.