PrintThe threat to libraries in this Congress continues. As you will recall, in mid-February, U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5) introduced an amendment to H.R. 1, also known as the Continuing Resolution, that would eliminate all funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) including funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the primary source of federal dollars to libraries. This amendment was defeated because of the overwhelming number of messages to Congress that ALA members and library advocates sent to their representatives.
Now more than ever, we need your participation on May 9-10, 2011, at ALA’s National Library Legislative Day (NNLD) in Washington, D.C., where you will have the opportunity to meet with your members of Congress and explain to them why cutting library funding would be short-sighted. Studies have shown that the number one way to influence members of Congress is by face-to-face meetings with their constituents. For additional information and to register for NLLD, please go to www.ala.org/nlld [4].
The Washington Office works for our members every day. The information, resources, and insight they offer current federal issues that impact libraries is unique to ALA. In addition to ALA’s lobbyists, who are happy to answer any question you may have, you can access valuable online resources that keep you informed and help you get active with Congress.
District Dispatch: http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/ [5]
District Dispatch is the official blog of the ALA Washington Office. You can view all vital information from the Washington Office including press releases, news on library-related legislation, and other updates from OGR and OITP. Sign-up is quick and easy, offering e-mail and RSS feed notices.
ALA Washington Office website: http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/wo/index.cfm [6]
Home to the Office of Government Relations (OGR) and the Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP), the Washington Office website is a robust source of information. Research federal legislation in the OGR section or technology policy research in the OITP section.
Legislative Action Center: www.capwiz.com/ala [7]
The Legislative Action Center (LAC) is ALA’s pipeline to Capitol Hill. It features updates on all the important library-related legislation making its way through Congress. More importantly, it allows you to send an email or fax directly to your Members of Congress! Be sure to type in a personalized story or description about how the legislation you’re writing about impacts your library.
Copyright Advisory Network: www.librarycopyright.net [8]
The Copyright Advisory Network is sponsored by the American Library Association’s Office of Information Technology Policy and is a way for librarians to learn about copyright and to get help when they have copyright troubles. The purpose of this site is to encourage librarians to discuss copyright concerns and seek feedback and advice from fellow librarians and copyright specialists. Discussion is encouraged!
Webinars: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/advocacyuniversity/onlinecourses/index.cfm [9]
The ALA Washington Office offers regular webinars on a variety of advocacy-related topics. Previous online courses have included coalition building, what to expect from Congress in the near future, and broadband stimulus application assistance. After each webinar, the content is archived and placed on this Web page.
ALA Connect: http://connect.ala.org/ [10]
ALA Connect is the first interactive, comprehensive online community specifically for ALA members. Within this site, members can collaborate with others on best practices, keep up to date on the latest issues coming out of both Congress and the ALA, and so much more. Join the Washington Office community to stay connected to D.C.
