Can't make it to D.C.?
Organize a Virtual Library Legislative Day!
Even if you can't
make it to Washington, you can still advocate for libraries!
Virtual Library
Legislative Day communicates the needs of libraries to Congress and
increases the |  |
How to Organize a Virtual Library Legislative Day:
- Advertise the event (e-mail/print the NLLD flier and distribute it to library supporters in your community or region).
You may want to contact your state library association for help with locating and organizing your group - Organize your group by e-mailing the flyer to library supporters in your community and ask them to RSVP to you by e-mail if they want to participate.Send Kristin Murphy in the Washington Office an e-mail identifying your state and containing your group list, so that we can recognize your state and group as online participants. She can assist you in creating an agenda, finding information, and any other assistance you may need.
- Choose a convenient form of communication for your group (such as e-mail or conference call). We suggest that you touch base with your group at least once before NLLD to decide which library issues your group will cover. Be sure to include the issue briefs.
- Ask your group members to gather stories about their libraries that illustrate how library issue(s) have a real impact on the people who use their libraries. Your stories should describe the real-world impact of the following issues on the people who visit your library: funding, copyright, privacy, technology and the Internet, telecommunications. You may also be able to use the materials for your state that your NLLD delegation may have.
- During the last week of April the Washington office will begin posting briefs that explain key issues you will want to talk about with your Members of Congress. Be sure that everyone in your group has access to the briefs.
- Read through the key issue briefs. Choose a convenient form of communication for your group (such as email) and go over any questions group members might have about the issues. If a member of your group still has questions about any of the issues covered in the briefs please call the Washington Office: 1-800-941-8478. Our issue specialists will be happy to answer any questions they might have.
- On May 11th and 12th – call, fax, and e-mail your Members of Congress and encourage them to support libraries. Please use the ALA’s Legislative Action Center to e-mail or fax the information to your elected officials.
- Please e-mail Kristin Murphy to let us know about your communication with Congress. What was your message? How did your Member of Congress respond? If a Member of Congress would like to talk to an issue specialist at ALA, please let us know.
Remember – any day can be a Virtual Legislative Day! Advocacy for libraries can happen year round and it takes supporters like you to make sure that libraries have the voices they need.