Home Legislative Update 8-1-2007

ACRL Legislative Update

NIH public access moves forward in House; full Senate to consider

Recent Developments: We've had a wonderful development recently in the ongoing effort to establish widespread public access to federally funded research. On July 19, the full House voted to pass the FY08 appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies. It included language that would require the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to make the results of funded research publicly accessible within 12 month of publication in peer-reviewed journals. (See H.R. 3043 section 217, pg 76-7.)

Current Status: This is a big step toward making the policy a success; however, we need your help now more than ever. We expect that the full Senate will vote on their respective appropriations measure after the August recess. It is very likely that an amendment will be made on the floor of the Senate to delete or weaken the language about the NIH public access policy. It's critical that you express your support for the current language to your Senators during August.

Action Needed:

1. Send a thank you note if your Representative voted yes to pass the House appropriations bill (check the roll call). Your legislators want to hear from you and need to know they did the right thing.
2. Contact both of your Senators during August. While a phone call, e-mail or fax would work, consider taking advantage of the fact that they are home for the August recess. Make a visit to the local district office or invite your Senators to visit your library. Urge them to maintain the language put forth by the Senate appropriations committee on the NIH public access policy. Find talking points and contact info in the ALA Legislative Action Center.
3. Ask library advocates in your state to talk to their Senators.
4. Talk about this issue with leaders on your campus -- your government relations office, library advisory committee, faculty senate -- to enlist individual and institutional support.

For additional background, listen to an interview with Heather Joseph of SPARC, read the last two issues of ACRL’s Legislative Update, and go to the Alliance for Taxpayer Access website. Also, read tips on making an effective visit, phone call or written communication in the ALA library advocacy now action kit - ways to communicate.

TIP: Telling your story to legislators

Over half of Congressional staffers believe the form-emails they receive from constituents are sent without the constituents' knowledge. Make sure your message is heard. Show your legislators the real effect that legislation will have on people in your community.

Stories add insight and humanity:

• Your members of Congress will remember your story - they are relying on YOU to show them what policy means for the real people in your community.
• Most library experiences don't seem dramatic on the surface, but the impact libraries have for real people is significant.
• Statistics can be impressive, but personal stories bring the library message to life.
• An effective story shows how the legislation would benefit your students, your faculty, your researchers, and your campus.

How Do You Tell Your Library's Story?

• Be simple and brief.
• Make sure your message is clear.
• The story should illustrate your point.
• Have a punchline or “ask.”

(SOURCE: ALA Washington Office Why share your library's story?)

ACRL Seeks Visiting Program Officer

Are you interested in federal legislation and policy affecting academic libraries? Are you an experienced, higher-level academic librarian who is familiar with ACRL?

ACRL seeks a Visiting Program Officer to expand its grassroots legislative advocates program. This part-time independent contractor position is an integral part of carrying out the recommendations of the ACRL task force on national advocacy. This position, approximately 10-14 hours per month, has a modest monthly stipend.

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