ALA Policy Corps Application

Intro

ALA Policy Corps, American Library Association

DEADLINE UPDATE: The Policy Corps application deadline has been extended to Dec. 15th, 2021. Please reach out to ALA staff if you have any questions about the application process.

ALA is expanding its Policy Corps! Join us in building and amplifying our ability to advocate on key policy issues on behalf of the library community.

Participants will focus on issues for which deep and sustained knowledge is necessary to advance ALA policy goals among policymakers. Training and opportunities to participate in targeted national advocacy will be provided to participants. Learn more about the ALA Policy Corps, and see our release announcing the application period opening. Questions should be directed to Larra Clark (lclark@ala.org) or Jazzy Celindro (jcelindro@ala.org).

Interested in joining this effort? Submit your application online by December 15th. Note: selected finalists will subsequently be asked to submit a two-minute recorded video presentation about a sample policy issue.

Contact Information

ALA membership number

First name

Last name

Email address

Daytime phone

Alternate phone (optional)

Number of the federal Congressional District where you live

Number of the federal Congressional District your library serves

To apply for the ALA Policy Corps, provide the following information:

Employer or Affiliated Library (if Trustee, Friend or Foundation member) Information

Name

Type of organization

Region

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

Other

Street address

Street address 2

City

State

Zipcode

Professional Details

Current position/title

List your top 5 most important work responsibilities.

How many years of experience do you have in/with libraries?

List up to 5 professional association engagement activities in order of significance, most important first.

e.g., committee work, division or roundtable positions, leadership training, professional affiliations, awards, scholarships, etc.

Personal Statements

Describe one previous experience advocating for a library issue at the local, state, national or international level and how you would evaluate its success. (limit 200 words)

Which of the following national policy issues are of greatest interest to you? Check all that apply.

Broadband equity/Erate/Net neutrality

Federal funding for libraries (e.g., LSTA, ESSA, NLM)

Privacy/cybersecurity

Public access to government information

Other (please list in field below)

Other policy issues:

List any policy issues of interest to you that weren't included in the list above.

What was the last library issue for which you contacted your state or federal elected official to advocate and what method(s) did you use to advocate?

Describe one policy change at the national or state level you would like to effect as a result of your participation in the Corps. (limit 200 words)

Certifications

I understand and agree to a minimum 5-year commitment to serve as part of the ALA Policy Corps, which will include participation in at least two face-to-face trainings and ongoing monthly engagements on policy matters. Members will also be asked to periodically speak publicly and write about relevant library policy issues at the national and state level.

I agree to a multi-year (5 year) commitment.

I cannot commit to a multi-year (5 year) involvement.

I have the approval of my employer (or affiliated library) to participate in the ALA Policy Corps.

I have the support of my employer.

I do not have the support of my employer.