What is National Library Legislative Day?
National Library Legislative Day (NLLD) is a two-day advocacy event in Washington D.C., hosted by the American Library Association, which provides attendees education about federal legislative priorities for libraries, advocacy training, and an opportunity to join state delegations for meetings with elected leaders and congressional staff on Capitol Hill to raise awareness about how and why libraries are vital to communities across America.
Who can attend National Library Legislative Day?
NLLD is open to the general public. Anyone who is passionate about libraries is welcome to attend. It is critical that members of Congress and their staff hear firsthand how important libraries are to the communities they serve.
I have never gone to a meeting with an elected official. Can I still come?
Some NLLD attendees have been following library legislative issues for many years, but many are first-time advocates. We provide a full day of training to ensure participants have the most up-to-date information and have an opportunity to connect with other advocates in their state. Our goal is to fully prepare all attendees for their meetings on Capitol Hill.
How much does NLLD cost?
The registration fee for NLLD 2020 is $175 and includes access to all sessions, training materials, personalized login information to the event app, leave behinds, three meal functions, and a reception. ALA is pleased to offer these enhanced services, which will ensure the highest quality experience to every NLLD attendee.
How do I register?
Registration will open soon. In the meantime, be sure to notify your state coordinators about your interest. And please sign up to be an ALA Advocate to receive action alerts and updates on policy issues related to the library field.
Why the change in training day venue?
To accommodate the growing number of NLLD attendees, the new NLLD venue at the Georgetown University Conference Center will allow for breakout spaces for state delegation meetings, a more affordable room rate, shorter lines for restrooms, and many other improvements. Exclusive use of this venue for ALA will ensure the facilitation of the best experience possible for attendees.
What are transportation options from the training day venue to Capitol Hill?
Details regarding transportation options are forthcoming.
Where should I stay in Washington, D.C.?
ALA provides a limited amount of discounted room rates for attendees to stay at the Georgetown University Conference Center. Reservations are on first-come, first-served basis. NLLD attendees will be prompted with hotel registration information after they have successfully completed the NLLD registration. The room rate is $219 per room, per night. A valid NLLD confirmation number is required to reserve a room within the ALA room block. Reservations are first-come, first-served.
Do I have to go to the meetings on Capitol Hill alone?
Most states send 5-20 people to NLLD and state delegations typically attend meetings together. If no other representatives from your state are able to attend, an ALA staff member or another experienced library advocate can attend the meeting with you.
How do I connect with the rest of my state delegation?
Please contact your state coordinator for more information. If you have difficulty connecting with your state coordinator, please contact NLLD@alawash.org for assistance.
When will I receive the talking points?
Talking points will be shared with all state coordinators and will be posted onto the NLLD webpage closer to the event.
If I can’t attend NLLD, can I participate online?
Absolutely! Help us to spread the word on social using the hashtag #NLLD2020 and sign up to participate in Library Legislative Day from home. You will receive an email reminding you to participate, along with a link to the live stream and talking points to contact Congress.
Does any of this really make a difference?
100% yes. Research by the Congressional Management Foundation shows that 10-20 emails or calls from constituents can be enough to change the minds of elected officials. If a call or email has that much power, imagine how effective an in-person meeting can be!
I am not allowed to lobby. What can I do?
The IRS has developed guidelines that ensure nonprofit groups and private citizens can advocate legally. Even if you are a government appointee, there are ways you can educate elected officials about the important work libraries do. Still concerned? The National Council of Nonprofits has resources to help.
How can I support National Library Legislative Day and ensure it continues?
If you would like to make a donation in support of NLLD, please make a gift to the Pubilc Policy and Advocacy Office. Visit ALA’s donations page, select "Offices" and select "PPA." For corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact ALA Associate Executive Director for Public Policy and Advocacy Kathi Kromer.
What is the difference between ALA's National Library Legislative Day and ALA's Congressional Fly-In?
Where NLLD is a traditional Hill Day and grassroots advocate training, ALA's congressional fly-in is a small, strategic event that is common among advocacy organizations in Washington, D.C. ALA’s Congressional Fly-in is held early in the calendar year, prior to funding (appropriations) deliberations among key decision-makers in Congress and is focused on increasing support for federal funding for libraries. Unlike NLLD where we have larger delegations from every state, fly-in attendees meet with a select few legislators who serve on key committees of interest. NLLD occurs in the first half of the year, but it is not linked to the start of the federal budget cycle nor are meetings limited to legislators on key committees. The goal of NLLD is to have many advocates of all kinds come together as a unified voice to champion the interests of libraries across America and attendance is open to the public. The fly-in is structured for experienced advocates in targeted congressional districts and thus is invitation-only. All materials provided at the fly-in and NLLD will be available online following the event.
Additional questions that were not answered here?
Please contact NLLD@alawash.org.
