Policy Revolution! Initiative

Libraries are in a digital revolution, fueled by rapid advances in technology. This digital revolution brings compelling opportunities to build upon what libraries already do well: empower and engage communities and contribute to the missions of our national institutions. But it also brings challenges. The roles and expectations of libraries are changing rapidly, so their national policy needs also require critical review and realignment so that libraries may continue to provide effective public access to information for all.

This recognition led to the development of the Policy Revolution! initiative, which had three major goals: to develop a national policy agenda; to initiate and deepen national stakeholder interactions based on policy priorities; and to build library advocacy capacity. The effort was led by the American Library Association and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

National Public Policy Agenda Materials

• Foreword to National Policy Agenda for Libraries from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (.pdf)
• National Policy Agenda for Libraries (.pdf)
• National Policy Agenda for Libraries Executive Brief (.pdf)
• Draft Trends Report: Snapshots of a Turbulent World (.pdf)

Policy Resources

• Libraries and E-rate: Leveraging Broadband to Provide Opportunity Across the Nation (.pdf)
• Careers for America’s Youth in the Digital Age (.pdf)
• From Baby's First Words: Libraries Promote Early Learning (.pdf)
• Digital Empowerment and America's Libraries (.pdf)
• The Manufacturing Sector & The Knowledge Economy: Expanding Opportunity through Libraries (.pdf)
• One Small Business at a Time: Building Entrepreneurial Opportunity in America’s Communities (.pdf)
• Libraries Help and Honor Our Veterans: Employment, Education and Community Connection (.pdf)
• A Note for the Major Party Platform Committees and Presidential Campaigns (.pdf)
• Toward a More Printed Union: Library 3D Printing Democratizes Creation (.pdf)
• Progress in the Making: Librarians' Practical 3D Printing Questions Answered (.pdf)

News and Information About the Initiative

• Video series makes the case for libraries
• ALA, Rosen Publishing release new “Ready to Code” Video (December 2016)
• ALA Joins New Network Advocating for Technology Rights and Opportunity (December 2016)
• Partnering with Tech (December 2016)
• Dear RNC and DNC: Libraries Are Essential to Achieving National Priorities (July 2016)
• Report from the DNC (July 2016)
• RNC Forum Focuses on STEM Education (July 2016)
• ConnectHome Marks One-year Anniversary (July 2016)
• Putting Libraries Front and Center During the Presidential Election (June 2016)
• New ALA Report Highlights Libraries as Engines of Entrepreneurship (June 2016)
• ALA’s National Policy Convening (April 2016)
• ALA, Google launch “Libraries Ready to Code” (April 2016)
• ALA Submits Comments on Family Engagement and Early Learning (January 2016)
• Getting Down to Business on Policy Revolution (October 2015)
• ALA releases National Policy Agenda for Libraries (June 2015)
• A Policy Revolution! for Digital Content (June 2015)
• Talkin’ About a Revolution (February 2015)
• Policy Revolution! Initiative (The Exclamation Point is Important) (February 2015)
• ALA seeks feedback on a draft national policy agenda for libraries (January 2015)
• ALA Washington Office copyright event “too good to be true” (November 2014)
• ALA launches Policy Revolution! initiative for libraries (November 2013)