Organize a Virtual Library Legislative Day!

  • Download Flyer (Word) - Perfect for printing and posting during National Library Week!

Can’t come to Washington? You can still participate in Legislative Day by organizing library supporters in your state to phone, fax, and email Congress on May 1 st and 2nd. “Virtual Library Legislative Day” communicates the needs of libraries to Congress and increases the impact of the National Library Legislative Day in Washington D.C. Organizing a virtual legislative day is easy!

How to Organize a Virtual Legislative Day:

  • Advertise the event (print the flyer 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 emailing the flyer to library supporters in your community and ask them to rsvp to you by email if they want to participate.

Send the Washington Office an email identifying your state and containing your group list, so that we can recognize your state and group as online participants. Please email this information to Erin Haggerty ehaggerty@alawash.org .

  • Choose a convenient form of communication for your group (such as email or conference call). We suggest that you “meet” with your group at least once before legislative day to decide which library issues your group will cover. The Washinton Office key issues can be found on the ALA website.

You may find that some members of your group are very interested or are experts in certain areas and are a good resource to consult when constructing your message. Your meeting is also a good opportunity to go over any questions group members might have about the issues.

If a member of your group has questions about the issues please call the Washington office 800-941-8478. Our issue specialists will be happy to answer any questions they might have.

  • 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 5 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 issues covered in the briefs please call the Washington office 800-941-8478. Our issue specialists will be happy to answer any questions they might have.
  • On May 1st and May 2nd call, fax, email, or write to your Members of Congress and encourage them to support libraries.

  • To send a fax or email please use ALA’s Legislative Action Center (LAC). You can access the legislative action center by going to the Washington Office home page and clicking on the red “Take Action” button.

  • As a final step, please email Erin Haggerty to let us know about your communication with Congress (What was your message? And how did your member of Congress respond?) Should there be a Member of Congress who would like to talk with ALA staff please let us know.
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