Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA)

ALA welcomes White House call for increased E-rate funding for libraries and schools

WASHIINGTON, D.C. - American Library Association (ALA) President Maureen Sullivan released the following statement regarding President Obama’s announcement of the ConnectED initiative to connect America’s students to high-capacity broadband and high-speed wireless:

ALA calls for accountability and transparency in nation’s surveillance laws

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Library Association (ALA) is gravely concerned, but unfortunately not surprised, at this week’s revelations that the U.S. government obtained the phone records of all Verizon customers for the last seven years. Leaders of the association again call upon Congress to provide more accountability and transparency about how the government is obtaining and using vast amounts of information about innocent people.

First education bill in decades acknowledges effective school library programs

Washington, D.C.— The American Library Association would like to thank Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jack Reed (D-RI) for their leadership in including strong provisions for effective school library programs in the Strengthening America’s Schools Act that was introduced on Tuesday. The bill is the first to recognize the role school library programs play in student learning since the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was first enacted in 1965.

Interactive advocacy sessions to be focus of Advocacy Corner at ALA Annual Conference; will highlight library PAC’s, roles of trustees and Friends

CHICAGO – Interactive advocacy workshops, discussions and presentations focused on critical advocacy topics are the focus of The Advocacy Corner, to take place in the Membership Pavilion at the 2013 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago.

Topics range from political action committees, budget negotiations and using Library Snapshot Day data in your advocacy efforts, to updates from the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), the Washington Office Update, Office for Library Advocacy and @ your Library ® and the Campaign for America’s Libraries.

New American Libraries supplement examines future of ebook lending

Washington, D.C.—Leading library practitioners and experts discuss promises and “Faustian bargains” of ebooks in the new American Libraries digital supplement Digital Content: What’s Next?

'Get Out the Library Vote' free webinar to showcase techniques for successful ballot campaigns

CHICAGO — Join the ALA Office for Library Advocacy for a free webinar focused on planning and conducting successful library ballot measures on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, from 2 – 3 p.m. Central time.

ALA thanks Senator Reed for introducing Workforce Investments through Local Libraries Act

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced legislation to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which will integrate public libraries into state and local workforce investment boards. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) co-sponsored the bill.

Rep. Fortenberry receives award during National Library Legislative Day

Washington, D.C.—Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) today received the United for Libraries’ 2013 Public Service Award during the National Library Legislative Day in Washington, D.C. The Public Service Award is given annually by United for Libraries to a legislator who has been especially supportive of libraries.

Advocate for libraries on a national level by participating in Virtual Library Legislative Day on May 8

PHILADELPHIA – Virtual Library Legislative Day is part of the American Library Association’s (ALA) National Library Legislative Day on May 8, when hundreds of library advocates will descend on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staffs. Library advocates who cannot make it to Capitol Hill for the event can still be a part of the effort by calling and/or emailing their elected officials on May 8, or anytime the week of May 6-10.

Library advocates tell legislators to protect library funding

Hundreds Gather in D.C. for 39th Annual National Library Legislative Day

Washington, D.C.— More than 350 librarians and library supporters from across the country converged in Washington, D.C. from May 7–8, 2013, to meet with members of Congress to discuss key library issues during the American Library Association’s 39th annual National Library Legislative Day. The event focused on supporting federal funding for national libraries.