Show Washington what Central New York libraries are made of.
To register for NLLD and find Liaison Hotel information CLICK HERE.
This two-day advocacy event brings hundreds of librarians, trustees, library supporters, and patrons to Washington, D.C. to meet with their Members of Congress to rally support for policies for all types of libraries. Participants will receive advocacy tips and training, along with important issue briefings prior to their meetings.
CLRC members! Here’s a great way to get to there… the Washington Office of ALA offers a scholarship opportunity to one first-time participant at National Library Legislative Day. Recipients of the White House Conference on Library and Information Services Taskforce (WHCLIST) Award receive a stipend of $300 and two free nights at a D.C. hotel. For more information about the WHCLIST Award, visit our webpage.
What should a delegate expect?
The ALA Washington Office (WO) arranges the event hotel and meeting spaces, sets the legislative agenda, develops the briefing documents documents (take a look at last year’s documents), invites the presenters for Monday’s briefing session and arranges a Congressional Reception. First time delegates may participate in an advocacy training sessions on the Sunday afternoon, usually at the WO offices.
How should delegates prepare?
Delegates need to familiarize themselves with the issues that will be on the legislative agenda and be prepared to share local stories about how these issues may affect the residents in their communities.
The Representatives’ web pages are similar in terms of their layout, with tabs that include “about” biographical and District information; “services” available from their local constituency offices; “newsroom” with links to articles, press releases, etc.; “legislation” including Bills sponsored, voting record and committee memberships; “issues” which provides background resources for issues that are of interest to the Representative.
All of this information is very valuable in better understand your Representative and help you to tell your library’s story in a manner that will be of most effective. For example, if your Representative is interested in health care issues, perhaps you can emphasize the wellness sessions your library offers or highlight the consumer health information available at your library.
The WO hosts a Briefing on Monday (legislator visit is on Tuesday) which is very useful in that it provides the delegates with up to the minute information about the status of legislation we will be addressing and talking points we can use.
Is there a list of the Representatives the delegation will be meeting and a schedule for the NYS delegates to review in advance?
Each delegate is responsible for setting up appointments with their Representative and coordinating with other delegates who share the same Representative.
Who leads the discussions at the meetings for the NYS delegation?
The NYS Coordinator provides an overview for the meeting with the Senators and then others are called on for their knowledge/experience.
The entire delegation usually visits our Senators. Meetings with Representatives are usually attended by those who live within the constituency; although occasionally one or more delegates may be free to join the meeting to provide support.
How can the delegates support the discussion effectively?
By providing local stories about successes and how particular legislation may affect their community.
Do you have NY bullet points ready?
The State Librarian, Bernard A. Margolis and the staff at the Division of Library Development (DLD) usually prepare the NYS briefing documents.
Who follows up with the legislators after the visits?
Each delegate is responsible for sending a follow-up letter to the legislators they met.
What is the expected protocol?
The meetings are fairly informal. If you have participated in meetings with our state legislators you will find the experience in Washington to be very similar.