Learn how to create and tell the library’s story, deliver effective presentations, develop a compelling case for support, enhance your project management skills and build and sustain partnerships through this self-paced, interactive and entertaining advocacy training.

Turning the Page online is composed of dynamic slides and interactive exercises, culminating in the completion of a 10-part Advocacy Work Plan. It typically takes four-five hours to complete, but can be stopped and resumed as needed. From library directors to trustees—Turning the Page online is appropriate for anyone interested in making a difference for your library.

Turning the Page was developed by the Public Library Association with funding from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  Ohio libraries participating in The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Opportunity Online Hardware Grants attended this training in 2009.

For more information, visit http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/ala/pla-offers-free-online-library-advocacy-training

and

http://www.pla.org/ala/mgrps/divs/pla/plaadvocacy/turningthepage/index.cfm

For one year only, Library Advocacy Day will replace National Library Legislative Day (NLLD).  On June 29, 2010, library advocates from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. will meet at Upper Senate Park on the U.S. Capitol grounds.   The event, which will begin at 11 a.m., will feature guest speakers, photo ops, and a chance to cheer on libraries!  After the Rally, participants will meet with their elected officials and their staffs.

This is a great opportunity to show our congressional representatives how important libraries are to Ohio and their particular Congressional District.  To register for the event please click on the register now button on the ALA Library Advocacy Day page at http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/libraryadvocacyday/index.cfm

Bill Morris, Governmental Affairs Coordinator for the State Library, will be working with each Congressional Office to schedule appointments on behalf of those attending the Rally and will be providing key talking points and supporting materials to attendees.  Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MTFBG8D before May 14, 2010 if you are planning on attending the Rally and visiting your congressional office that afternoon.  If you’re uncertain which congressional district you live in enter your ZIP + 4 here to find out: http://www.house.gov.

• Americans receiving job-seeking help and career assistance at public libraries
• Libraries as a resource for small businesses
• The prevalence and scope of library activity in the United States
• Libraries as providers of free services to the community such as Wi-Fi access, technology training and meeting rooms
• Comparisons of library activities to various retail and entertainment businesses.

Learn more (download PDF) …

It’s appropriations time, and there are two main issues we need to action on.  The deadline is March 12, so please act fast!  We only have 48 hours to make a difference.

LSTA

Congress is currently busy drafting up the federal budget for fiscal year 2011.  It has never been more important than now that Congress fully funds the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the only annual source for federal funding to public libraries.   As Congress writes next year’s budget they need to understand that dollars from the state and local levels are at an all time low and libraries can not continue to do their important work with out this funding.

There is a letter circulating around the House of Representatives urging the Appropriations Committee to include $300 million in funding through LSTA in the FY2011 budget.  Please contact your representative’s office and tell them about work your library does in the community.  It is always a good idea to stress what programs and resources your library provide to help build the local economy, help kids with their homework, and so much more.  After you have explained how libraries are an incredibly valuable investment, please ask your representative to sign onto the “Dear Colleague” letter supporting LSTA.

School Libraries
In his FY2011 budget, President Obama consolidated Improving Literacy Through School Libraries with five other literacy programs.  This would mean that school libraries will have to directly compete with other programs to receive federal dollars under the President’s plan.  However, Congress is busy drafting up their own budget for FY2011 right now, and there is no word yet if they will go along with President Obama’s recommendation of consolidation.  Congress needs to hear from their constituents NOW about the important role that school libraries play in today’s schools.

Right now there is a letter circulating around the House of Representatives urging the Appropriations Committee to specifically appropriate $100 million for Improving Literacy Through School Libraries.  This amount means that this program will be available to every state, rather than the current competitive grant program.  Please contact your representative’s office explaining to them how important having a school library can be in a child’s education.  Please ask them to sign on to the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries “Dear Colleague.”

Once your representative or their staff confirms that they would like to sign on to the funding “Dear Colleagues,” please ask them to contact the staffers below depending on their party affiliation:

Democrat

Ask them to contact Joseph Mais in Rep. Grijalva’s office and ask them to sign onto the Dear Colleague.  His email address isjoseph.mais@mail.house.gov and his phone number is (202) 225-2435.
Republican

Ask them to contact Rachel Fenton in Rep. Vernon Ehlers’ office and sign onto the Dear Colleague.  Her e-mail address isRachel.Fenton@mail.house.gov and her phone number is (202) 225-3831.

It is of the utmost importance that you contact your Representative today and urge them to sign on to these letters!  We need to keep the pressure on our elected officials until the deadline for signatures on these critical letters expires.  Grijalva and Ehlers plan to send the letter on Friday, March 12, so time is of the essence.

You can find your legislator’s contact information at http://capwiz.com/ala/home/.

Kristin Murphy
Government Relations Specialist
American Library Association – Washington Office
1615 New Hampshire Ave. NW, First Floor
Washington, D.C., 20009-2520
Phone Number: 202.628.8410
kmurphy@alawash.org

Questions about the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act?  Go to www.ala.org/knowyourstimulus

Additionally, you may still participate in Library Advocacy Day even if you do not attend the ALA Annual Conference.

For more information, go to http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/libraryadvocacyday/index.cfm

If you are interested in being a part of the Ohio delegation please contact Bill Morris, Legislative Day State Coordinator, at wmorris@library.ohio.gov.  Please look for additional information and messages about participation in the next month or so.