Legislative Update at MLA Conference

At the Maryland Library Association Conference last week, Legislative Panel Officers Mary Baykan, Mary Hastler and Natalie Edington presented a program entitled “Legislative Update: What’s New for Libraries in Maryland an d Federal Legislation.” The program included an overview of the state budget process, an update on state and federal budgets and legislation and a review of several advocacy tools.  The PowerPoint slides are available online for both the state and federal presentations.

Webinar video now available – Legislative Process and How You Can Make a Difference

A video is now available online for the February 27^th webinar entitled “The Legislative Process and You: How it Works and How to Make a Difference.” The slides are also available.

Free webinar on the Legislative Process and How You Can Make a Difference

The American Library Association’s Washington Office is offering a free webinar entitled “The Legislative Process and You: How it Works and How to Make a Difference” on Monday, February 27^th from 4:00-5:00pm. Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru, will explain how to be engaged throughout the legislative process. Participants will leave with a plan to implement new ideas.

For more information, including a link to register, please see the District Dispatch post.

 

Advocacy Preconferences at ALA Midwinter Conference

If you are attending the American Library Association Midwinter Conference in Dallas in January, check out the advocacy preconferences that are being offered. See the District Dispatch post  for details.

Webinar: Education, lobbying & advocacy – What’s allowed?

Education, lobbying and advocacy are often used interchangeably. However, there are differences in their definitions and what is and is not allowed. Find out what library supporters can and can’t do in this free webinar on Tuesday, December 6th at 4:00pm offered by the American Library Association’s Washington Office. For more information and to register, see the District Dispatch post.

 

Turning the Page 2.0 – A free public library advocacy program

The Public Library Association (PLA) with support from the Gates Foundation is offering another six-week session of their Turning the Page 2.0 advocacy training. Registration for the October-December session closes on October 18th. The session will be offered two more times in 2012. For details and registration, visit the Turning the Page 2.0 web site.

Webinar – 10 easy steps to effective library advocacy

The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office is offering a Webinar on Tuesday, August 30^th at 4pm entitled 10 Quick and Painless Steps to Effective Advocacy for Libraries.  For more information, including how to register, click on this registration link.

Be an informed advocate! Attend the Legislative Update at the MLA Conference

Interested in finding out what is going on with legislation and libraries?  Going to the Maryland Library Association (MLA) Annual Conference?  Then join the MLA Legislative Panel’s officers, Mary Baykan, Mary Hastler and Natalie Edington, for an update on state and federal legislation, as well as advocacy efforts, on Friday, May 6th from 9:15-10:30am.  A detailed description appears below.

Legislative Update: Get Educated on Library Legislation & Issues

Be an informed advocate!  The current environment brings libraries face-to-face with many budget and legislative challenges.  Learn how libraries fared in the Maryland legislative session, hear about the first Maryland library “Snapshot Day,” and get an update on federal legislation and issues affecting libraries.  Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of legislation and issues impacting all libraries and the advocacy needs of libraries.

Advocacy program to be offered at ALA Conference

If you are attending the American Library Association (ALA) Conference in June, you may be interested in the advocacy program being offered by the ALA Washington Office.  Details, including how to RSVP, are included below.

Title: Federal Advocacy – Take it to the next level!

Description: The current political climate in Washington, D.C. offers challenges – and, believe it or not, opportunities – for librarians.  Faced with proposed budget cuts for school libraries, literacy programs and library technology services to ongoing copyright and privacy issues, it’s time to speak up and make a difference!  This session will provide you with the tools and resources you need to build your advocacy skills.  You’ll walk away with a step-by-step plan for developing and delivering your message, building relationships with legislators (including how to run a successful site visit) and, most important, engaging others in the community.  It’s time to speak up and speak out – you’re the only ones who can! 

Date: Sunday, June 26

Room: TBD

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (lunch will not be provided, but feel free to bring your own)

Space is limited – please RSVP to Kristin Murphy at kmurphy@alawash.org.

Webinar on Federal Advocacy for School Libraries

The American Library Association Washington Office will be offering a free webinar on Wednesday, March 30^th from 5-6pm focusing on federal-level advocacy for school libraries.  Learn how school librarians can take advantage of the current challenges and tell their story so that legislators will listen and agree.

For more information on the webinar and to register, go to the webinar announcement.