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.

 

Webinar Video now available – 10 easy steps to effective library advocacy

The video of this August 30^th webinar entitled 10 Quick and Painless Steps to Effective Advocacy for Libraries is now available.  Learn about 10 easy actions you can take, including writing personalized letters, building coalition, and using social media.

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.

Legislative updates now available on Twitter from ALA Washington Office

The ALA Washington Office has set up a new Twitter profile to keep people updated on federal legislation of interest to libraries, including when a bill is introduced or voted on.  If you already have a Twitter account, just follow ala_wo_leginfo.  For more information, including how to set up a Twitter account, see the District Dispatch posting.

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.

Webinar on federal funding and budget process

The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office will offer a free webinar on the federal budget process, federal funds for libraries and how best to advocate for these funds.  The webinar will be held on Wednesday, March 16^th from 2-3pm.  For additional information and a link to register, see the District Dispatch posting.

Webinar video available online – New Ideas for Connecting with the 112th Congress Legislators

If you missed the February 23^rd webinar entitled “New Ideas for Connecting with the 112^th Congress Legislators:  New Messages, Traditional Tactics,” the video is now available online.  The webinar discussed messaging trends and how to apply them successfully with this Congress.  For a link to the video, see the District Dispatch posting.

Webinar – New Ideas for Connecting with the 112th Congress

On Wednesday, February 23^rd at 2pm (please note this corrected time), the American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office will be offering a webinar entitled “New Ideas for Connecting with 112th Congress Legislators: New Messages, Traditional Tactics.”  This webinar will discuss tips on effective messaging, an overview of the federal budget process, and an update federal policy and funding with an impact on libraries.  (Unfortunately, this is the same day as Maryland Library Legislative Day, but a video of the webinar will likely be available later.)  Details, including a link to register, are available in the District Dispatch posting.

Open Internet, Net Neutrality rules at risk

There is movement in the House to strip the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of its authority over the Internet and repeal the net neutrality rules that protect the Open Internet, possibly using the Congressional Review Act.  Two House Committees will be holding hearings on net neutrality this week:  Energy and Commerce (“Communications and Technology Subcommittee to Examine Network Neutrality and Internet Regulation” and Judiciary (“Ensuring Competition on the Internet: Net Neutrality and Antitrust”).

The American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office is currently working with its allies, the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and Educause, to submit a letter to the House Energy & Commerce subcommittee members expressing concerns.  In the future, there will be a need for grassroots advocacy.  Updates will be posted, as more details become available.

Here are some sources of additional background information:

• Public Knowledge blog
• Politico news story
• Legislative Panel blog – This old posting provides a link to an April 2010 article that discussed the Federal court’s ruling that the FCC has no authority over net neutrality.