#nlld17

Have you ever asked, “How do I become an advocate for libraries?” Have you ever wondered what National Library Legislative Day (NLLD) is, and how it impacts libraries? Have you ever thought, “What I can do to advocate for libraries from home?”

It’s National Library Legislative Day!

If you love libraries, please join us in reminding Congress just how they are to the communities they support.

Today, call your Senators and ask them to sign the Dear Appropriator letters supporting the Library Services and Technology Act and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program. These programs amount to more than $210 million in federal funding for libraries and play a key role in enabling libraries to do important in communities across the country.

Given the President’s proposal to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and virtually all other library funding sources, the support of both your Senators is more important than ever.

Check out our roundup of National Library Legislative Day, or check out other coverage:

Librarians Take Capitol Hill – Publishers Weekly

Advocacy in Critical Times – American Libraries

The Interconnectivity of Library Advocacy – YALSA

NLLD17: The Message, Ask, and Takeaways – Knowledge Quest

State librarian meeting with Idaho congressional delegation, with Idaho’s fed $ for libraries at risk. –  ID Spokesman Review

Jeanes librarian headed to National Library Legislative Day. – PA Colonial

Washington State Librarian urges Congress to support library funding. – WA Reporter

The Internet and Libraries: Improving Infrastructure for Economic Opportunity. – Morning Consult

Montana Goes to Washington. – American Libraries

Federal Budget Compromise Keeps—and Boosts—IMLS Funding. – Library Journal

Did you miss out on Hina Shamsi’s keynote during National Library Legislative Day 2017? Never fear - it was recorded! You can find it and the issue briefing delivered by ALA Washington Office staff on the ALA YouTube channel.

Top 5 myths about National Library Legislative Day

Originally published by American Libraries in Cognotes during ALA Midwinter 2017.

Only librarians can attend. This event is open to the public and anyone who loves libraries – students, business owners, stay-at-home moms, just plain library enthusiasts – has a story to tell. Those firsthand stories are critical to conveying to members of Congress and their staffs just how important libraries are to their constituents.

Only policy and legislative experts should attend. While some attendees have been following library legislative issues for many years, many are first time advocates. We provide a full day of training to ensure that participants have the most up-to-date information and can go into their meetings on Capitol Hill fully prepared to answer questions and convey key talking points.

I’m not allowed to lobby. The IRS has developed guidelines so that nonprofit groups and private citizens can advocate legally. Even if you are a government appointee, there are ways you can advocate on issues important to libraries and help educate elected officials about the important work libraries do. Still concerned? The National Council of Nonprofits has resources to help you.

My voice won’t make a difference. From confirming the new Librarian of Congress in 2016 to limiting mass surveillance under the USA FREEDOM Act in 2015 to securing billions in federal support for library programs over many decades, your voice combined with other dedicated library advocates’ has time and again defended the rights of the people we serve and moved our elected officials to take positive action. This can’t be done without you!

NLLD 2017 keynote announced

We are happy to announce the keynote speaker for National Library Legislative Day 2017! Hina Shamsi, director of the ACLU National Security Project, will be joining us in Washington, D.C. on May 1, 2017. The National Security Project is dedicated to ensuring that U.S. national security policies and practices are consistent with the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights.

According to the ACLU website, Shamsi has:

litigated cases upholding the freedoms of speech and association, and challenging targeted killing, torture, unlawful detention, and post-9/11 discrimination against racial and religious minorities.

Her work includes a focus on the intersection of national security and counter-terrorism policies with international human rights and humanitarian law. She previously worked as a staff attorney in the ACLU National Security Project and was the acting director of Human Rights First’s Law & Security Program. She also served as senior advisor to the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions.

You can find her on Twitter @HinaShamsi and on the ACLU blog.