NEWS For Immediate Release April 23, 2013

Contact: Jillian Kalonick

PHILADELPHIA— Virtual Library Legislative Day is part of the American Library Association’s (ALA) National Library Legislative Day on May 8, when hundreds of library advocates will descend on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staffs. Library advocates who cannot make it to Capitol Hill for the event can still be a part of the effort by calling and/or emailing their elected officials on May 8, or any time the week of May 6-10.

United for Libraries is partnering with the ALA Washington Office, ALA’s Chapter Relations Office and the ALA Office for Library Advocacy to lead Virtual Library Legislative Day, an opportunity for all library advocates to make their voices heard on a national level.

National Library Legislative Day began in 1976. In 2003, Friends of Libraries U.S.A. began a virtual component to engage Friends of the Library groups, library advocates and supporters around the country who could not travel to Washington, D.C., for the main event. Now in its 11th year, the virtual campaign continues to support the efforts of those who attend this important day in Washington, D.C., and meet with their elected officials in person.

Talking points and links to contact information for members of Congress will be available at www.ala.org/united/advocacy/virtuallegday. In addition, the website features flyers and bookmarks for library advocates to print, email or post on their websites to help spread the word in their communities.

United for Libraries will present the free webinar “Library Advocacy at the State Level: 12 Steps to Success” from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, April 30. Participants will learn the basics of government/legislative advocacy and understand the 12 steps necessary to be an effective advocate for library issues when meeting with key decision-makers. The webinar will feature Jeff Smith, director of public affairs for Humanim and president of the Foundation for Baltimore County (Md.) Public Library. Register online. Space is limited to 100 participants. However, a recording of the webinar will be made available free to United for Libraries members after April 30.

More information about National Library Legislative Day, including a list of events for those who plan to participate in Washington, D.C., can be found online at http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/nlld.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association that supports citizens who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. United for Libraries brings together library Trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information or to join United for Libraries, contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org. 

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