Pursuing excellence for library service to children
Earlier this month, library advocates from across the country converged on Capitol Hill for National Library Legislative Day. This year, the Public Awareness Committee (PAC) was pleased to have their new Information Sheet included in legislator packets. Today, we have super-library-advocate, Amy Koester, with us to talk about how she used the new information sheet at this year’s NLLD.
I’ve just returned from the Arbuthnot Honor Lecture, delivered by Naomi Shihab Nye in Bellingham WA. You will hear more on this event soon, but you can check it out now on Twitter at #Arbuthnot2018 (and contemplate your application to be the host site for the 2019 lecture with Debbie Reese? Applications close May 15th). During her talk, which will be published in Children and Libraries, Nye said that she encourages everyone to read obituaries, and shared a little about how many amazing people she has discovered through them. “We don’t have to look far for heroes; but we do have to remember how many there are.” This made me think of the amazing work each of you do every day, in your libraries. While in Bellingham, I visited the Bellingham Public Library and was impressed at examples of what I know so many of you accomplish: maintaining library environments…
The ALSC Public Awareness Committee is pleased to share a new Information Sheet now available in support of National Library Legislative Day (NLLD). It is intended to aid children’s librarians in promoting our expertise to legislators, and to reinforce the important role that libraries play in young patrons’ lives.
Considering the current state of affairs in the United States, advocacy for library services to children may be more vital than ever before. The ALSC Advocacy and Legislation Committee would like to make sure you have all the tools and resources you need to be excellent advocates for yourselves, your libraries, and children and families in your communities.
With my time on the Advocacy & Legislation Committee coming to a close, I thought I would share my experience at the 2016 National Library Legislative Day (NLLD).
As most of us can’t physically travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in National Library Legislative Day (NLLD), ALSC’s Advocacy and Legislation Committee has developed resources so you can contact Congressional leaders from home! Check out these easy-to-use resources for taking action from your library community during the week of May 4-8, 2015. Contact Your U.S. Senators and Representatives Talking Points to Use with Legislators Letter to Congress Template Sample VLLD 15 Tweets