There are a couple of items of interest in the latest news update from the Illinois Library Association.
2014 Advocacy Calendar
It’s not too early to get key library advocacy dates on your calendar for 2014. Here goes:
- February 14: South Suburban Breakfast, Lockport
- February 14: West Suburban Lunch, Oak Brook
- February 17: North Suburban Breakfast, Buffalo Grove
- February 21: Metro East Breakfast, Edwardsville
These FOUR Legislative Meet-Ups in February will give us an opportunity to talk with members of the Illinois General Assembly, and if your library isn’t covered by one of these regional meetings, think about setting up a visit with your legislators around the same dates.
Register at www.ila.org/advocacy/24th-annual-library-legislative-events
May 5 & 6: National Library Legislative Day in Washington,DC
We know this trip to our nation’s capital is a major commitment of time and resources, but it remains an important way for libraries to be heard on the national stage. ILA will reserve a block of rooms and assist in coordinating appointments with members of the U.S. Congress. Details will be announced as our delegation forms in early 2014.
The advocacy days take the place of Illinois Library Day this year. Illinois Library Day, which occurs in Springfield and is a day of lobbying and advocacy on behalf of all Illinois libraries, was last held in 2012. Note that, even if your library is not covered by one of the regional meet-ups, you can still arrange a meeting with your legislators for around the same time. The more voices that are heard on behalf of Illinois libraries, the better. If you are not sure who your state legislators are, you can find out at the Illinois State Board of Elections website, http://www.elections.il.gov/districtlocator/districtofficialsearchbyaddress.aspx. Also, for more information on National Library Legislative Day, including the registration link and a tentative schedule for the Illinois delegation, you can check at http://www.ila.org/ila-events/national-library-legislative-day.