Make a Difference for Libraries in D.C. (Really, it's Possible)

An ALA Washington Office Webinar

TOPICS

About the Webinar What’s Happening (or NOT) in D.C.

Five Things to Do TODAY Your Checklist

About the Webinar

    Muting Questions Toolbar Follow-up materials and recording

Who’s Speaking?

Stephanie Vance

• • • • Former DC Staff Director for Rep. Blumenauer Former Lobbyist National Public Radio Author 5 books on Advocacy Long-time ALA Friend

What's Happening (or NOT) in D.C.

The Budget, Appropriations Process, Continuing Resolution, Debt Ceiling and More Demystified (in about 5 Minutes!)

Terms / Dates

End of Fiscal Year (September 30 th ) • Government shut down if no agreement on spending • Impact on libraries depends on type of library • Potential for long-term problems with funding from various federal programs Continuing Resolution (if agreed to) • If no agreement on overall funding, Congress must pass a “CR” that will keep the government funded through a deadline set by the resolution • This has happened every year since 1998 • In 2001 there were 21 continuing resolutions

Terms / Dates

Omnibus Appropriations Bill • Under regular order, Congress would pass 12 separate appropriations bills • An “omnibus” bill combines those appropriations into one • A “minibus” bill combines a few into one Debt Ceiling • When the debt ceiling is reached, the Federal Government will be unable to borrow money to fund activities.

• This is expected to happen around October 15th

The Perfect Fiscal Storm

What this means Speak now or forever hold your peace!

Concern about Federal Spending End of Fiscal Year and Debt Limit Desire to eliminate funding for Affordable Care Act / Obamacare Library Funding’s Position in Controversial Bills

Number One: Connect Through Social Media

Text “Library” to 877877 to sign up for ALA alerts (and take action!)

Number Two: Invite District Staff to the Library

    Who are “district staff?” How do I find them?

Who do I ask for?

What do I say?

(you can invite legislators too, but let’s focus on something easy!)

Number Three: Engage Others TODAY

Template Handout for Advocates Staff, Friends, Trustees, Patrons, Students and other Library Supporters About the Library

Our library was founded in [year]. We serve [] patrons/students and employ [] people in the [] area. Our most popular services are []. We provide meeting space for [groups]. Because of the unique needs of our community we provide the following special services []. We have also been able to invest in [special projects such as a new building]. We have achieved all this on a budget of [] per year. Unfortunately, those resources continue to be threatened and we need your help!

What We Need You to Do

In order to understand the value we bring to the community, policymakers and their staff need to hear from YOU, the users and supporters of the library. Together, we can develop compelling stories that will inspire ongoing legislative and financial support for the work we do. How can you help? Glad you asked:  Tell us your story o What services do you use at the library? o How did you first get interested in the library? o What needs do you see? We can use this information to let policymakers know how real people use our resources  Use the “Library Value Calculator” to help quantify our message (see www.ilovelibraries.org

under the “get involved” section)  Sign the “Declaration for the Right to Libraries” ( www.ilovelibraries.org/declaration )  Review local media for opportunities for letters to the editor and other public relations messages  Learn about legislators by reviewing their websites ( www.house.gov

and www.senate.gov

). Read the “issues” tab  Take a look at the pictures of legislators so you can recognize them if they come in the door (you can find those on their websites)  Follow legislators on social media. Identify opportunities to post comments (positively, please!) Library Supporters Staff Policy Allies Decision Maker Friends and Family Political Allies

Number Three Continued…

Policy Allies

Train Your Advocates

Use the recordings available through the Advocacy University. More available soon!

• What do you need?

Library Supporters Decision Maker Political Allies Staff Friends and Family

Number Four: Get to Know the DC and District Staff How do you find them? Call and ask – here’s a sample script:  Hello Rep. So-and-So’s Office  Hello, I’d like to speak with the person who handles education issues (

SV note: start there

)     May I say who’s calling?

[Your name] One moment [pause]. I’m sorry so and-so is away from the office. May I connect you to her/his voice mail?

Yes please. And may I get the e-mail address as well?

Number Four Continued… Your message      Hello my name is [] and I’m from [].

I’d like to set up a call/visit with you to discuss our library and the services it provides to our community.

I know Rep/Senator So-and-so is very interested in how public services like ours address the needs of our citizens. We rely on a number of local, state and federal programs to make that possible.

I’d like an opportunity to discuss those services and how we might improve / protect the federal partnership.

   What is a “townhall?” How do they take place?

   In-person Virtual Telephone How do you do it?

Number Five: Townhalls

A Bonus

Respond to Our Survey https://advocacyassociates.wufoo.com/for ms/libraries-influence-activities opportunities/

Checklist for Education, Advocacy, Lobbying and Beyond!

 Connect on Social Media   Facebook Twitter   Linked-In YouTube  Invite District Staff to the library  Put “Library Advocacy” on the agenda for a friends / trustees meeting  Get acquainted with DC and District Staff  Find out when townhall meetings are and make plans to attend  Find and train others who can lobby  Respond to our survey so we can give you everything you need!

 Current example of “can you lobby” slide show

Contact

ALA Washington Office

Contact Information

  Ted Wegner, ALA Washington Office  [email protected]

  Washington Office Line:  (202) 628-8410  (800) 941-8478 (for the cash strapped among us) www.ala.org

Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru    [email protected]

(202) 349-1036 www.advocacyguru.com