D.C. Debrief

We’re back from ALA’s National Library Legislative Day in Washington, D.C.! We had the most amazing time advocating for libraries on The Hill (which is, quite literally, a hill. Who knew!).

We felt incredibly lucky to be two of six librarians and advocates included in the Illinois Delegation. There were many states that had only one or two advocates, and since we were only scheduled to meet with Congresspeople who represented our home districts, that meant most of their state went unrepresented with Reps from The House.

We met with staffers from Congressman Eric Sorenson’s office (IL-17), and Senators Tammy Duckworth’s and Dick Durbin’s offices to discuss the ALA’s main three advocacy points:

1. IMLS funding for LSTA - currently, LSTA is funded at $212m, however in 2010 it was funded at $213m. We requested that the funding be raised to $232m.

2. Sustainable, reliable, and long-term funding for E-Rate.

3. Increased funding for Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) - currently funded at $30 million per year, we asked for $50 million. This funding supports school libraries to improve literacy initiatives.

Once we discussed the Big 3 ALA Asks, we brought up other issues:

1. Recent Government Accountability Office Report on Public Libraries, which highlighted the state of public library buildings and the need for capital project funding (70% of public libraries have backlog of deferred maintenance and 38% of public libraries have a building in poor condition).

2. The Right to Read Act, which would fund IAL even further, require adequate staffing in school libraries (including a certified school librarian), facilities, support information and digital literacy programs, and protect students’ first amendment rights.

3. The Prison Libraries Act, which would expand the infrastructure of prison libraries, improve collections, and fund digital literacy initiatives.

Unfortunately, while we were there Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) introduced HR7661, titled “Stop the Sexualization of Children Act”. This bill targets materials — specifically any materials not deemed classic works of literature per the 1990 edition of Great Books of the Western World or two lists from Compass Classroom (a religious, homeschool-focused website). This bill additionally targets any "sexually oriented material” which is defined as materials that discuss gender dysphoria or transgenderism.

If you’d like to take action against HR7661, please call your legislators and sign this petition from EveryLibrary.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Recommended Reading

American Libraries - Federal Funding for Libraries Prevails

ProPublica - Grant Guidelines for Libraries and Museums Take “Chilling” Political Turn Under Trump

We Will Not Be Erased: A Militant Manifesto for Libraries