PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY UPDATES
ALA endorses the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act...
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/telecom/broadband/Letter%20to%20Senate_Infrastructure%20Investment%20and%20Jobs%20Act_August%202021.pdf
But we'd like one small change to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act -- to the inclusion of anchor institutions. ALA joins SHLB, SETDA, and COSN in an appeal...
https://www.shlb.org/uploads/Policy/Infrastructure/SHLB-CoSN-SETDA-ALA%20letter%20to%20Senate%20-%20Aug.%205%202021%20-%20FINAL.pdf
The Digital Equity Act is in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act!! ALA has been advocating for this for a couple of years... and yes more $ for libraries.
https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1422489100121149452
Still need help to get the Build America's Libraries Act into the budget resolution/budget reconciliation bill. You can raise your voice especially useful if your senators/representative have not yet co-sponsored:
https://cqrcengage.com/ala/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=511327
Have questions about the Emergency Connectivity Fund? Check out the recording of the FCC's newest Q&A webinar, and all their ECF resources. Application deadline is approaching...
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1422651215565963266
ALA partners with museum groups, CDC, IMLS, and other groups on the Communities For Immunity initiative – working to disseminate information about vaccines to help build confidence in the Covid vaccines
https://twitter.com/ALALibrary/status/1423354374466805760
ALA publishes new resource: how to conduct a library tour with your legislators
https://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2021/07/ala-publishes-new-resource-how-conduct-library-tour-your-legislators
What is "reasonable access" for library digital books? Maryland Library Association publishes a statement.
https://www.mdlib.org/files/docs/press/statement.pdf
and press release includes quote from ALA President Patty Wong:
https://www.mdlib.org/files/docs/press/press.pdf
ALA partners with NonProfit Vote for National Voter Registration Day
https://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2021/08/ala-partners-nonprofit-vote-national-voter-registration-day-2021
First in-person advocate/lobbyist happy hour for Alan/ALA
https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1423431567498780674
NEWS AND ARTICLES
Yolo County supervisor goes door-to-door to get input on how to spend funds: Angel Barajas is seeking community input on American Rescue Fund expenditures. What's happening in your community? Opportunity for libraries (of all types)?
https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2021/07/15/yolo-county-supervisor-goes-door-to-door-to-get-input-on-how-to-spend-funds/
Brookings Institution's Brown Center Chalkboard: "Public libraries continue to adapt, enriching communities across America"
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2021/06/01/public-libraries-continue-to-adapt-enriching-communities-across-america/?utm_campaign=Brown%20Center%20on%20Education%20Policy&utm_medium=email&utm_content=132418485&utm_source=hs_email
From our friend and colleague Shannon Mattern: "Long live all our public libraries" in the N.Y. Daily News.
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-long-live-the-public-library-20210801-pv2ewgmpoveuxo2ilfif33afpi-story.html
Alan S. Inouye, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Public Policy & Government Relations
American Library Association
1615 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-403-8218 ▪ ainouye@alawash.org; ala.org/wo
Follow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye