PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY UPDATES
--> Action. Sign up for the Unite Against Book Bans campaign. It is easy to sign up. Be informed about what's happening to libraries and library workers in the book banning & censorship arenas. And take action if you can, with ALA.
https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/
ALA releases "Empowered by Reading" as part of the Unite Against Book Bans campaign. This report has data & tools for the public to make the case for giving youth access to a wide variety of books.
https://twitter.com/FTRF/status/1575859381899788288
https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Empowered-by-Reading-final.pdf
Congressional Resolution Condemns Nationwide Book Banning Efforts, introduced by Rep. Jamie Raskin. Release includes quote by ALA President.
https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1573662292205604864
Full-page ad in the New York Times to oppose book banning. Signatories include ALA, AFT, NAACP, GLAAD, and others.
https://twitter.com/ALALibrary/status/1572300954015498242
Sen. Reed and Rep. Grijalva introduce the Right to Read Act that calls for funding to ensure every student has a fully resourced school library, staffed by a certified school librarian. ALA President is quoted in the Congressional release.
https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-and-grijalva-introduce-right-to-read-act-to-invest-in-literacy_address-disparities-in-access-to-school-library-resources/
https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/10/ala-applauds-new-school-library-legislation-widen-access-students-nationwide
In comments to the FCC, ALA urges that cybersecurity expenses should be generally eligible in the E-rate program
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/telecom/erate/ALA_E-rate%202023%20ESL%20Comments_09212022.pdf
ALA submits comments related to development of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Outreach Grant Program, WC-Docket 21-450
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/filing/10930113847983
On September 27, the ALA Executive Board sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray expressing concerns about the threats directed to public and school libraries and library workers.
https://twitter.com/ALALibrary/status/1575138011272155137
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/letter-concern-fbi-regarding-threats-violence-libraries
In the Portland Press-Herald: Maine Voices: We have a rare opportunity to improve local libraries. Re: library facilities in FY23 federal appropriations.
https://twitter.com/MaineLibAssoc/status/1578410361908187136
Recording is now available of the recent DPLA webinar on ebook legislative efforts.
Agenda: https://dpla.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6wqGbDJtQkayPa2zVHm_YA
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azxaWgkxtVw
ALA Executive Director Tracie Hall appeared on WNPR's Where We Live discussing digital redlining, the systematic denial of equitable access to information, information services, and information retrieval methods
https://twitter.com/ALALibrary/status/1577405451360210958
... and Tracie also was keynoter at "Advancing Digital Equity in Connecticut" at the Hartford Public Library
https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1575491647831670790
Our head of communications Shawnda Hines keynoting at the West Virginia Library Association conference
https://twitter.com/LibraryPolicy/status/1577714745469288452
NEWS, ARTICLES, RESOURCES
President Biden re-establishes the President's Committee on Arts and Humanities, with IMLS and libraries having a prominent role
https://www.ala.org/news/ALA-welcomes-reinstated-Presidents-Committee-on-the-Arts-and-Humanities#.YzriU9TAwmE.twitter
GPO Director's Task Force on a Digital Federal Depository Library Program seeks public comments on its draft report.
https://twitter.com/USGPO/status/1570077998098907136
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden: Once a children's librarian always a children's librarian.
https://twitter.com/LibnOfCongress/status/1578804068138745856
Sen. Roy Blunt receives award at the Committee on Education Funding (CEF) Gala (ALA is a member of CEF and a sponsor of the gala)
https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye/status/1572739390660640770
Alan S. Inouye, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Public Policy & Government Relations and Interim Associate Executive Director
American Library Association
1615 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Office 202-403-8218 ▪ Mobile 202-276-6738 ▪ ainouye@alawash.org
Follow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlanSInouye