Library Advocacy Updates from Indiana Library Federation February 14, 2020

In this Valentine's issue of your ILF Advocacy Update Call to support SB410, the library bill, in the House Legislative updates after the start of the second half Highlights from Library Day at the Statehouse Update on federal funding and call to action Quick Links What YOU can do Ask your State Representative to support SB410. Check out the social media feed from Monday's #LibraryStatehouseDay or #INLibrarySnapshotDay. Contact your member of Congress about federal funding for libraries (partnership with ALA). Be sure your staff and colleagues are subscribed to the Advocacy Updates. Check out new Virtual Advocacy Toolkit Members may Review the weekly Legislative Report with specific ILF Bill Track List from Bose Public Affairs. Register for the ILF Virtual Advocacy Updates, held bi-weekly through session including Mon., 2/17. Sign up for ILF Text Alerts. Contact us for customized advocacy services related to your library.

Take Action: Contact your State Representative and ask them to support SB410 SB410 , the library bill, passed out of the Senate 49-0 and is anticipated to be heard in the House Local Government Committee on Thursday, February 20. Library supporters may ask their Representatives to support SB410. You may contact your legislators directly through our ILF Action Center . Enter your home address and customize your message. Or view the key messages if you want to contact them directly. You may thank Senators for their yes vote via email or a special tweet.

The second half of the Indiana General Assembly  Week six marks the halfway point of session where bills are heard in the second chamber of the Indiana General Assembly . A fraction of the bills remain alive, and have less than three weeks to get through committees. ILF Advocacy in Week 6 Library supporters met with legislators on Feb. 10, Library Day at the Statehouse . We shared our support for SB410, the library bill we support that passed out of the senate with a vote of 49-0. I LF waited for library-related bills to be assigned to committee and posted for hearings, as we monitor bills related to ILF Policy Priorities . We will continue to monitor many tax- and education-related bills in the second half, such as HB1113 (the DLGF bill), HB1003 (aka "school freedom"), SB131 (national motto), SB385 (business personal property tax exemption). We watch closely for language of "dead bills" to be inserted into "live bills." Members may see ILF's bill list linked in the Bose Report .

Highlights from Statehouse Day Seventy library staff met with 76 members of the Indiana General Assembly on February 10, Library Day at the Statehouse. See highlights of a fraction of the photos taken. Vigo County Public Library and Hamilton East Public Library displayed a few features of the modern library, including green screen, STEM activities, virtual reality, devices, and more. Indianapolis Public Library was available to help staff and lobbyists update their library cards and learn about digital resources.

Federal Advocacy The White House released its FY2021 budget proposal, which again includes elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and all funds from Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Remember that in the prior three years the administration proposed cuts, Congress was able to appropriate funding--including increased funding last year--for libraries. Our collective relationships and communications with members of our Indiana Congressional delegation helps to ensure federal funding for libraries. Contact your member of Congress, and ask them to fund libraries . We partner with ALA for this action. Indiana-specific information: Each year, LSTA grants provide approximately $3 million to statewide, Indiana-specific projects and sub-grants in every congressional district. LSTA funds promote innovation, lifelong learning, research and access to information for Hoosiers. Indiana is required to provide a 1/3 match for LSTA funding, which means that a cut in federal support would likely result in a cut to critical programs such as resource sharing, access for people with disabilities, early childhood literacy and technology.

General Assembly Links Find your Legislator Committees Bills Indiana Library Federation Links ILF Legislative Action Center 2020 Priorities ILF Advocacy Updates - Members scroll down with login for Bose Reports Focus Newsletters Subscribe to Advocacy Updates Members Only - Renew, Update your Profile, Access Member Only Documents (Bose Reports, Minutes) Libraries Transform Indiana graphics for member-only download

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