Indiana Library Federation Advocacy Updates January 29, 2021

Your Library Advocacy Update Indiana General Assembly Under Way Third House Sessions & Calendar ILF Policy Priorities & Specific Bills Key Links Members may register for ILF Virtual Updates on 2/8, 2/2, 3/8, 4/5, 4/19 Indiana Public Library Wi-Fi Map Bose Reports (Members: log in and scroll down) ILF Advocacy Training (on demand) Contact us for customized advocacy services related to your library.

Indiana General Assembly Under Way After a week of the Statehouse and Government Center being closed, the Indiana General Assembly was very busy this week. Certain bills already passed third reading. Second Reading Deadlines for are Feb. 18 (House) and Feb. 22 (Senate). ILF anticipates being active on a few bills moving through in the coming weeks, specifically around tax structure and support for continued electronic meetings for library boards. Deadlines for third readings are Feb. 22 (House) and Feb. 23 (Senate). HB1271, Department of Local Government Finance, is scheduled for Feb. 3.

Third House & Meet Your Legislator Meetings Many Third House, Cracker Barrel, or Meet Your Legislator meetings are continuing with a mix of virtual, hybrid, and in-person. These sessions offer each legislator in an area the opportunity to share updates about proposed legislation and take constituent questions. ILF aims to keep the calendar of upcoming Third House events updated so members may attend, listen in, or even participate. Know of an upcoming meeting that we do not have listed? Contact Nick.

ILF Priorities & Key Messages When talking with key stakeholders and policymakers in the Indiana General Assembly, you may refer to this two-page document that outlines our priorities. Check out our policy brief on Broadband and Internet Connectivity or Effective School Libraries. Tip Include a story from your library about: How many people use your computers and Wi-Fi to participate in eLearning, remote work, e-government, and the economy. What broadband expansion would mean for your rural area. How students use INSPIRE, Indiana's virtual library, for credible research or how residents use it for family search. The thousands of students and teachers the school librarian helps with eLearning and instruction in a single week.

Governor's Press Conference References Libraries Libraries are playing important roles in helping with vaccine information, scheduling, registration, and locations. Check out the Gov’s press conference from 1/27. Dr. Weaver talks about public libraries around the 20-minute mark. The image at right is a COVID-19 Scheduling Express Station at Mooresville Public Library. We are collecting photos, testimonials from residents, and anecdotes. Email Nick. All Ind. public libraries have access to training and information about scheduling and registration best practices. Public library directors are emailed directly.

Members: Register for Virtual Advocacy Updates Feb. 8 and 22, March 8 and 22, April 5 and 19, 10 a.m. ET Stay informed and engaged with our library advocacy. We proactively advocate for Indiana libraries! Here are some ways we keep you informed: Weekly emailed Advocacy Updates, open to all. Subscribe here. Reports from Bose Public Affairs, our contracted firm with a constant statehouse presence (members-only benefit). Virtual advocacy updates, which are a member-only benefit. Advocacy Committee leaders share updates and respond to questions. Members may register here.

General Assembly Links Find your Legislator Committees 2021 Bills

‌ ‌ ‌

Visit our website