Library Advocacy Updates
from Indiana Library Federation
January 31, 2020
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In this issue of your
ILF Advocacy Update
What YOU can do
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Week 4 of the Indiana General Assembly
Week four marks the deadline for committee reports in the
Indiana General Assembly
. Of the nearly 1,000 bills introduced in 2020, bills that have not passed out of committee by the deadline will die. Committee meetings were long and often stressful, as many emotional topics dominated hearings (i.e. pregnancy accommodations at work, hands-free driving, smoking and vaping, firearm training for teachers, and lowering the age for committing a child to Dept. of Correction). Bills about taxes and fees debated fairness and to whom, especially as many communities have hit the property tax caps.
ILF Advocacy in Week 4
ILF focused most of our efforts building support for SB410. The library bill we support, SB410, passed unanimously (10-0) out of Senate Local Government on 1/30 (see below). I
LF monitored may other bills related to
ILF Policy Priorities
.
While we are watching scores of bills, several bills impact tax funds for local units. We will continue to monitor
many tax- and education-related bills.
M
embers may see
ILF's bill list linked in the Bose Report
.
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The Library Bill, SB410
Sen. Sue Glick
(SD13-R) drew on her experience as a trustee from LaGrange County Public Library to author SB410 at our request.
Sonya Dintaman
, director of
Carnegie Public Library of Steuben County and a constituent of Sen. Glick, testified in support of the bill. The photo at right shows Sen. Glick and Director Dintaman speaking to the Sen. Local Government Committee.
SB410, Libraries
,
includes language to 1) clarify HEA1343 for implementation, 2) allow libraries to provide foster children library cards, and 3) require criminal history check policies.
See SB410 outline for details
. The Senate Committee adopted two amendments by consent related to minor technical corrections (as already reflected in the Library Finances brief). Issue briefs below provide more details about ILF Positions that we worked to including in this proactive piece of library legislation.
What happens next?
The bill moves to the Senate floor and must pass the full Senate by the third reading deadline by 2/4. Then, legislators will take a short break, returning to the "second half" on 2/10. We will repeat the process on the House side with a committee hearing, second reading on the floor and third reading vote to pass. If passed in identical form, it will head to the Governor for signature. If the House amends it further, it may go to conference committee. We are feeling confident, AND we still have a distance to go.
What YOU can do
- Take action by contacting your State Senator, asking them to vote yes for SB410. If your senator is a co-author or member of the Senate Local Government Committee, please edit your message to THANK YOU for co-authoring/supporting SB410. Contact ILF for more specific messaging if desired.
- ILF members may learn more on the Virtual Update on Mon., Feb. 3.
- Participate in #INLibrarySnapshotDay and Virtual Statehouse Day (see below).
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Countdown to Library Day at the Statehouse
Monday, February 10
Registration
is still open for
Library Day at the Statehouse
on Monday, February 10. We provide preparation training and match you with a more experienced advocate for meetings with legislators to discuss our ILF Policy Priorities. Check out the
photos from the 2019 event
.
What YOU can do if you are NOT attending
Monday,
February 10 is #INLibrarySnapshotDay
. Take a snapshot of action in your library, and tag your legislator, to the effect that "I am sorry I am not with you at the Statehouse today; here is a great thing happening in your academic/school/public library back home in your district." More info next week.
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Our Advocacy for School Libraries
ILF advocates for effective school library programs that include a certified teacher librarian, supported by qualified library assistants. While not a budget year, we advocate for increased funding for school library materials, as the requirement has not increased in 30 years. Download our issue brief:
Ensuring that every student has access to an effective school library program,
or review the 2018
Status Report on Indiana School Libraries
. The ILF-AISLE (Association of School Library Educators) Advisory Board has prioritized outreach to and relationship building with teachers, administrators, and policymakers in 2020.
First steps in advocating for school libraries
- Ask about the school library in your local school. Parents assume that the school has a quality school library. School boards and administrators listen to parents and concerned citizens.
- Visit the school library, meet the school librarian and/or assistant, and seek out collaboration, whether you are a public or academic library, business leader, or community group. Examples of collaborations around the state include public-school print and electronic sharing of collections, joint author visits, college and career programming, regular book deliveries to schools, mobile classroom with career tech, and much more.
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What YOU can do to Advocate for Libraries
We invite ILF members, as well as library supporters, to join our advocacy efforts. Here are a few things you can do:
Supporters - open to all
ILF Members
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Indiana Library Federation Links
ILF web improvements are underway
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