|
Cheery Friday Greetings!
Advocacy: We are still in the midst of library advocacy! As we all know, advocacy is an on-going process of relationship-building, a continual effort. Right now, however, is a crucial time of the year--the Senate and Assembly are developing their one-house budgets. It is important to remain in their hearts and minds as they enter the final weeks of negotiation—right up until the moment that the budget is finalized. Keep those communications going!
Library Advocacy Day in Albany was lower-key this year, partially due to the weather and also there were fewer advocates for all causes in the building. The legislators with whom I met said we had their support. Library workers have been doing a great job of getting legislators into their libraries—this is so important and makes a difference.
NYLA's Advocacy Center contains all the information that you need to continue your advocacy efforts. Letters, emails, phone calls—it’s all good! Together, we shall have a positive impact! Here is a summary of the $$ asks:
$147.1M for state library aid for libraries and library systems receiving direct aid (e.g., SCRLC);
$69M for public library construction aid -- a fraction (i.e., less than 5%) of what is needed across the state.
In addition to writing to your own legislators, please contact the Chair of the NYS Assembly’s Committee on Libraries and Education Technology, Carrie Woerner, and the Chair of the NYS Senate’s Libraries Standing Committee, Iwen Chu. They are strong library supporters. Check out Assembly Member Woerner’s video in support of libraries!
Also contact the Governor's office, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie. Senator Chu and Assembly Member Heastie are also library supporters.
Individual advocates can always donate to the New Yorkers for Better Libraries Political Action Committee to amplify their voices.
In other matters, see below to register for some new learning opportunities—Rebecca Albrecht Oling on the topic of Digital Accessibility for March 30 and Dr. Bryan Alexander on the Climate Crisis for April 12. We will also be scheduling two webinars with Dr. Kawanna Bright for May and June, as well as a few other events.
Yours in partnership,
Mary-Carol Lindbloom
Executive Director
| 
