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Library Legislative Day in Sacramento a Success!
On behalf of the CLA Legislative Committee, I would like to thank those of you who participated in CLA/CSLA Library Legislative Day in Sacramento yesterday. And hats off to those of you who sent letters and resolutions to your legislators encouraging support of PLF, the State Library, Resource Sharing, SB156 Library Construction and Renovation Bond and the many other bills and funding issues so important to California libraries. There were nearly 300 highly visible librarians and library supporters recognized in the Capitol Halls by the "Libraries = Value" folders. Now that's advocacy!
Here are a few suggestions to keep our message alive during this legislative session:
- Send letters of support NOW for PLF, SB156, AB1233 (from Prop. 49 funds, not General Funds) and AB1030 (letters from law enforcement officials would be very compelling)
- Introduce resolutions in support of SB156
- Introduce resolutions in support of full funding for PLF
- Send Thank you letters to legislators and/or their staff for taking the time to meet with you
- Send Letters/emails to key legislators encouraging their co-authorship of SB156, AB1233 and AB1030
All documents will remain on the CLA Website throughout the Legislative Session.
Many of you provided feedback throughout the day on the 100+ legislative appointments, but if you haven't please take a few minutes to respond to the survey that is posted on the CLA Website. Who did you meet with and what was their level of support for libraries? Were you successful in securing additional co-authors for SB156, AB1233 or AB1030? Did you find the legislative orientation at the start of the day helpful? Did you participate in the Demystifying Grassroots Lobbying Podcast with Nancy Amidei? Did you make use of Room 115 as a respite between appointments? What suggestions can you offer to improve Legislative Day in Sacramento and/or Legislative Day in the District for next year? We need to hear from you if we are to make improvements to this event next year.
Finally, I would like to recognize the entire CLA Legislative Committee, but extend a special thanks to Kathy Gould, Legislative Day Coordinator, Susan Negreen and her staff for all the on site preparation, Diane Smikahl and Bessie Condos for their work in preparing documents for the Legislative Day packets, John McGinnis for his expertise managing the Legislative Day Appointment data, "Team Dillon" for their leadership throughout the year and their insightful comments during the Legislative Day Orientation, Margaret Donnellan Todd, CLA President, Susan Hildreth for securing a National Library Week Proclamation from the Governor and all the CLA Legislative Committee Members and Liaisons whose leadership and experience helped to make 2007 Library Legislative Day one of our most successful. Now let's get busy with those letters and resolutions and keep CLA's message alive!
Melinda Cervantes, Chair
CLA Legislative Committee
CLA Legislative Committee Members
Jose Aponte
Melinda Cervantes, Chair
Deborah Clark
Bessie Condos
Deborah Doyle
Kathy Gould
Carey Gross
Luis Herrera
Terri Maguire
David McFadden
Jan Sanders
Diane Smikahl
Liaisons
Alan Bern, IFC
Deborah Doyle, CALTAC
Susan Hildreth, State Library
John McGinnis, CSLA
Susan Negreen, CLA
Cameron Robertson, State Library
Susan Steinhauser, LOC Board
Lobbyists
Mike Dillon
Christina Dillon
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Posted on April 23, 2007 2:45 PM | Permalink