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Library Legislative Day 2008 Update
Library Legislative Day
April 16, 2008 in Sacramento
Library Legislative Day in Sacramento will be held on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 and our network of Legislative Contacts is busy making appointments with legislators to discuss topics of interest to the library community. The 2008 CLA Legislative priorities are:
- Rejecting the Governor's 10 percent across-the-board cut to the Public Library Foundation (PLF) in the 2008-09 budget. Note: This fund was already cut $7 million in the 2007-08 Budget. With the Governor's cuts, the program would only receive approximately $13 million out of the $100 million required by statute to fully fund the program.
- Rejecting the Governor's 10 percent across-the-board cut to the Transaction Based Reimbursement (TBR) in the 2008-09 Budget. Note: This fund was already cut $7 million or 33% in the 2007-08 Budget. With the Governor's cuts, the program is funded at $10.1 million. Full funding would be approximately $25 million.
- Actively monitoring and supporting SB1516, the California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2010. SB-1516 (Simitian) is a proposed statewide bond bill that would provide $5.6 billion in state monies to fund public library construction and renovation projects.
- Supporting the Governor's proposed 2008-09 Budget for State Library operations.
- Advocating for funding of public library capital projects including support for possible legislation to lower the threshold for future library bond measures to 55% as was done for school bonds.
Sponsored by the California Library Association (CLA), the California School Library Association (CSLA), and the California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners (CALTAC), Library Legislative Day is an opportunity for library staff and supporters to meet with your state Legislators and/or their staffs in their Capitol offices.
We will brief Legislators on issues affecting public and school libraries, tell them how libraries are making a difference in the lives of their constituents, and learn more about the current situation in Sacramento.
Registration for Library Legislative Day is a 2-step process.
1. Register with CLA at www.cla-net.org.
A small registration fee will help offset the costs of this event. An important briefing will being promptly at 8:30 AM - please make travel arrangements to ensure you are there on time. You will need to make your own arrangements for accommodations if required.
2. Go to http://www.legiday.net/.
This website will provide appointment dates and times and allow you to add your name to the appointment list for specific legislators.
At the www.legiday.net login screen, enter:
Account name: member
Password: member
After you hit enter you will be taken to a new screen. Click on "legiday" to enter the database. This will take you to the Home Page for the Legislative Day 2008.
Click on "Legislators". This will take you to a listing of all legislators in the database. Legislators are listed in district order by default. By clicking the headers of the columns you can sort the list by individual field. Also note there are other navigation tools in the header of list of legislators, e.g. alphabetical shortcuts and links to individual legislative houses.
For each legislator, click on either "View" or "Sign Up" to the left of the legislator's name to bring up a screen with the legislator's appointment information. You will then be prompted to enter your name and contact information.
The website will be updated as appointments are made. If no appointment has yet been made with your legislator(s), keep checking! The Legislative Contacts are setting up appointments as quickly as possible, but it can be a slow process.
Registration details:
NOTE: If you are a member of CLA, CSLA, or CALTAC, the database should automatically retrieve the contact information on record for you. If the database brings up a list of names and you are not on that list, you may register your name and email address by following the instructions at the top of the screen.
IMPORTANT #1: Always click on-screen buttons to post information. Simply hitting the Return or Enter key on your keyboard may not work.
IMPORTANT #2: Always click the /Log out/ link when you are finished. If you leave the screen idle for more than 5 minutes, you will be automatically logged out. The database can accommodate only 100 simultaneous users.
IMPORTANT #3: It can take some time for the Legislative Contact to set up the appointment. If the database does not yet list an appointment date and time with your Legislator please keep checking.
IMPORTANT #4: Please sign up for appointments by Friday, April 11 to ensure your name can be included in the printed schedule of appointments that is distributed on Legislative Day.
As you plan your participation in Library Legislative Day, here are some things to keep in mind:
Fact sheets are posted online at http://www.cla-net.org/legislation/legday.php. Prior to traveling to Sacramento, you are encouraged to check the CLA website under the heading of Legislation/Advocacy to help you prepare for your meetings with legislators.
CLA has posted information on funding received by each Legislative District for Public Library Foundation (PLF), Transaction Based Reimbursements (TBR) and Literacy Programs at www.cla-net.org/legislation/legday.php.
You may wish to bring brief handout materials (such as a brochure or newsletter highlighting the services provided by your library) that can be left behind for future reference.
Trustees, Commissioners, Board members, Friends, parents, students or other supporters are invited to attend. Please ensure that the names and affiliations of all representatives of your library are registered on the appointment website so that the contact person can let the legislator know who will be attending the meeting.
In partnership with the American Library Association, CLA has acquired Capwiz, a networking tool to keep subscribers apprised of legislative changes. If you are a member of CLA, information will automatically be sent to you. If you are not a CLA member and would like to subscribe, visit http://capwiz.com/ala/ca/mlm/signup/ to sign up.
See you in Sacramento!
Diane Smikahl
Library Legislative Day Coordinator 2008
Posted on March 20, 2008 3:24 PM | Permalink