Board approved revised 2022 legislative priorities

2022 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

The California Library Association — through its members and advocates — works to make a difference for all Californians by providing adequately funded libraries, which transform lives through their programs and services. 

At the state level, CLA actively advocates for the following:

1. New and Ongoing Funding Requests

1. $1.4 million to reach $5,000,000 in ongoing funding for the California Library Services Act (CLSA) that fosters resource sharing among libraries, particularly in rural areas where funding challenges persist. 

1. $450,000 to reach $1,250,000 in ongoing funding for Lunch at the Library to provide literacy-rich programs to blunt the impact of the summer slide for children who receive 300,000+ free and nutritious lunches at hundreds of libraries across the state.

1. $785,000 for JobNow, VetNow, and LearnNow, to support economic recovery and education for vulnerable populations.

1. Maintain ongoing funding to support the diverse informational needs of people in rural and underserved populations who cannot get to a physical library through Zip Books.
   
   
2. $4 million dollars in funding to support Ebooks for All aimed at increasing access to digital content for early learners and school-aged children throughout California.

2. Equitable Access to Critical Library and Information Services

1. Broadband equity for unserved and underserved communities.

2. Support the freedom to read and access to material with diverse points of view.

3. Accessible buildings, including upgrades to critical infrastructure and support in times of disaster such as wildfires and extreme heat.

4. Early literacy, school readiness, adult literacy, career development, vocational support, and assistance to vulnerable populations.

5. Mandate credentialed Teacher Librarians in all California Public Schools.

6. Support for libraries to purchase eBooks and e-audiobooks at the same price as consumers.

CLA supports positive action in key areas, including, but not limited to:

CLA also monitors all state legislation that may impact items on the above list or that are identified as having an impact on libraries, library funding and/or library staff.

Updated version adopted by CLA Executive Board on March 18, 2022