Legislative Alerts

August 25, 2021

ALA Advocacy Alert: BALA Deadline Approaching

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed the budget resolution for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. Now, Congress will begin developing a budget reconciliation package that may provide up to $3.5 trillion in new federal spending. Congressional committees must submit legislation that determines the distribution of this funding no later than September 15. From now until this deadline, we need to do all that we can to ensure the funding outlined in the Build America's Libraries Act is included in this package.

Congress is expected to move quickly on this budget reconciliation package when they return from recess in September. Will you reach out to your federal legislators and urge them to include this funding in the budget reconciliation package? Legislators are likely home now in your district so it's a great time to invite them to tour your library. ALA has a new toolkit “How to Conduct an In-Person Library Tour,” for library advocates to meet with their elected officials. The resource walks advocates through the best practices and steps needed for requesting and scheduling the library tour, things to consider when developing the content and points of interest, and how to publicize the tour to relevant audiences on social media.

You can take action now through an ALA email here, find the contact information of your federal representatives here, or tweet about this using ALA's example below:

Libraries are critical community lifelines for many - @[YourSenators/Rep], we must invest in & #BuildLibraries now. Please include libraries in the budget reconciliation plan, an investment for all Americans.

July 14, 2021

Now is a critical time for us to come together to secure historical federal funding for libraries. We need your help in making this push!

Congress will soon prepare legislation to make massive investments in our nation's infrastructure and communities, and we must ensure that libraries are included in the package. The Build America's Libraries Act (S. 127 / H.R. 1581) includes $5 billion in funding for library construction and renovation. Even if you contacted Congress in support of this bill a few months ago (thank you!), we still need you to send another message now, as Congress is making final decisions about an infrastructure package.

Over 150 bipartisan Members of Congress are supporting the Build America's Libraries Act to upgrade our library facilities, including Mark Pocan and Tammy Baldwin! However, crucial negotiations are happening right now. We need to speak up to ensure that libraries aren't left out of the final infrastructure package.

Will you urge your legislators to include funding for library infrastructure today? You can take action now through a form letter ALA has put together: Take Action Now! OR you can call your legislators which will have much more of an impact! If you have time for a more personal communication, you’ll find information at the links below to facilitate a phone call.

Contact info for U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin

Contact info for U.S. Senator Ron Johnson

Contact info for U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany

Contact info for U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher

Contact info for U.S. Representative Scott Fitzgerald

Contact info for U.S. Representative Ron Kind

Contact info for U.S. Representative Mark Pocan

Contact info for U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman

Contact info for U.S. Representative Gwen Moore

Contact info for U.S. Representative Bryan Steil

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