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.