LIBRARY LEGISLATIVE DAY 2022

The annual Library Legislative Day took place Tuesday, February 8 2022. WLA members and guests representing over 70 Wisconsin libraries gathered at the Madison Concourse Hotel for a morning session featuring comments by Governor Tony Evers, Superintendent Jill Underly, and State Librarian Tessa Michaelson Schmidt. Each group had the chance to have a photo take with Governor Evers. Many thanks to our photographer, Steve Platteter with the Arrowhead Library System! (To save your library's photo with Governor Evers, click on the photo in the Library Legislative Day 2022 Photo Album from the WLA Facebook Page and drag and drop it to your desktop).)

State Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) and Representative Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton), both members of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance, were named Library Legislative Champions for their ongoing support for Wisconsin libraries, particularly throughout the 2021-2023 budget process. Thanks to their efforts, Wisconsin public libraries will benefit from an additional investment of $4 million state aid dollars for enhanced services in the areas of technology, workforce development and lifelong learning. A Special Recognition Award was presented to Senator Felzkowski’s legislative aide Stamena Ivanov.

Click here to view a recording of the morning session. Thank you to Mark Jochem and Vicki Teal Lovely from South Central Library System for making the recording possible!

Special thanks to the Library Legislative Day committee: Bruce Gay, Waukesha Public Library; Peter Loeffel, Wauwautosa Public Library; Nick Dimassis, Beloit Public Library; Jim Ramsey, Stoughton Public Library; Kris Adams Wendt, Wisconsin Valley Library Service; Nyama Reed, Whitefish Bay Public Library; Sherry Machones, Northern Waters Library Service; Steve Conway, Conway Consulting; and Hannah Bunting, WLA.