Council III

Council III
Tuesday July 1, 2014
7:45am Las Vegas, NV

Memorials and Tributes were given.

ALA Treasurer's Report - the budget presentation was provided.  Publishing and meetings/conferences are the biggest revenue sources.  Revenue from these places supports other ALA services.  FY2015 estimated revenue is $64,078,221.  This is the budgetary ceiling the Council approved.

Motion PASSED.

Report of the Tellers

• Committee on Committees - Elected Counselors are: Ann Credson, Karen Dowing , Jim Kuehne, Susan Gregory.
• Planning and Budget - Elected Counselors are:  Ismail Abdullahi, Matt Ciszek, Loida Garcia-Febo.  Stephanie Braunstein and Regina Greer Cooper.

Committee on Legislation

A new subcommittee has been created called Federal Legislature Advocacy Group.  They are looking for people who have a strong relationship with their legislators to serve on this subcommittee.

Resolved, that the American Library Association (ALA), on behalf of its members:

1.   supports and encourages a national preservation plan for Federal Depository Library Program materials;

2.   encourages policies that promote digitization with a reasonable number of dispersed preserved copies of print FDLP materials;

3.   supports technologies that guarantee long-term, robust, verifiable, complete, accurate, authentic, preservable, and usable digital formats;

4.   works with the Government Printing Office (GPO) and the FDL community on developing procedures to authenticate and ingest digital and digitized content intoFDsys from federal depository libraries and federal agencies; and

5.   supports the creation of a no-fee, searchable, online inventory of digital and digitized government materials with downloadable metadata.

Motion PASSED.

Resolved, that the American Library Association (ALA)

1.

1. affirms its support for network neutrality and open Internet policies that enable access in the library, through remote access to library resources, or by other means;

2.

2. calls on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to codify network neutrality principles following its  Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), Docket Number 14-28;  

3. encourages library supporters to become engaged in the FCC’s current Notice of a Proposed Rulemaking on network neutrality; and

4. urges library supporters to advocate for the development of enforceable policies, whether in legislative proposals or regulatory proceedings, that ensure that the Internet remains an open platform for activities such as information exchange, intellectual discourse, civic engagement, creativity, innovation, and learning.

Discussion: Should legislation be mentioned?

Motion PASSED.

Intellectual Freedom Committee

There are 14 changes to the interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights.

Discussion:  There is a statement about working with the rating system, it seems out-dated.  Discrimination - other groups need to be mentioned in future iterations of the interpretations.  Cataloging groups in RDA are recording rating systems.  Just because a field is there doesn't mean a library has to use it. We need to provide as much information as possible for parents.  Catalogers are taught to use information from the item in hand, and this is information.  Copy cataloging almost always includes this information.  Copy catalogers may be put in a position to delete this information.

A motion was made to refer the labeling and rating system back to committee and those interested bodies.

If this is not approved then the old version will be published in the Intellectual Freedom Handbook.  The IFC looked at this as best practices.  A future interpretation will address user generated comment - this area will have future work for all of these reasons.  There has been ample opportunity for comment prior to this meeting, there has been no comment until this meeting.  It is not true that input was not provided - input was provided.

The motion to refer the labeling system back to the committee FAILED.

IFC said the concern has been heard and will be addressed.

Motion to approve interpretations PASSED.

Ethics Committee - Brought forward an interpretation of Copyright.

Copyright: An Interpretation of the Code of Ethics

The Committee on Professional Ethics moves to adopt “Copyright: An Interpretation of the Code of Ethics”, CD #32.2

Motion PASSED.

International Relations Committee - report and action item.

Resolved that the Council of the American Library Association directs that ALA become a signatore to the Lyon Declaration on Access to Information and Development.  - This is an advocacy document calling on United Nations to ensure everyone has access to information.  This will be presented in France.  The resolution is in keeping with the Library Bill of Rights.

Discussion: Comments in support.

Motion PASSED.

Keith Michael Fiels - Final registration is 18,626.

Chapter Council Forum

Chapter Council Forum
Monday, June 30, 2014 4pm

July 15 is deadline for career counseling deadline for applicants.  Only 11 chapters have applied.  There are 25 spots.

Alaska - Labeling and Rating System Interpretation in the Bill of Rights - This issue will be coming before Council III tomorrow morning.  On one hand the interpretation is saying that you cannot expunge the rating system from the material, but you also cannot add this information to the catalog description.  The request is to take this one issue out of the interpretation and keep the rest of the interpretation in-tact.  The publication of the upcoming Intellectual Freedom Manual is one of the reasons that the committee is looking to pass the entire package now. RDA allows for a statement a bout the intended audience.  There is a lack of consistency about how this issue should be handled.  There was a discussion about Lexile scores, should that information be included in the catalog record?  Are Lexile scores a rating system?  There are questions about how we are using the rating system - not that there is a labeling system noted.  Does the library bill of rights represent the ideal or what is actually happening in libraries.

New York - National Literary Landmark Project - United for Libraries has a program called Literary Landmarks.  Children's Book Week - there is a plan to have 7 landmarks around the country for Children's Book Week - these are all around the country.  They are landmarks for children's authors.  They can be in any state.  Landmarks are a site with a connection with an author or a book or a group of authors.  There is information available on United for Libraries Website.

California - IFLA declaration before vote tomorrow - The report will come before Council III tomorrow.  Asking ALA to become signatories on the declaration of access to information.  This will be a resolution tomorrow.  IFLA will be in Columbus, OH in 2016.

New Mexico - Attracting millennials -

• Young members or new members round table - they are the cutting edge of conference with late night socials.  Librarian games.  Fun more than professional.  
• TLA has a new members roundtable.  New members are automatically enrolled.  The President sponsors new event for library students and newly hired people.  Pre, pre conference for new members.  They are told about the structure of the organization.  The officers come and talk to them about volunteering and getting involved.  Maureen Sullivan has spoken at this even with high level of attention.  
• Oklahoma - ambassadors are in larger libraries who contact new hires to introduce them to association.  "Each one reach one" - each person in the organization reaches out to one new person to ask them to join.  Sometimes the outreach person paid the new person membership.  Personal introduction is the best way.  
• Tennessee Library Association.  New member social on the first night of the conference.  This has had a good turnout.  Very specifically asked long-time members not to come - this is really for new new members.  Not an intimidating social.  Just the president of the organization came, but few other long-time members. 
• Another state looked at how the organization was organized.  Looked at new structure with interest groups.  Looked at individual libraries to get their specific people to join - who are their new movers and shakers.  These new people are bringing new ideas to conference and bring new things from social media.  In a small state like NM there are few people to donate time.  
• What value are associations bringing to professionals?  What is the value of the association beyond the tradition?  The social part is very important for all of us.  
• California struggling with membership.  Success has been through leadership development institute.  That group has cohorts that has taken ownership of programs.  
• Hawaii, look at library schools and online programs.  Discount for students.  Have cheep memberships for students and first year attendees.  Get their foot in the door.  Social media.  New members need to be empowered in the organization and do work for the organization and opportunities for leadership.  Encourage poster sessions to get them presenting at conference.  
• KY - Just ask them - just ask them to do leadership things - personal contact.  Recent graduate discounts are also important.  
• OK - How many have joint state and ALA membership for students?  There are associations that have joint membership for ALA and NMLA.  
• Make the projects small.  Part of the association without taking on something really heavy - project oriented.   

Attracting retired librarians - Ways to engage people after retirement.  New York - There is a retiree roundtable like ALA.  Travel is part of what this group is doing.  Literary destination travel for these members.  Alaska - Ask them to join and participate.  Have programming on retirement.

ALA  - Bring ALA specialists to conferences to present programs. They are good about and ALA pays for some travel.  The council rep makes the initial contact and then works with the conference committee to plan.  Michael Dowling has spoken at several conferences (including NMLA's last annual conference).  Barbara Stripling, ALA President has also done some speaking at chapter conferences.  New York has a standing invitation to the ALA President and the ALA President comes most years.  Immediate past-presidents are also good presenters for conferences.

Disconnect between states and ALA.  It is too expensive to send members to ALA meetings.  It is expensive for people to pay their own way.  Part of our role as a council member is to communicate about the value of ALA.  Act as a filter to ALA information - not too much - and the things that are most interesting.  Holding virtual meetings to save funding for members.  Go to "making the case" on the ALA website for attending conference.

Council II

Monday June 30, 2014
8:30am
Las Vegas, NV

Report from the ALA Policy Committee.  The policy manual can be found online here:
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/policymanual/

Improving member access to ALA governing unit information is the item brought before the Council at this meeting.  The policy change is:

A.4.3.16.1 Minutes of Meetings of Governing Units

The governing bodies of ALA Divisions and Round Tables shall make available drafts of their meeting minutes or other reports of actions taken, via the unit’s ALA-hosted web page within 30 days of the meeting.  The final versions of meeting minutes or other reports of actions taken shall be made available via the unit’s ALA-hosted web page within 30 days of their approval.  There shall be an easily available historical record of these meetings and action reports.  Sub-units of the Divisions and sub-units of RoundTables shall be exempt from this policy.

Discussion: The policy is written so that items can be posted to ALA Connect or the roundtable's website.  There was an acknowledgement that there is work ahead because ideally documents will be placed all in one place in the future.  This issue will continue to be discussed over the next year.  This vote was only for the placement of the policy in the manual - not for language smithing or concept changing.  The change to the manual PASSED.

Recognition of retiring counselors and executive board members.

Committee on Organization-

ACTION item #1:​Resolved, that Council approves as policy the following provision:

Each chair of an ALA Committee or a Council Committee is responsible for submitting to the ALA Executive Director at least two times each year a substantive report on the committee’s work and accomplishments so that these reports can be made available to all interested ALA members.  Such reports may address, but not be limited to, matters such as accomplishments,planned activities, issues that affect the committee’s work and their implications for the future, interactions with other units within ALA, relationship of the committee’s work to the ALA strategic plan, a current level of committee members’ involvement (more substantive than an attendance roll), committee self-check on its value and viability (update charge, discontinue committee, consolidate with another, change structure, other observations).

Discussion: This includes reports made to Council at Annual and Midwinter.  What is the penalty for non-reporting committees?  The committee chair just needs to send an email to the governance committee showing where the report is located.  Is this policy or procedure?

Motion PASSED.

ACTION item #2:​Resolved, that Council approves the following revision to ALA policy A.4.3.12:

A Membership Initiative Groups (MIG) is formed when a group of ALA members identifies a common concern or interest about librarianship which falls outside the delegated responsibility of a single division, roundtable, or unit, and wishes to establish a short-term, renewable mechanism to address this concern or interest. To establish a MIG, which must be approved by COO and reported to Council, a group must submit to the Committee on Organization a statement of purpose, at least one hundred signatures of ALA members in good standing, and the names and addresses of designated organizers.  Once established, a MIG may operate for three years at which point it may re-petition for another three- year term or may request another place within the ALA structure by following the procedures for establishing that type of group, or may request the ALA COO to disband it.  The re-petitioning process can be renewed every three years.  If the re-petition process is not carried out when due, the MIG will be disbanded.

Discussion:  Allows groups to continue existing beyond 6 years.  MIGs can be renewed every 3 years indefinitely.

Motion PASSED.

Freedom To Read Foundation Report
Highlighted:  Susan B. Anthony List v. Driehaus, Krug Grant to support library school students, join the Freedom to Read Foundation.

Resolution- Resolved, that the American Library Association urges Congress to grant the District of Columbia budget autonomy in order to prevent the unnecessary closing of city government facilities, including public libraries,in the event of a federal government shutdown.

Discussion: Who is the resolution meant for?  It if for Congress.  Many speakers in support of resolution.

Resolution PASSED.

Announcements:
18396 Attendees - a little fewer than Chicago, but is more than the 2012 Anaheim conference.

Council I

ALA Annual Conference

Sunday June 29, 2014

8:30am

Las Vegas, NV

Opening presentation from FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler about changes that will occur in the eRate program over the next several years that will make it easier for libraries to get eRate funding.  It will make it easier for libraries to connect with schools and easier for consortia to apply for funding.  FCC wants to provide a reliable source of funding and give libraries the ability to plan.

Council updated language for the guidelines for using the Council listserv.

A resolution was presented to restore funding to Air Force Base and Command Libraries to FY 2011 levels for staffing, materials, services, and programs.  Align library funding with appropriated funds rather than through base operation, where library funding is vulnerable to additional local cuts.  Discussion points:  are Base libraries needed, do they take funding from public libraries? Base libraries are special libraries.  People spoke about their use of Base libraries and their unique importance.  Air Force libraries are in particular danger right now - other branches of the military do not have this same issue.

Announcements

Michael Feils.  12,641 advanced registration.  18,185 total registration which is down a bit from Chicago Annual Conference.

Council III

Council III
Tuesday January 28, 2014
9:30am

Meeting documents are available here:
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/council-documents-midwinter-2014

The following people were elected to the ALA Executive Board

Peter Hepburn
Gina Persichini
Gail Schlacter
Mike Marlin

Intellectual Freedom Report
Working on a 9th edition of the he Intellectual Freedom Manual
Whistleblower resolution
Passed.

Committee on Legislation

Resolution Curbing Government Surveillance and Restoring Civil Liberties
Passed.

Resolution: Government websites will remain up during a government shutdown
-Questions about - will these government workers be expected to work for free?  Who is and who is not paid? Who is and who is not essential personnel?
-Recognition that government documents are essential.
From the Committee on Legislation: The concern was government information was not available during the shutdown.  Some information is so essential that there needs to be a plan so this never happens again. No one could tell what was up and what was down and what resources were still being updated.
The word "paid" was added to the first section of the resolution
The resolution passed as amended.

This is the 40th anniversary of National Library Legislation Day.  There are usually about 400 people who come to support the day.  Legislative Day is May 5-6, 2014

Question about why it is too soon to be taking action on net neutrality.  There isn't enough understanding about the action.  It will be a point of discussion at Annual.  It has been discussed a lot at Midwinter, but the decision was made not to bring forward a resolution.

ALA Awards
New award:  Establish the Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity
Passed.

ALA Executive Director Report
Attendance at Midwinter
8407 - registered
3800 - exhibitors
12,207 - total attendees

Chapter Councilors Forum

Monday January 27, 2014
4pm
Philadelphia, PA

Midwinter
-With virtual conferences, should Midwinter continue? Can it be reduced? If Midwinter was reduced and always held in Chicago would that help revenue?
-Most organizations have council meetings twice a year, not conferences
-Midwinter is a revenue stream for ALA
-If Midwinter starts to include lots of programs, it will hurt local programming for state organizations.
-There are programs happening at Midwinter that are "hidden" behind the title of "discussion group."
-Can Council I and II be combine into one day so the Council meeting time can be shortened.  People are in favor of changing/moving the Tuesday morning meeting.
-At Annual can someone from ALA come and speak to the group about the pros and cons of having Midwinter.

Snowden Resolution
There was continued discussion about the Snowden vote.  Only one state council rep at this meeting voted in favor of the resolution.

Readers Advisory
They are starting a Readers Advisory Roundtable in Iowa and they are interested in finding similar roundtables in other states.  Texas has a roundtable.  Other places have interest groups and others are interested in learning more about these organizations.

Chapter Relations office is available to support Chapter Councilors and is the place to go for information for state chapters.

Representation on Taskforces
Chapter Councilors are asked to think about volunteering on other taskforces and committees.  Announcements are made in August about committee needs.  Announcements will be made on the Council listserv.  Recommended to put Councilor as a primary involvement in ALA.  They are looking for diversity.  Fill form out in August and will learn about committee appointments in late spring.

Tangable Benefits of Belonging to Chapters
Washington is looking at benefits to give people who join as members.
Discussion: Member rates to attend neighboring conferences in other states, liability insurance for individual members, instutions can file POs for conference registration, special legal advice especially in the area of copyright (Texas), patrons can pay their fines with a credit card - using the library association credit card account, health insurance available for people working in small libraries, purchased organizational copy of salary survey and shared it only with members (verified this was ok with ALA), joblist that costs $40 to post but it is free for institutional members, peer review journal available to members, corporate members have presence on the website -- 2 week advance notice on booking for conferences, trip sponsored by association and association profits for each person who takes the trip, text-to-contribute (Texas).

Declaration for Libraries
Campaign for current ALA President Barbara Stripling
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/declaration-right-libraries
-Washington DC representative talked about initiatives they have going on in February to support the Declaration project.
-Maryland - adults and children signing Declaration.
-Use an already established event.  Library association meeting with a signing area.

RFP Resolution Presented
Adding something to the RFP that requires cities to state the role of libraries in their cities (public and school).

Role of Councilors
In general it is expected that the Councilor will go to ALA and vote for the association based on the discussion - but asking for association input is rare.
Educating membership about things that are happening at ALA
What do you report back to the chapter?
Forward grant opportunities, hot issues, issues to discuss, awareness is a big part of the process of reporting.

Chapter Relations Committee II

Monday January 27, 2014
1pm
Philadelphia, PA

Chapter Relations Committee II

Doug Evans - Ohio Library Council Executive Director Report
Ohio went to Congress to see what they were interested in doing in regard to library access to eBooks. Libraries have hired a lobbyist that is funded by several organizations including the metropolitan libraries in Ohio.  They are planning a public hearing this spring.  Looking at creating legislation that would create tax incentives for publishers that provide digital content to public libraries.  Starting a public relations campaign. Asking for library chapters around the US to have state resolutions similar to the Ohio resolution that calls for affordable access to digital content.

James G Neal - Executive Report Liaison Report
ALA is going to have these priority areas in the long range planning process:

• Advocacy
• Policy
• Professional Leadership

Liaison Reports

Freedom to Read Foundation Report
Membership is up from last year, but not as high as the numbers were in 2013.

Legislation Assembly Report
Working on resolutions including:
Resolution to support strengthen whistleblowers
Resolution to keep government websites up even if the government shuts down

RUSA Report
Beginning an ambassador program.  Contact RUSA if this is of interest.
Online courses and webinars are being offered to anyone interested (not just RUSA or ALA members)
Developing best practices for financial literacy.  Guidelines will be available by the end of the year.

LITA Report
Goal of collaborating funds and people to improve technology
LITA has a lot of free resources on the website

ALA In-Coming President Program - Courtney Young initiative
-Career development is one of the items she is interested in addressing.  Librarian Career Facilitator Development Program
-ALA will work with chapters to fund up to 25 librarians to become career development certified librarians.  The people going through this training will be ambassadors to the chapters and regions  Program will be a 2-day workshop at next Midwinter and will continue through annual conference 2015.
-Career Development Facilitators, don't have masters degrees in counselng, but have experience working in libraries and assisting people looking for positions.  Assist in the field and assist in the placement center at ALA.
-After the Midwinter conference is over participants will be in a 12 week course in Moodle to learn about career planning, ethics, etc.  12 competencies students will learn.
-Goal is for people to have a career designation.
-Will be to help colleagues locate jobs as well.
-Asking chapters to support the program and recommend participants.
-The selection process will happen after July 1.  Training will happen the Thursday-Friday before Midwinter.  It will be hosted at the ALA Headquarters in Chicago.  The desire is to have this culminate at Annual Conference in San Francisco.
-The recommendation is that the Chapters select the person from their area to send forward.
-ALA is paying $950 per person for the training and 1 year membership in career counseling professional organization - and that is all - travel is not included.  Most of the training is virtual.
-Stay tuned for more information.

Washington Library Association
-Interested in knowing what tangiable membership incentives other associations provide for their members.
-Reduced prices for registration at conferences
-Asked to put the question on the list

Council II

ALA Council II
Monday January 27, 2014
10am
Philadelphia, PA

Documents for the meeting are available here:

http://www.ala.org/aboutala/council-documents-midwinter-2014

Programmatic Priorities for 2014
- for budget and planning
Passed. CD #13

Policy Monitoring Committee
-A resolution refraining from public prayer at ALA meetings.  Moments of silence may be observed.
Passed.

Freedom to Read Foundation Report
-Work done since 2012 in relation to the Tucson school district prohibiting Mexican-American Studies Program.  Many organizations joined in supporting the amicus brief including ALA.
-Encouraged to join the Freedom to Read Foundation.

Resolution to Improve Membership Access to ALA Unit
-Drafts of meeting minutes on ALA hosted web page within 30 days of meeting
-Final versions of meeting minutes on ALA hosted web page within 30 days of approval
-Require governing bodies to maintain easily-available historical records.
-Exempt sub-units of the divisions and sub-units of round tables from the policy.
Passed.

Resolution on Whistleblower Edward Snowden
-That he is a whistleblower who has performed a valuable service in launching a dialogue about transparency, government  surveillance, and overclassification.
-Discussion:
     -Supporting the issue, but not to include Snowden's name, but to support the actions and issues related to what he did.  The story is not over and there may be unintended consequences of supporting Snowden as an individual. Desire to support whistleblowers and revelations.
     -A call for focusing on issues more directly related to librarians and libraries.
     -ALA needs to support reform in surveillance and national security.
     -ALA has supported whistleblowers by name in the past
     -This is a  divisive issue and could be damaging to small rural and/or conservative community libraries.
Failed.

Reslution to Allow Programs at ALA Midwinter Meetings
-ALA should change policy to allow continuing education programs in the fields of library service.
-Vote to refered to BARC for budget impact consideration
Passed

Moved to closed session 11:25

Announcement:  Total registered for this conference (including vendors) 12,189.

APA Meeting

ALA-APA (Allied Professional Association) Council

Sunday January 26, 2014

10am

Philadelphia, PA

APA documents for the meeting can be found at the bottom of this page:

http://www.ala.org/aboutala/council-documents-midwinter-2014

Treasurer Report

-Revenues are down from 2012 in 2013.  

-Over $100K has been paid back to ALA for the creation of APA. About $170K in the loan remains.

There was discussion about how APA can be put more directly under ALA.

Certification Program - CPLA (Certified Public Library Administrator)

There have been 240 enrolled since the program began.  112 are currently taking certification courses.  There are 75 graduates from the certification program.

Certification Program - LSSC (Library Support Staff Certification)

448 enrolled.  373 active candidates.  75 certified library support staff.

There is a call for state organizations to recognize the APA certifications as the state certification, so that people can have certification and move from state-to-state with recognized certification.  APA is in a position to be a record-keeping organization for certification.

Council I

ALA Midwinter

Sunday January 26, 2014

8:30am

Philadelphia, PA

Documents for the meeting are available here:

http://www.ala.org/aboutala/council-documents-midwinter-2014

Executive Board Report

-ALA's budget has stabilized.  ALA management salaries had been reduced by 10% to meet budget shortfalls.  They have now been returned to former levels.  ALA staff will receive a 2% COLA this year.

Digital Content and Libraries Working Group

-All 5 big publishers are now selling digital content to libraries. Pricing is still a concern.

Resolution on Electronic Communications for ALA Council - ALA CD #34

-Resolution is to form a task force about ALA Council documents, how and where should they ideally be provided to Council members.

-Resolution Passes

Resolution to Improve Member Access to ALA Unit Governing Information

-Resolution concerns connecting ALA Divisions and Round Tables meeting minutes via the ALA website and be available to the average ALA member.

-Postponed to Council II

ALA Midwinter Midwinter Stats

8091 people have registered as of Sunday morning

3000 exhibitors

Chapter Relations Committee I

Saturday January 25, 2014
Philadelphia, PA

Washington DC office will be building capacity over the next 3 years.  The first piece will be an environmental scan.  Chapters may be able to participate in this part of the project in the late spring.  There will likely be more ways.

Suggestion that each chapter do an annual report.

Librarians Build Communities http://www.librariansbuildcommunities.com - Report on this organization transitioning from Libraries Build Communities to LibrariANS build Communities.  It is a fundraising opportunity for chapters to help support local communities.  Examples are painting projects, building projects, fundraising, and food donations.  You build your community through volunteer work.  You can do a small project.  It is an all year long possibility for helping a community. This could provide an opportunity to engage a different part of the chapter membership.

ALA has a new membership brochure.  20 reasons you should join ALA.

ALA has received a Gates grant to assist libraries in connecting with communities.

ALA will begin a new strategic planning process and will be using the methods learned by the Gates grant to connect with library communities.  Focus groups will be used to broaden participation beyond surveys.

After a couple years of being impacted by the recession, ALA's budget is stabilizing.

American Alliance of Museums has a center on the future of museums.  It has been a successful center - looking at trends in the next decade.  The center brings this information together and shares it with the museum community.  They have worked to include training and tools for museums to help them think about the future and developing long range plans.  ALA has received a grant from IMLS to support a center for libraries.  A summit will be held on legislative day.  The summit will include people from library settings and non-library settings.  The discussion will be about the trends that may be coming in the library profession.  This will serve a broad set of interests in all libraries.  More information coming in February and March.

Washington Office information - promoting Mobil Commons.  Allows ALA to send messages to members about action items that need support and will allow members to have an immediate calling option to your legislators.  To join text the word "library" to:  877877.  Expect to receive 2-3 messages a month.

Network neutrality is a current issue.  Up to this point everyone has had equal access.  Court decision was made that Verizon could charge more for high speed access/services.  FCC could choose to appeal the decision.  ALA doesn't know what the next steps are but the WA Office is watching this very closely.

There has been a little increase in LSTA funding.  $4M has been added back into state funding.  Tribal library funding was also increased by a small amount.  

May 5-6 will be National Library Legislative Day in Washingon.  ALA has been advised that we need to increase our advocacy in order to get federal library funding.  Other organizations are "louder" and libraries aren't being funded at the level of some of these other organizations.

The office will be contact chapters directly about pinpointing and speaking to specific senators and/or representatives on specific issues.  They are interested in pinpointing with a custom message - and willing to take the time to figure out the right person and the right message that state representatives can deliver.