Register for National Library Legislative Day

Registration for the 2012 National Library Legislative Day (NLLD) is now open! To get started simply click here. On that page, you will also find information about making a hotel reservation at the official NLLD hotel. This year’s event will be held at the Liaison Hotel in Washington DC on April 23 and 24.

For 38 years, there has been an annual National Library Legislative Day in the nation’s capital. Each year, over 400 library supporters travel to DC where they receive training and briefings to prepare for meetings with their members of Congress. Many continue their advocacy activities when they return back home by building on the relationships they established at NLLD.

There is a funding opportunity available for NLLD. The White House Conference on Library and Information Services Taskforce (WHCLIST) and the ALA Washington Office are calling for nominations for the WHCLIST Award. Each year, the award is granted to a non-librarian participant in National Library Legislative Day (NLLD). The winner receives a stipend of $300 and two free nights at the NLLD hotel. Click here to apply.

WLA's state coordinator, Julie Schneider, arranges the meetings with legislators, communicates with the ALA Washington Office and serves as the contact person for each state delegation. To reach Julie, call (608) 263-5755 or email jschneider@library.wisc.edu.

Only 46 Days Left Until National Library Legislative Day!!!

The 2011 National Library Legislative Day is quickly approaching and will be held on Monday, May 9, and Tuesday, May 10, at the Liaison Hotel in Washington, D.C. Many changes in Congress now contribute to a new political climate in both the House and the Senate. New members need to hear from you and other constituents. We hope to have a good showing of Wisconsin librarians in legislators offices.

Be sure to register early – the American Library Association has reserved a block of rooms at the hotel, but many of you know that they always go quickly and you’ll want to be at the center of the action!

The American Library Association, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies and the District of Columbia Library Association sponsor National Library Legislative Day. We look forward to seeing you soon!

The registration fee is $20 and includes breakfast and an afternoon snack. Register online for NLLD now or download this form (pdf), complete and mail it to your state coordinator. Having trouble with registration? Take a look at our step-by-step instructions (pdf).

The American Library Association has a block reserved at the Liaison Hotel, and the block is listed under American Library Association 2011. You may also make reservations by calling 1-866-AFFINIA or clicking here.

If you have questions, please email Julie Schneider (jschneider@library.wisc.edu) or Rhonda Puntney (rpuntney@lakeshores.lib.wi.us).

Natl Library Legislative Day Stipend to be Awarded

The White House Conference on Library and Information Services Taskforce (WHCLIST) and the ALA Washington Office are calling for nominations for the 2011 WHCLIST Award. Each year, the award is granted to a non-librarian participant in National Library Legislative Day (NLLD). The winner receives a stipend of $300 and two free nights at the NLLD hotel). This year, NLLD will be held on May 9 and 10 in Washington, D.C.

WHCLIST has been an effective force in library advocacy nationally, statewide and locally since the White House Conferences on Library and Information Services in 1979 and 1991. WHCLIST has provided its assets to the ALA Washington Office to transmit its spirit of dedicated, passionate library support to a new generation of advocates. Both ALA and WHCLIST are committed to ensuring the American people get the best library services possible.

The criteria for the WHCLIST Award are:

• The recipient should be a library supporter (trustee, friend, general supporter) and not a professional librarian.
• Recipient should be a first-time attendee of NLLD.

Representatives of WHCLIST and the ALA Washington office will choose the recipient. The ALA Washington Office will contact the recipient’s senators and representatives to announce the award. The winner of the WHCLIST Award will be announced at NLLD.

Application materials are due April 1, 2011.

To apply for the WHCLIST award, please submit a completed NLLD registration form; a letter explaining why you should receive the award; and a letter of reference from a library director, school librarian, library board chair, Friend’s group chair, or other library representative to:

Kristin Murphy

Government Relations Specialist

American Library Association

1615 New Hampshire Ave., NW

First Floor

Washington, DC 20009

202-628-8419 (fax)

kmurphy@alawash.org

Note: Applicants must register for NLLD and pay all associated costs. Applicants must make their own travel arrangements. The winner will be reimbursed for two free nights in the NLLD hotel in D.C and receive the $300 stipend to defray the costs of attending the event. The winner will be notified by April 7, 2011.