MLA Opposes HB 4814

MLA is opposed to HB 4814 which has been introduced by Rep. Thomas Albert (R-Lowell). The legislation would limit millage proposals to the November ballot only. A similar bill was introduced last year and we successfully opposed the bill. We'll be talking with the bill sponsor to educate him about the impact this ill-conceived law could have on library millages.

IMLS, LSTA, IAL Funding Remain Constant for Now

The House Appropriations Committee has approved direct library funding language in the Labor-HHS spending bill identical to that included in last week's Subcommittee bill which makes no cuts in IMLS, LSTA or IAL funding relative to last year's levels. The Subcommittee and Committee both voted to provide IMLS with $231 million, LSTA with $183.6 million and IAL with $27 million in FY 2018. The House now appears unlikely to act on this funding bill before beginning its month-long August recess. The Senate will not vote on it at any level until the fall. Be sure to educate your congressional reps about library funding advocacy over the summer while members of Congress are back in their home states and districts.

ALA Advocacy Boot Camp Coming to Michigan in April

MLA and the Cooperative Directors Association are joining forces to bring the ALA Advocacy Bootcamp to Lansing, Michigan on Friday, April 20, 2018. Watch for registration to open in October.

The program will cover advocacy basics such as messaging, networking and community engagement. Intellectual Freedom basics will also be covered. Attendees will focus on working on an advocacy plan that they can implement in their libraries.

Training Goals:

• To empower librarians with skills to tell their library's story and secure funding for technology, e-books, and other resources

• To teach librarians and library advocates practical and powerful tips on how to be a respected, effective and supported voice in your community.

• To provide consistent messaging and an advocacy framework that can be used by libraries of all types throughout a given state, and ultimately, across the country.

• To provide a mechanism for mentoring new advocates and creating a succession plan for advocacy.

MLA Annual Conference Legislative Update

Plan to join our GCSI lobbyist Gary Owen on Wednesday, October 18 at 10:30 for an update on the latest legislation impacting libraries. Registration is open for the MLA Annual Conference being held at the Lansing Center. Register here.

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