CLA 2015 Day in the District :: February 1- 28

CLA 2015 Day in the District

February 1- 28

Latest News: 1.30.2015

It’s time for Day in the District (DID), which is a time to meet and build relationships with your legislators in their district offices, rather than at the busy State Capitol. 

DID is extremely important this year.  The Governor’s 2015-16 Budget slashed $4 million from public library programs, and DID provides us with an opportunity to restore these funds. Specifically, the Governor’s budget does the following:

•California Library Services Act:  Makes a $2 million reduction in this line-item. This leaves $1.88 million in the fund. 

•California Library Literacy Services:  Makes a $1 million reduction in this line-item. This leaves $2.8 million in the fund.

•CENIC “Hardship Grants:” Zeroes out the $1 million in “hardship grant” funding but leaves $2.25 million in place to fund the Governor’s broadband plan for libraries (e.g. connecting public libraries to the CENIC high-speed “backbone.”)

Please begin scheduling appointments with your Assembly Member(s) and Senator(s), with the goal of meeting with them before the end of February.

1: Visit the CLA 2014 Day in the District webpage, find a tool titled Find your Assembly Member or State Senator, which will help identify your local legislators.

2: At the CLA 2014 Day in the District webpage, there’s a Tip Sheet on how to schedule a meeting.  Additionally, the CLA Legislative Visit Worksheet can help you to organize your visits and track your results.  Your meeting(s) will only last about 20 – 30 minutes, so it’s essential that you plan in advance.

3: This Fact Sheet will help you make a case for restoring the dollars that were cut from public library programs in the Governor’s 2015-16 budget.  Additionally, check out these ideas from some of CLA’s premier advocates on what to discuss.  And don’t forget to take along a copy of CLA’s 2015 Legislative Priorities to leave behind with your legislators.

If you’ve never done this before, consider teaming with a more experienced colleague.  And if you are an experienced advocate, please include and mentor the next generation of library advocates!

4: Once you have met with your Assembly Member(s) and Senator(s), simply email the CLA Legislative Committee letting the Committee know with whom you met.  And please feel free to include any information about your meetings that you think is relevant – the CLA Legislative Visit Worksheet is a great tool to use to communicate back to CLA.