California Library Association — 2022 Legislative Priorities

CLA 2022 Legislative Priorities

CLA News: 3.23.2022

The California Library Association — through its members and advocates — works to make a difference for all Californians by providing adequately funded libraries, which transform lives through their programs and services.

At the state level, CLA actively advocates for the following:

New and Ongoing Funding Requests

➤ $1.4 million to reach $5,000,000 in ongoing funding for the California Library Services Act (CLSA) that fosters resource sharing among libraries, particularly in rural areas where funding challenges persist.

➤ $450,000 to reach $1,250,000 in ongoing funding for Lunch at the Library to provide literacy-rich programs to blunt the impact of the summer slide for children who receive 300,000+ free and nutritious lunches at hundreds of libraries across the state.

➤ $785,000 for JobNow, VetNow, and LearnNow, to support economic recovery and education for vulnerable populations.

➤ Maintain ongoing funding to support the diverse informational needs of people in rural and underserved populations who cannot get to a physical library through Zip Books.

➤ $4 million dollars in funding to support Ebooks for All aimed at increasing access to digital content for early learners and school-aged children throughout California.

Equitable Access to Critical Library and Information Services

◉  Broadband equity for unserved and underserved communities.

◉ Support the freedom to read and access to material with diverse points of view.

◉ Accessible buildings, including upgrades to critical infrastructure and support in times of disaster such as wildfires and extreme heat.

◉ Early literacy, school readiness, adult literacy, career development, vocational support, and assistance to vulnerable populations.

◉ Mandate credentialed Teacher Librarians in all California Public Schools.

◉ Support for libraries to purchase eBooks and e-audiobooks at the same price as consumers.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 14

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old

(college level)

 

Altadena Library Official Honored by California Library Association ▬ Pasadena Now

Altadena Library Official Honored by California Library Association

@AltadenaLibrary

Pasadena Now: 5.13.2021 by Brian Day

An Altadena Library District trustee has been awarded the California Library Association’s President’s Award for her contributions to libraries and literacy, the library announced Thursday.

Katie Clark, who serves as president of the Board of Trustees, has been named the recipient of the honor, the Altadena Library District said in a written statement.

“[She] is a central leader in the community of Altadena whose vision and tireless commitment to libraries have created a legacy of long-term, positive impact that will provide critical library services for Altadena for decades to come,” the statement said.

The CLA President’s Award recognizes “outstanding contributions, leadership, and achievement in support of California libraries by a Trustee, Friend, Elected Official, or other layperson who has given his or her time and talents to further the advancements of California libraries,” the statement added.  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 17

Reading Level: very difficult to read.

Reader's Age: College graduate

Time To Invest In Our Libraries ▬ Cal Matters

Time To Invest In Our Libraries

Cal Matters: 4.07.2021 by Greg Lucas and Patty Wong

California’s libraries are the hearts of their communities. That’s one reason 23 million Californians have library cards.

#BuildLibraries

But many of California’s libraries are 40 years of age or older, and like everything from power grids to two-lane highways, libraries eventually need to be repaired, renovated or replaced. Old wiring. Lousy plumbing. Non-existent or antiquated fire alarm or sprinkler systems. Restrooms that don’t work for Americans with disabilities. Despite the great love Californians have for our libraries, these conditions exist in far more communities than they should. 

The federal government hasn’t helped modernize and revitalize libraries since 1997, but that could change if the Build America’s Libraries Act – H.R.1581 and S.127 – is passed. The legislation would dedicate $5 billion to libraries nationwide, of which roughly $500 million would come to California. 

By any measure, this investment is long overdue and National Library Week, which began April 4, is an ideal time to consider how we can strengthen the resilience of California’s communities with a forward-looking approach to meet the challenges and needs of this century.

Our libraries are an essential part of California’s education system. In any given week, there are more than 100,000 different programs conducted in multiple languages, in-person and online, at more than 1,100 public library locations. The 23,000 computer terminals, coupled with the WiFi hotspots and laptops that can be checked out like books, help connect California’s least digitally connected.

But over half the state’s libraries have inadequate technology, broadband connectivity and ADA inaccessibility. Nearly one-third report health and safety deficiencies.  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 10

Reading Level: difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old

(Ninth to Tenth graders)

 

Greg Lucas, California’s 25th State Librarian

Patty Wong, American Library Association’s president-elect and city librarian for Santa Monica Public Library

Join VALUEUSA's Board ▬ Leadership Opportunity For Adult Learners & Practitioners

New Leadership Opportunity For Adult Learners & Practitioners !

VALUEUSA: 2021

Are you an adult learner who wants to learn leadership skills?

Are you a tutor or community member who believes in VALUE USA’s mission?

VALUEUSA wants current or former adult learners and tutors to join its team.

Click Here to Apply for the Board

Click Here to Apply for Committee

 

DEADLINE TO APPLY: MARCH 30, 2021

 

BENEFITS

Join Board or committees:

➤ to help low literate adults change their lives and communities

➤ to learn skills to use at work, at home, and in life

➤ to improve adult education and help adult learners reach their goals

WHO CAN APPLY ?

For the Board of Directors:

➤ Current or former students in adult basic education or English literacy classes

For committees:

➤ Teachers, tutors, administrators, staff, and others in the field

➤ Community members who care about VALUE USA’s mission

➤ Anyone willing to share their skills and talents

VALUE USA is the only national organization run by current and former adult learners.

WHAT SKILLS ARE NEEDED TO DO THE JOB WELL ?

Understanding the needs of adult learners:

➤ why’s and how’s of adult learner leadership

➤ why is it important

➤ how leadership can be improved for U.S. adult learners?

Understanding the adult education field:

➤ who it helps

➤ how it is structured and supported

➤ gaps in the system

Special skills or talents in one or more area

READ MORE ➤➤

 

Automatic Readability Checker

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 11

Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.

Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old

(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

Help National Literacy Directory Celebrate 10 Years ▬ NCFL

Help Our National Literacy Directory Celebrate 10 Years

stories@nld.org

Share a short video about your adult education experience

NCFL: 7.31.2020

Where have hundreds of thousands of students and volunteers looked to find literacy and community education programs since 2010? The National Literacy Directory (NLD) at nld.org !

We’re celebrating 10 years of being the go-to online portal for finding classes across the U.S in early childhood, family literacy, adult basic education, English language learning, and citizenship.

Help us celebrate this milestone!

1. Share this page with your network

2. Send us a video about your education experience for a chance to be featured as part of the 10-year milestone. All submissions will be entered to win an iPad!

Have you participated in classes to further your education?

Send us a video sharing how those classes have impacted your life and your family. 

Have you volunteered to help others in literacy or community education programs?

Send us a video sharing what you have learned from your experience or how this experience has enriched your life. 

Have you used the NLD to advertise your program’s services?

Send us a video describing how the NLD has helped connect you to your community.

Creating your video is a snap! 

A cell phone will do the trick and 30-60 seconds is all you need. Just be sure to hold the phone horizontally (landscape mode) and face a good lighting source like a window, lamp, or outside. Look straight at the camera (not down).

All submissions are due by Aug. 31, 2020. Just email your video to stories@nld.org to enter!  READ MORE ➤➤

Automatic Readability Checker

Readability Consensus

Based on 7 readability formulas:

Grade Level: 7

Reading Level: standard / average.

Reader's Age: 11-13 yrs. old

(Sixth and Seventh graders)

August Is for Advocacy :: Invite Elected Leaders Into Your Library via American Libraries

August Is for Advocacy

Summer is a critical time to invite elected leaders into your library

American Libraries: 7.24.2019 by Emily Wagner

Here’s the truth about the dog days of summer: August is prime time for advocacy. With members of Congress on recess, it is the perfect time to invite legislators to visit your library and let them see for themselves all the ways libraries bring value to their communities.

#ALAadvocacy

═════════►

Inviting your elected leaders—at the state, local, or national level—is not difficult. Here are a few steps to get started:

➧ Call your congressional member’s district office. Ask who handles meeting requests for their district and how they prefer to receive them.

➧ Write your request and tailor it to your elected leader, paying special attention to library services that intersect with their interests. For example, if your US representative is on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, invite them to visit programs that serve the needs of veterans in your community.

➧ If your member of Congress is not available, invite a staffer to visit your library. Often they will enjoy the tour so much they will want their boss to see it.

➧ Once the meeting is set up, put together supporting materials for the visit. The American Library Association’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office can coordinate with you to make sure you have the resources you need.

➧ When you conduct the tour, remember that your elected officials want to hear from you—your feedback is critical to their work. There is no need to feel intimidated.

➧ The visit is a wonderful photo opportunity for them. Be sure to ask ahead of time if they would like to take a picture or video inside the facility. Remember to ask permission to use images on your social media platforms (most officials will appreciate the visibility).

There are several steps you can take afterward that will multiply the impact of your decision maker’s visit, including:

➤ Follow up with the staffer to say thank you and ensure all their questions are answered.

➤ Promote your library’s value by highlighting the leader’s visit on social media.

➤ Write a letter to the editor expressing gratitude for the official’s visit and urging support for your library.

ALA is eager to learn about your congressional visits. Share your library tour using the hashtag #ALAadvocacy so that ALA can amplify your work and inspire others to host elected leaders.  READ MORE >>

RESOURCES

Advocacy 101 Video: Getting Your Library Story in your Local News

Using Social Media

Build Relationships with Elected Officials

Find Your Elected Official     

Become an Advocate  

Talking Points & Tools

Quotable Facts about America’s Libraries

Library Value Calculator

How valuable is your local library?

Use this handy Library Value Calculator, created by the Massachusetts Library Association.

2019 One-Pagers

One Pager: Libraries and Your Community

Leave-Behind: Federal Funding for Libraries

Talking Points: Federal Funding for Libraries

Vote for Your Favorite Adult Literacy Program :: ProLiteracy

VOTE

ProLiteracy Launches Global Literacy Hero Contest to Raise Awareness of Adult Literacy

ProLiteracy: 10.24.2018

In an effort to help the 36 million low-literate adults in the U.S., ProLiteracy, the leader in adult literacy content development, programs, and advocacy for more than 60 years, is pleased to announce the launch of the ProLiteracy Hero Contest. ProLiteracy launched the contest to raise awareness of the adult literacy crisis, and to recognize the adult education and literacy heroes worldwide!

A panel of ProLiteracy judges chose the top 10 national finalists from hundreds of stories and submissions that were sent in from around the world. The video and story submissions are posted to the ProLiteracy website and have been opened up to a public vote at www.proliteracy.org. Each week, the finalists will be narrowed down until the first-, second-, and third-place winners are selected on November 16.

“The local literacy organizations are the heroes who make adult learners’ dreams come true,” said Kevin Morgan, President and CEO of ProLiteracy. “Choosing the top ten finalists out of so many worthwhile organizations was very difficult. They all deserve to be recognized.”

2 of The top ten adult literacy organization finalists are from California:

LearningQuest – Stanislaus Literacy Centers in Modesto, California

Vision Literacy in Santa Clara County, CA

Redlands Library :: Adult Literacy Day in the City of Redlands

Adult Literacy Day in the City of Redlands

A.K. Smiley Public Library: 9.04.2018

Tutor Orientation :: September 11 :: 6:00 pm

By order of the City Council, September 8, 2018, has been declared Adult Literacy Day in the City of Redlands.

Accepting the proclamation at the September 4, 2018, City Council Meeting from Mayor Paul Foster are Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator, and Don McCue, Director, A.K. Smiley Public Library with learner Crystal Moreno and her father, Sergio Moreno. Crystal is a learner who graduated from San Bernardino Valley College this past spring. She is attending Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB) and plans to become a math teacher for special needs children.  WATCH

CLA 2017 Day In The District :: SCA 3-Dodd :: State Budget

CLA 2017 Day in the District

CLA: March 2017

What is “Day in the District?”

“Day in the District” is an effective way to build relationships with your legislator(s) by concentrating your time with the legislator in his or her district office, rather than at the busy State Capitol. Developing relationships with new legislators and bolstering your relationship with continuing legislators is incredibly important for the success of CLA’s advocacy platform.

Library directors, staff, Friends groups and trustees, literacy advocates, and other supporters are encouraged to schedule appointments with their legislators during the month of March.

Advocacy Issue: SCA 3-Dodd (library construction bonds – 55% vote approval)

Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) has introduced SCA 3, which seeks to lower the local voter threshold for library construction bonds from the current two-thirds vote to a 55% vote. CLA is the official sponsor of SCA 3 and we will be actively working to secure passage of the legislation in the legislature.

Advocacy Issue: State Budget

The Governor’s 2017-18 State Budget does not include any new increases for library funding. Due to the Governor’s concerns over a future economic downturn, as well as the uncertainty surrounding federal Budget issues, the Governor released a prudent Budget in January, which “holds the line” on current library funding.

Due to term limits, many of the “library champions” for CLA have recently departed the legislature. CLA is looking for the next generation of “library champions” in the California State Senate and Assembly. Could your legislator be our next library leader?  

    

Materials

·  Tips for Lobbying Your Legislator

·  Key Committee Members

·  Sample Letter

·  Day in the District Ideas

·  SCA 3 Fact Sheet

·  CLA Legislative Visit Worksheet

·  California Public Libraries and CENIC

Helpful Links

·  Find your Assembly Member or State Senator

·  Locate and track bills in the California State Legislature

CLA Call to Action :: Phone Your Representatives Today :: President's Budget to Eliminate Federal Library Funding

FEDERAL BUDGET NEWS - YOUR ACTION REQUESTED TODAY!

CLA Latest News: March 2017

                         

Dear California Library Community:

If you have not yet seen the news this morning, the new Federal budget (among other things) eliminates the IMLS. 

ALA Press Release – President’s budget proposal to eliminate federal library funding 'counterproductive and short-sighted'

·  Budget from White House – America First

·  Details about the budget – What Trump cut in his budget

      Washington Post: 3.16.2017 by Kim Soffen and Denise Lu 

Read related:  Trump federal budget 2018: Massive cuts to the arts, science and the poor

Members of House Appropriations 

· Calvert, 42^nd District  (Corona/IE)

· Valadao, 21^st District (Hanford)

· Roybal-Allard, 40^th District (Commerce)

· Lee, 13^th District (East Bay)

· Aguilar, 31^st District (San Bernardino/IE)

·   Library Services & Technology Act Funding in California

·  2015-2016 LSTA Funds by District

Please get on the phone with your representatives today, this is urgent.

Helen McAlary,

President, California Library Association

CLA Advocacy Training with Patrick PC Sweeney

CLA Advocacy Training with Patrick PC Sweeney

CLA Advocacy & Legislation Committee & EveryLibrary

Register Today!

March 9, 2017: 9am – 12N

Millbrae Branch

1 Library Ave, Millbrae, CA 94030

March 10, 2017: 1pm – 4pm

North Natomas Library

Sacramento Public Library

4660 Via Ingoglia, Sacramento, CA 95835

March 13, 2017: 9am – 12N

San Diego Central Library

330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

California needs well-trained librarians to take action to support legislation at the state-level as well as state-wide bond initiatives. There is currently a Senate Constitutional Amendment being brought forward by Senator Bill Dodd to lower the threshold for Bond measures for libraries down to to 55 percent instead of the current required supermajority of 66 percent. This amendment has the potential to drastically improve the quality of library infrastructure in California if passed by legislators in Sacramento and then passed by the voters in 2018. 

Patrick “PC” Sweeney will be conducting a training from EveryLibrary, the National Political Action Committee for libraries, about best practices for visiting and building positive and proactive relationships with legislators and how to take action to support CLA's efforts to move SCA-3 through Sacramento. In this training librarians and library staff will also learn about SCA-3, CLA’s goals and commitment to supporting this initiative, as well as how they can help build local and statewide political support for a future state-wide ballot measure.

Register Today!

$25 - Members

$45 - Non-Members