
Archive for the 'State (MD)' Category

Update on Advocacy Alert to Reposition the State Library Agency and Strengthen Maryland Public Libraries

Good news! The bills passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate in time for the cross-over to the other house. This is a very good sign! 

Even once the bills are finalized and passed, the changes will not be immediate. There will be a transition period. More information will be shared as it become available.

A big thank you to everyone who contacted their elected officials! I encourage you to contact them again to say thank you for their support. You can use Engage to send a simple email.

 

 

Advocacy Alert! Reposition the State Library Agency and Strengthen Maryland Public Libraries!

Your advocacy is needed to build support for SB0587 and HB1094!

Maryland Advisory Council and Maryland Association of Public Library Administrators are sponsoring a bill to reposition the administrative structure of the State Library Agency (DLDS) within the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.  This bill is the result of more than 10 years of careful consideration, conversations, and debate among public libraries and library support groups.

If passed, the bill, SB0587 with cross-file HB1094, will allow the State Library Agency to have a more articulated vision and the flexibility to meet the needs of public libraries and the communities they serve. Talking Points are available to give more details and background information.

Your advocacy is needed! Please take the time to contact your legislators and ask them to strengthen Maryland Public Libraries by voting for SB0587 / HB1094. Use the pre-written letter available to contact your legislators. Feel free to add to the message using the Talking Points or to personalize it with your story. Check the Senate bill and House bill and be sure to thank any of your legislators who have co-sponsored the bill. You can also see if your elected official is serving any of the committees that will be hearing the bills in early March–Senate Budget & Tax, Senate Education, Health & Environmental Affairs or House Ways & Means.

Take Action Now!

Thanks in advance for any advocacy you can provide!

Advocacy Alert! Virtual MD Library Legislative Days 2016

 

Add your voice in support of libraries during the annual Virtual Maryland Library Legislative Days! This online advocacy event is being held to coincide with the live Maryland Library Legislative Day in Annapolis. Between February 3rd and February 5th, members of the Maryland library community—library staff, trustees, Friends groups, customers, volunteers—are encouraged to advocate for libraries! Please take a few moments to send a personal message to your state representatives. If you are already going to Annapolis, use the Advocacy Alert to send a thank you to the legislators you visited. To get started, go to the Engage Advocacy Alert.

Thank you in advance for your advocacy efforts!

Maryland Library Legislative Day 2014 Wrap Up

A belated thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Maryland Library Legislative Day! The day started with the Senate and House designating the day as Maryland Library Day and acknowledging the innovative services provided by all Maryland Libraries. Library advocates spent the day meeting with legislators and aides, sharing library successes and asking for their support when voting on bills. Over 130 people attended the evening’s reception, including 42 Senators and Delegates.

Thanks to everyone who participated!

 

Action Alert! Virtual MD Library Legislative Days 2014

Add your voice in support of libraries during the fifth annual Virtual Maryland Library Legislative Days! This online advocacy event is being held to coincide with the live Maryland Library Legislative Day in Annapolis. Between February 19th and February 21st, members of the Maryland library community—library staff, trustees, Friends groups, customers, volunteers—are encouraged to take action! Please take a few moments to send a personal message to your state representatives to advocate for libraries. If you are already going to Annapolis, use the Action Alert to send a thank you to the legislators you visited. To get started, go to the Capwiz Action Alert.

Thank you in advance for your advocacy efforts!

Maryland Library Legislative Day 2014 – Agenda

Maryland Library Legislative Day, our annual advocacy event, is tomorrow! On Wednesday, February 19th, members of the Maryland library community will assemble in Annapolis and advocate for libraries. The agenda for the day includes:

  • 8:00am – Briefing – Advocates meet at the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library, Suite 303 of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, for a briefing on current issues, talking points and advocacy strategies, and to gather advocacy materials.
  • 9:15am – Recognition in the Senate in the State House – The Senate will recognize the day as Maryland Library Day. Seating in the balcony is limited. In order to get a seat, advocates should arrive outside the balcony doors      before 9:15am. After the library community is acknowledged, people may quietly leave the balcony.
  • 10:00am – Recognition in the House of Delegates in the State House – A similar recognition will be made for Maryland Library Day in the House of      Delegates. Seating in the balcony is limited. In order to get a seat, advocates should arrive outside the balcony doors before 10:00am. After the library community is acknowledged, people may quietly leave the balcony.
  • Throughout the day – Advocates visit with legislators and their aides. Visits are coordinated by members of the MLA Legislative Panel and the Maryland Association of Public Library Administrators (MAPLA). In addition to presenting the library community’s position on issues and legislation that impact libraries, this provides a great opportunity to thank legislators for past support, talk about services that libraries provide to their constituents, promote the value of libraries and encourage support for      libraries.
  • 5:30pm – 7:30pm – Reception – The day concludes with a reception in the President’s conference room of the Miller Senate Office Building. Members of the Maryland library community are welcome to attend. Invitations have been sent to Senators, Delegates and other government officials. This is a great opportunity to mix and mingle with elected officials. Large copies of the Declaration for the Right to Libraries will be posted during the reception, courtesy of Citizens for Maryland Libraries  (CML).  Please sign the Declaration and encourage others to do so.

If you are unable to participate in any of these activities, the Legislative Panel will also be coordinating a Virtual Maryland Library Legislative Day. Details on the virtual event will be posted on this blog on February 19th.

Maryland Library Legislative Day 2014 – Save the Date!

The 2014 session of the Maryland General Assembly is underway, as is the planning for this year’s Maryland Library Legislative Day. This annual advocacy event is a time for the Maryland Library community to visit with legislators in Annapolis and virtually contact legislators using Capwiz. This year’s Maryland Library Legislative Day will be held on Wednesday, February 19th. Details will be shared closer to the date.

For information on last year’s Maryland Library Legislative Day, see the Legislative Panel’s blog post.

We hope that everyone can participate in some way!



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