Report from the Trenches: ALA National Library Legistative Day

Late last month (February 25th-26th), I attended the National Library Legislative Day—an  annual event during which the American Library Association invites advocates from all fifty states to meet with their respective state Senators and House Representatives on Capitol Hill.  

Of the roughly two hundred individuals selected to participate, more than half were new to this event—myself included! Fortunately, the ALA provides a day-long “crash course” outlining best practices when meeting with lawmakers (or their staffers), and providing a list of key talking points in keeping with the organization’s primary asks for Fiscal Year 2027. These are: 

• Fully fund the Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) at $232 million and sign the Dear Appropriator letter in support of LSTA 
• Fully fund Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) at $50 million and sign the Dear Appropriator letter in support of IAL Protect and strengthen the E-Rate program with sustainable, predictable, and long-term funding. 

On the second and final day of this event, my delegation (a group comprising library leaders, staff, students and volunteers across Maryland school, public and academic libraries) visited the offices of Maryland Senators Angela Alsobrooks and Chris Van Hollen, then divided into subgroups to meet with our respective congressmen. Following this, my group met with Representatives Johnny Olszewski, Jamie Raskin and Kweisi Mfume. As Rep. Mfume oversees my branch location and the surrounding area (Maryland’s 7th Congressional District), my colleagues kindly ceded the floor for this meeting, allowing me to convey observations and requests unique to our community—and even to extend an invitation for the Congressman to visit!

Ultimately, I would recommend next year’s National Library Legislative Day to “newbie” advocates and seasoned pros alike. If you’re eager to flex your advocacy muscles in the meantime, consider contacting your local representatives and asking them to sign the Dear Appropriator letters in support of LSTA and IAL! The deadline for signatures is March 20th. 

 Thanks so much for your time, and happy advocating!  

Christine Ercole, PNN

PCI Webinars difficulties are continuing

PCI webinars is having an issue with Zoom, and has to recreate their account.  This means that they lost access to all current registration lists, and need to create new links and have everyone re-register.

If you are registered for a PCI webinar for March or April, you will need to re-register once the new links become available.  We'll keep you posted about this issue.

The new link for the Managing the Afterschool Crowd at Your Library webinar on March 11 is below.  

 https://marylandlibraries.libcal.com/event/16231499

--

Niche Academy site will be changing

Starting this month, the MD State Library Agency will be reviewing the contents of the Maryland Libraries Training Academy on Niche Academy site.  Current content will be evaluated and weeded based on age, usage, and accessibility, and the site will be reorganized once these changes are complete.

Please finish any tutorials/webinars that interest you by March 27, in preparation for changes to the site.  The MSLA will start removing content on March 30, and review the site every 6 months in the future.

CPR classes coming soon

If you would like to particiate in an upcoming Red Cross CPR/AED class, please complete the short survey here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/78HL369

You don't need to leave your name, just your preferred location and date.

EPFL Move to Microsoft 365

When the library makes the switch from Google to MS 365, this blog will disappear.  There will be a replacement site hopefully available before the entire staff switches to MS 365, but in the interim, all forms and information currently available on the blog will be moved to the shared (S:) drive under Training.  This will be near the bottom of the list, and is not the same as the SD&T part of the drive.  

All forms and information sheets will be converted back to their original formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) which will make them easier to access as no download is required.  We will keep you updated on the location of all current documents, and look forward to trying out the new format for sharing information.

Please reach out to SD&T if you have questions or can't find something.

Manager Resource Evaluation Project

Manager Resource Evaluation Project

The Short Version

We’re evaluating management and leadership books by reading and reviewing their usefulness and beneficial aspects (or not).  Pick a book from the list, read it, submit an evaluation, and you’ll help create an annotated resource list for all interested staff members. 

 There are over 25 books on the current reading list, and more waiting to be added. Here are a few from the list:

 

8 paradoxes of leadership agility : how to lead and inspire in the real world by Chuen Yeo

Arrive and thrive : 7 impactful practices for women navigating leadership by Susan Brady, Janet Foutty, and Lynn Perry Wooten 

First Time Manager by Loren Belkner, Tim McCormick, and Gary Topchik

Twice as good : leadership and power for women of color by Mary J Wardell

The antiracist business book : an equity-centered approach to work, wealth, and leadership by Trudi Lebron

Building trust : exceptional leadership in an uncertain world by Darryl Stickel

The Culture Question – How to Create a Workplace Where People Like to Work by Randy Grieser et.al.

How to Be an Inclusive Leader by Jennifer Brown 

 

 You can view the full list on the shared drive 

or stop by the office to see what grabs your attention. 

 

If you have a suggestion that isn’t on the list we can discuss adding it to the project.

This project will run to the end of the year, and can be extended as needed.

Link to IMLS grant funded activities survey

 If you received funding for a learning activity that was charged to our IMLS learning grant, you must complete the survey below so that we can provide accurate information on the grant report.  Thanks.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IMLS2026