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

25 Signs You’re Not Tough Enough to Live in Baltimore - We're #4

25 Signs You’re Not Tough Enough to Live in Baltimore

By Ankita Rawoorker

September 19, 2025

Maryland, Real Estate

4. You treat the Enoch Pratt like a rainy-day plan

It’s a civic cathedral—free internet, job help, story time, and history you can hold in your hands. The library is where futures quietly change, and where the city gathers in ways no app can replace. If you’re not a cardholder, you’re skipping Baltimore’s most generous open door.

https://www.homestratosphere.com/signs-youre-not-tough-enough-to-live-in-baltimore/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Sep+22+-+Signs+Not+Tough+Enough+for+BALTIMORE+-+/signs-youre-not-tough-enough-to-live-in-baltimore/&fbclid=IwZnRzaANAHzBleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqyebnqM0iwEe5ciOT2vB1QzQDrOclU4Dw6bsc22Nwqgvgz7tBgXSQU5QGnaShUuYMqDr-VY_aem_8pxLbxMYxxG0psOAP4gOJQ&utm_id=120233357410870203&utm_content=120233357436260203&utm_term=120233357410960203

Understanding Inclusion

 

MLA 2019 - Highlights

This year’s MLA & DLA Joint Library Conference was probably one of the best I’ve attended in recent years. There was so much offered, that if I had any complaints at all, it would only be that I didn’t get a chance to go to all of the sessions I wanted to.

A major highlight for me was the film screening of “I Know a Man…Ashley Bryan.” As a former children’s librarian, I spent many hours sharing the books of Ashley Bryan to many, many pre-school aged, and older children, and their caregivers. He’s a wonderfully gifted artist, and storyteller, and the film documents so much about him that I didn’t know.

Another presentation that stands out is the one “What if…Every Library Supporter was an Informed Advocate: Federal Legislative Update.” As a result of attending this seminar, I have a much better understanding of the Federal Appropriations process as it relates to libraries, and specifically as it relates to Baltimore City, Dorchester County (Cambridge), and Somerset Counties, as well as other jurisdictions in the State of Maryland.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the William G. Wilson, Maryland Author Award luncheon honoring author Mary Amato. It was heart-warming to have her begin her speech by singing to the audience, and playing the ukulele. She became genuinely emotional, and it was humbling to witness someone with such great talent sincerely appreciating all the accolades she so clearly deserves.

Vera Fattah

Librarian Supervisor II, Reisterstown Rd. Branch

MLA 2018 - ALA Advocacy Bootcamp

I attended ALA Advocacy Bootcamp training at the MLA/DLA Joint Conference. In it, we learned the power of storytelling. There is no more effective tool in communicating the value of libraries to members of your community or to those of the political class. 

Remember – the library story is not about the books, or the computers, or the programs. Who cares? It’s about the hero journey. What keeps you in the seat at the movie theater, not counting the exorbitant ticket cost?  The answer: wanting to know what happens next. To who? The hero, that’s who. For our purposes, our hero is the library user. 

Here’s the story structure. Use it.

1)      Give me a real person.

Ex: Caiden was 3 years old.

2)      Give me the problem

Ex: He stuttered. 

3)      Give me a library intervention.

Ex: The library offered a “Read to Dogs” program.

4)      Give me a happy ending (no Greek tragedies here, people).

Ex: Caiden doesn’t stutter anymore.

5)      Give me one fact.

Ex: Hundreds of libraries offer this program.

6)      Give me a phrase that pays.

Libraries transform lives.

Other phrases-that-pay are Libraries transform communities, Librarians are passionate advocates for lifelong learning, and Libraries are a smart investment.

If you had your choice, people who actually use the library are the best advocates. Look to your Friends group or regulars who love your library and have a story to tell. The process: “Find the advocate. Give them the speech. Let them practice it with you. Book it five times in your community.”

 If you have to tell the story yourself, you now have the structure. Go tell some stories.

Morgan Stanton
Edmondson Avenue Branch