Welcome to “Get Legislators in Your Library!” An ALA Washington, Office Webinar

Topics About the webinar Why district visits are important Basic online information Basic legalities Addressing barriers to participation What advocates need to know to set up winning site visits

Who’s Talking?

About the Webinar What’s happening? Muting and Q&A Polls Follow-up Materials and Recording – Available on ALA’s District Dispatch at

Where are we starting from? Let’s go to the poll…

Why Are Site Visits Important? DC Style Always “on” Non-stop voting, meetings and receptions Likely living in less comfortable quarters May not be with family

Why Are Site Visits Important? Home- Style More relaxed More personable More comfortable Often with family

What Does This Mean? Visiting with elected officials in their districts is ALWAYS a good use of time…

Basic Online Information Who are my elected officials? – Who should I contact and how? When are the recesses (a.k.a. district work periods) – House House – Senate Senate – General General Do my elected officials have events scheduled?

Basic Legalities Advocacy vs. Lobbying Are you a public employee? What are the requirements in your state? What are the requirements in your state? What are the federal requirements? To be on the safe side…

Playing it Safe Playing nice with others Non-legislative asks (i.e., “education” vs. “lobbying”) Better to ask forgiveness than permission?

Barriers to Action Let’s go to the poll! Choose as many as apply

Possible Barrier: It’s Too Hard (or, the corollary, I’m Not Sure What to Do!) Answer: Resources, resources, resources

Making it Easier: Build on Existing Events A few examples from the library world – Uinta Public Library Uinta Public Library – Anderson County Library System Anderson County Library System – University of Nebraska Omaha University of Nebraska Omaha Who wants to be next? What are members of Congress up to? – Check on townhall meeting schedules

Existing Events: Hosting a Townhall at your Library What is a “townhall?” – Working with legislator – Independent How do they take place? – In-person – Virtual – Telephone Telephone How do you do it? – General overview General overview

Townhall checklist

Making it Easier: Use Every Resource at Your Disposal No need to reinvent the wheel: ALA online site visit information ALA online site visit information ALA Advocacy Institute Visit template Article on effective meetings Article on effective meetings Assistance from ALA Check in with your State Organization

Members of Congress are Scary and Unresponsive Answer: Approach them appropriately

Appropriate Approach: Invite the Staff DC and/or district staff are great for “starter” visits. Why? – Easier to arrange – Staff can become advocates within the office for your cause

Appropriate Approach: Show them the Benefits Why would they want to come? – Hint: puppies and children are always good draws What’s “in it” for them? How can you be flexible? What are the alternatives? – Statement to read – “Virtual” participation Following up after a cancellation

Appropriate Approach: Engage the Media After confirming with the elected official, call local media outlets and let them know: Who is coming. When they are coming. Why he/she is coming. How this story will inform/interest their readership/viewers. Contact Jenni Terry, press officer for the ALA Washington Office ), for assistance with contacting your local Be sure to work in TANDEM with the legislator – don’t surprise them with the press!

It Doesn’t Make a Difference Answer: Your Power as Constituents

Your Power as Constituents: Examples Recent surveys point to the power of in-district activity – CMF CMF The Congressional Record doesn’t lie…Congressional Record

Always Bear in Mind… Fewer quality contacts are far superior, in terms of impact on elected officials, than “quantity” contacts. Focus on getting just a few visits this recess – then a few more – then a few more. Pretty soon you’ll have dozens scheduled every recess!

The Five Minute Action Plan What will you do next? Be sure to let ALA know if you’ve scheduled any visits!

Questions?