Turn Congressmembers into Library Champions

Libraries across the country need our support—and you can learn how to help.

Join policy experts from the American Library Association (ALA) for a FREE webinar on September 9 at 4:00 pm CT to get updates on the fight to defend library funding and learn the best ways to turn your Congressmembers into true library champions, regardless of their political background.

Library advocates work tirelessly every day to demonstrate the essential services that libraries provide communities across the country. While it may seem difficult—or even daunting—to engage directly with congressmembers, many advocates are getting positive results: fruitful conversations in meetings with congressional staff, well-received letters to the editor, energizing in-person library visits, and more.

In this free webinar, ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy team will provide the tools you need to engage with your congressmembers more directly.

ALA Committee on Legislation Chair Susan Hempstead will be joined by special guests, including Kate Alderete, director of the Public Library of Albuquerque-Bernalillo (N.M.) County, who has worked to establish a relationship with library and digital opportunity champion Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Brad Fitch, a longtime CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation and former Capitol Hill staffer.

ALA Associate Executive Director Lisa Varga will also be on hand to provide an update on critical library issues, including ALA’s ongoing lawsuit to defend the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a win for E-Rate at the Supreme Court, and the current federal budget status.

Register now! Attendance is limited to 1,000 attendees. This event will be hosted in Zoom, and automatic captions will be enabled for this event. If you are unable to attend live, you will still receive access to the recording. A recording of the session will be available until October 10.

Want to get involved further?

Sign up to become an ALA advocate. You’ll receive timely advocacy alerts and updates on policy issues that impact library services from ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office.

You can also become an ALA Supporter. Your support of ALA helps make webinars like this possible and also helps ALA fight for libraries and everyone’s freedom to read across the U.S.