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Issues and Advocacy

Through its advocacy efforts, the ALA strives to communicate the importance of libraries and librarians to our democratic society, to improve library funding and influence public policy about libraries and information-related issues, to increase public awareness about the role and importance of libraries and library workers in every community*, and ultimately, to turn passive support of libraries and librarians into educated action by stakeholders.

*Text originates from ALA Advocacy, A Framework for Planning for Future Activities. Prepared by Nancy Kranich.

Federal Issues:

• Civil Liberties, Intellectual Freedom, and Privacy
  (including the Patriot Act)
• Copyright
• Government Information
• Funding
• Federal Library Programs
• Technology, Telecommunications, and the Internet

State Issues:

• For information on issues affecting your state, visit: 
  State and Regional Chapters List.

Resources:

• • Download Ralph Nader's Speech: Captioned Text of the 2003 ALA/CLA Annual Conferences's President's Program 
  • Library Advocate's Handbook in Spanish
  • New Save America's Libraries TV, radio and print PSAs available"
  • Visit the Legislative Action Center - Contact Congress
  • Advocacy Publications
  • Online media relations toolkit
  • Listservs
  • Conduct an Advocacy Presentation
  • @ your library®

  Calendar of Events:

  • National Legislative Day
  • Banned Books Week
  • National Library Card Sign Up Month
  • Chapter Conferences

  Contacts:

  • ALA Washington Office
  • Public Information Office
  • Office for Intellectual Freedom

  See also:

  • Association for Library Trustees and Advocates
  • Chapter Relations Office
  • ALA Allied Professional Association
  • Friends of Libraries USA