Tag Archives: MN Library Legislation Day

Advocacy

CMLE’s Virtual Library Legislative Day

Earlier this month at CMLE HQ we celebrated Virtual Library Legislative Day on Tuesday, March 6th. That was the same day that many librarians also attended Legislative Day at the MN Capitol! Virtual Library Legislative Week was happening at the same time, so our advocating for libraries didn’t stop after one day! (Didn’t get a chance to contact your legislator? No problem – scroll down the page for more info on how to do so today!)

To celebrate Virtual Library Legislative Day, CMLE HQ had snacks, postcards, names and addresses of legislators, and sample text for our members to use, and we had fun seeing the flurry of activity online from excited library advocates! We were extra impressed by those able to make it to the Capitol, and loved seeing their experiences documented on social media.

Didn’t get a chance to advocate on Legislative Day or during Virtual Legislative Week? Don’t worry, it’s always a good time to advocate for libraries!! Thanks to the awesome information on the Minnesota Library Advocacy website, you can (and should) take a few minutes to contact your legislators. Find your MN legislators here.

Then use these resources to let them know which bill numbers to support! This is very important and makes it easier for your legislators to take action! Keep in mind that the bills with “HF” are for the House of Representatives and “SF” is for the Senate. Just in case, here is the list of bills from the website:

Bill numbers

RLBSS & Multi-type Funding Bill

HF 1382 Rep. Bud Nornes (R, 8A) [Bill details]

SF 1033 Sen. Gary Dahms (R, 16 ) [Bill details]

Bonding

HF 1484 Rep. Jeff Howe, (R, 13A) [Bill details]

SF 2218 Sen. Bill Ingebrigtson) (R, 8) [Bill details]

School Librarians Grant Pool

HF 2698 Rep Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL, 41B) [Bill details]

Need some help with what to say when you contact your legislator? Check out these letter/email writing templates and tips, or if you want to make a phone call, read through this page that has a call script template and other tips for making calls to your legislators.

You can do it! Your Minnesota libraries need you! 

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Call to action for MN Library Legislative day!

Can’t make it down to the Capitol for MN Library Legislative day on March 2-3? CMLE has got you covered! Please take a moment to send an email to your legislator to help us put libraries on their radar!

Just follow these 3 simple steps to have your voice heard!

1) Click here to find out Who represents me? Enter in your Zip Code.
2) Click on one of your state legislators.
3) Find your legislator's email address. Some will have you fill out an online form, some will use your email program.

Need some help getting started? Start with the following subject.

Subject: I love libraries because....

Write your text or just tag on a sentence or two to one of these…

Text: 
- Public libraries are the great equalizer, they serve people of every age, education level, income level, ethnicity and physical ability. I love my public library because... [fill in the blank]

- School libraries transform learning, build enthusiastic learners, and provide important space for thinking, making, and doing. I love my school library because... [fill in the blank]

- Academic libraries are the heart of the university, providing important spaces for thought and inquiry; often serving as breeding grounds for ideas. I love my academic library because... [fill in the blank]

- Special libraries exist in prisons, hospitals, museums, and other venues. My special library is important because... [fill in the blank]

Make sure to include your signature so they know you are a constituent.