Dear Shelley,
According to the ALA Washington Office, we could know as early as next week whether language for school libraries is included in the Senate’s Every Child Achieves Act (S.1177). While we are hopeful that libraries will have something to be very thankful for this Thanksgiving or just after the holiday, our work is not yet done!
We have been waiting and working toward this moment and I am excited to share that Congress is poised to act on ESEA federal education bill very soon. As you may know, this is the first education bill in over 10 years. This is the opportunity to ensure our youth have the school libraries they deserve and need in order to be workforce ready and prepared to be an active citizen in our democracy.
Let your voice be heard – do not remain silent on issues that matter to you and the young people you serve. We have an opportunity to impact a generation.
As soon as the ALA Washington Office learns what is actually in the new compromise bill language, they will post an alert to the Legislative Action Center with instructions for how you can help (including talking points you can use to call and email Congress). If you have not already done so, please go to the website and register to receive the email alerts.
This will be your opportunity to make sure every Member of the House of Representatives hears from citizens, including you, so speak up on behalf of our children and young people. The ALA Washington Office will post an alert to the Legislative Action Center with instructions and resources for how you, youth advocates, and supporters of education can help through calls, emails, Tweets. Take action, then help the word to others who believe in the rights of youth to free and equal access to school libraries and the research that proves the correlation between a successful student and an effective school library program. The more people who speak up on behalf of young people and their right to an effective school library, the better.
When you and your youth and library advocates are called upon, do not delay. When you receive the call to action, communicate to your community, asking them to speak up (tweet, call, or email) before the vote, which could be as early as December 2nd.
The more voices that speak up on behalf of school libraries, the better! Please keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for the upcoming alert. Thank you!
Leslie B. Preddy
2015 - 2016 AASL President
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