Advocacy Updates from Indiana Library Federation
February 2, 2018
News from the Statehouse
We are near the half-way point in the Indiana General Assembly , as Tuesday is the last day for bills to pass from the first chamber. Here are some quick links:
Update from Bose Public Affairs, February 2 - Note that you have to be signed in as an ILF member for access to these important updates. Contact the office if you forgot your login or password.
Library-related bills where ILF is active
Township mergers
HB1005, Township Consolidations, a process for the smallest townships to merge with larger townships or with each other over five years. After amendments in House Ways and Means, the bill may be on its way to the Senate after a vote on Monday. See ILF explanation of the bill and the Bose Report for more. ILF is closely monitoring this bill and talking with key legislators and stakeholders.

State Library - Historical Bureau Merger
HB1412 officially merges the Indiana State Library (ISL) with the Indiana Historical Bureau (IHB) and makes technical changes to clean up the petition process. The bill was amended to update the title for the IHB staff and to remove a limitation on the location on a future archives building. It is scheduled to be voted on by the full House on Monday. ILF testified in support of the ISL-IHB merger at the Jan. 30 hearing.

Workforce Development Reorganization
HB1002 reorganizes the programs within the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) . Through a floor amendment this week, Adult Education (section 16) and other programs were restored. Thank you to those who talked with their legislators about the value of adult education. SB50 focuses on certain changes to workforce development, primarily through programs currently overseen by the Commission on Higher Education. SB50 would create a commission on career and technical education, make changes to financial aid programs and establish certain tax credits.

We will need to continue elevating the importance of literacy, adult education and the value or libraries. See updated HB1002 and SB50 explained with talking points .

ILF institutional and personal members may see the Bose Report for more details and links to up-to-date bill tracking lists. If you forgot your login or password, contact us to reset.
Register for Library Day at the Statehouse
Plan to attend the Library Day at the Statehouse on Tuesday, February 20. ILF works to arrange individual appointments for registered attendees. Participants may also observe committee hearings and floor session. We aim to have an interactive table for legislators and legislative assistants to learn about try e-books, devices and materials from the library.

Participants should expect to arrive around 10:30 and stay through the early afternoon, though appointments may vary. After you register, the ILF Office will ask you about your home and office address and prior relationship, if any, with your legislators. Group photo above includes about one-third of the participants from 2017.
Attend Third House sessions
Legislators meet with constituents in " Third House " or " Meet your Legislator " events within districts. Most legislators will offer a preview or update of the types of legislation being considered during the short session of the Indiana General Assembly . Let us know if you plan to attend one of the upcoming sessions, as we can provide talking points and updates specific to your legislators.
  • Bartholomew County - every Monday 7:30am
  • Carroll County - February 3 at 8:00am
  • Elkhart - February 9 at Noon
  • Evansville - February 10
  • Goshen - February 9 at 8am
  • Greater Lafayette - February 10
  • Hamilton County - February 9 at 7:30am
  • Henry County - February 23
  • Huntington County - February 10 at 10:00am
  • Shelby County - February 16
  • Southwest IN, Posey County - February 3 at 9:00am
  • St. Joseph County - February 16
  • Tipton County - February 10 at 10:00am
  • Vigo County - February 16 at 10:00am
Thanks to Indiana Association of United Ways for maintaining the statewide calendar or the printable version . More dates are added as they are scheduled or known.
Exciting progress on the ILF School Library Census
Thanks to the help of over 100 volunteers, we have made substantial progress on the ILF 2018 School Library Census Survey. We still need more help to cover all 1,869 schools. Consider helping us with this very important work. The schools that remain are those without ILF members involved. Submit the volunteer form (include the school district you will survey) or contact the office .
Indiana Library Federation 2018 Policy Priorities
The ILF 2018 Policy Priorities include a continued focus on broadband expansion initiatives, lifelong learning initiatives and support for effective school libraries and certified librarians in K12 education.

You might also review the Indiana Adult Literacy Study which is referenced in the policy priorities.
Legislative Updates from Bose Public Affairs
Matt Long serves as our primary account manager with Bose Public Affairs , our contracted firm for government affairs and lobbying. Through our contract, we have access to the entire team of government affairs experts.

See the latest report from Bose Public Affairs for a summary of news from the Statehouse. (Remember that Bose Reports require your ILF Member Login. Contact us if you forgot your login or password.)
ALA's Policy Priorities in 2018
Just as we are actively advocating on state-level issues, we will sometimes alert you for action on federal issues. We monitor the committee memberships of our members of Congress and communicate with them as needed. Below are the current policy priorities for the American Library Association:
  • Museum and Library Services Act of 2017 ($183 million in funding)
  • Protecting the Right to Research
  • Bringing Broadband to Tribal Lands
  • Restoring Net Neutrality
Review the one-pager here . You may also learn more online .