Advocacy Updates from Indiana Library Federation
January 5, 2017
Indiana General Assembly kicked off short session Jan. 3
The Indiana General Assembly initiated its short session on Tuesday, January 3. The first week of session was full of announcements of priorities and coming retirements. Here are some quick links:
Indiana Library Federation Policy Priorities 2018
The ILF Board of Directors approved its 2018 Policy Priorities, including a continued focus on broadband expansion initiatives, lifelong learning initiatives and support for effective school libraries and certified librarians in K12 education .

See an abbreviated list of all the policy issues we actively advocate, support and monitor.

Q: How does ILF develop priorities?
A: ILF conducted a detailed policy priority survey in September of 2017. The results were discussed through facilitated conversation at the Legislative Fall Forum on October 5. Attendees prioritized short-term and long-term strategies. The Legislative Committee reviewed the feedback from the surveys and Fall Forum exercises. With input from the contracted lobby firm, the Committee recommended the policy priorities for 2018.

Q: What is the role of the Advocacy/Legislative Committee?
A: The ILF Advocacy/Legislative Committee reviews policy issues and legislative proposals and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Committee advises the staff and contracted legislative advocates on specific state and federal issues throughout the year. The committee will monitor intellectual freedom issues. During the legislative session, this committee reviews and advises action on specific bills in the General Assembly. This committee is THE most active of all ILF committees.

Q: How do ILF Members and Supporters get involved?
A: There are many ways for ILF members and supporters to get involved in advocating for libraries. Here is a short list:
  • Stay informed. Legislation happens fast in a short session. While the news media covers the most controversial issues, we aim to keep you informed about library issues.
  • Attend Third House/Meet Your Legislator meetings.
  • Tell your story. Share one great thing happening in your library with your family, friends and colleagues. Or tweet it and include @ilfonline !
  • Respond to ILF Advocacy Alerts and Calls to Action.
  • Provide outstanding library service. When you wow your patrons, your community values the library.
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. We aim to have our Policy Priority document available in the next issue.
  • Southwest IN (Warrick Co) - January 6 at 9am
  • Hamilton County (Fishers) - January 12 at 7:30am
  • Greater Greenwood - January 12 at 11:30am
  • Greater Bloomington - January 12 at 11:30am
  • Greater Goshen - January 19 at 8am
  • Muncie Delaware - January 19 at 11:30am
  • South Bend - January 19 at 12 noon
  • Greater Lafayette - January 20 at 7:30am
  • Marion-Grant - January 20 at 8am
  • Elkhart - January 20 at 10am
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.
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.)