Message from KLA Governmental Affairs Committee Chair, Roger Carswell:

At a recent Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) meeting, it was decided not to hold a traditional Legislative Day this year. This is due partly to logistical problems with the Statehouse renovation, the banning of receptions and similar events in the Statehouse this year, and the relocation of the State Library outside the Statehouse proper for the next 2-3 years.

This does *not* mean that there will be no advocacy efforts. We are encouraging you to invite your local legislators in to a library in their home districts during the week of Nov. 16, and talk to them there about library issues. (Of course, if the suggested week will not work, feel free to schedule the event at a better time). We will be supplying libraries with materials to help plan such an event, and in many cases the regional library systems can help coordinate these events.

We will also be sending out an alert when dates of budget hearings affecting libraries are held (usually we only have a few days' notice), and encourage those who can attend to do so.

There will also be a "Virtual Legislative Day", on which library supporters will be asked to send an e-mail message to their legislators.

Library Advocacy                                                                    

Legislative Issues: Kan-ed Fast Facts Kan-ed Update Data Digest 2009 Libraries & Economy

KLA Position Papers: Intellectual Freedom CIPA SKILLS Act National Security Letters Patriot Act Schools / Public Libraries Local Authority

Everyone who cares about Kansas libraries is an advocate!  We're all advocates!    Library advocacy plays a key role in educating Kansans about why libraries are vital in today's society. 
KLA's Executive Director is the official lobbyist for KLA but our voices together are what make a difference and catch the attention of legislators. 

The Kansas Library Association advocates on library issues.   KLA develops a legislative push card, tracks legislation and keeps association members and the library community at large informed on the status of bills related to library issues.  Each year, generally in February, KLA sponsors a Legislative Day at the State Capitol of Kansas to meet with legislators on library issues.  A Kansas delegation also travels to Washington D.C. each year to participate in National Library Legislative Day sponsored by the American Library  Association.