91´«Ã½

PHILADELPHIA – Virtual Library Legislative Day is part of the 91´«Ã½’s (91´«Ã½) National Library Legislative Day on May 10, when hundreds of library advocates will descend on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staffs. Library advocates who cannot make it to Capitol Hill for the event can still be a part of the effort by calling and/or emailing their elected officials on May 10 – or any time the week of May 9-13. Talking points for Virtual Library Legislative Day can be found in the briefing materials at .

The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), the 91´«Ã½ Washington Office, 91´«Ã½ Chapter Relations and the 91´«Ã½ Office for Library Advocacy will lead Virtual Library Legislative Day, an opportunity for all library advocates to make their voices heard on a national level.

ALTAFF Executive Director Sally Gardner Reed encourages all advocates to take part in this united effort to ensure America’s libraries can continue to serve the public. “If citizens who care for libraries remain silent, it’s the same as saying they are okay with low budgets and closed libraries,” Reed said. “The only way for us to make a difference is to make our voices heard.”

National Library Legislative Day began in 1976. In 2003, Friends of Libraries U.S.A. began a virtual component to engage Friends of the Library groups, library advocates and supporters around the country who could not travel to Washington, D.C. for the main event. Now in its ninth consecutive year, the virtual campaign continues to support the efforts of those who attend this important day in Washington, D.C. and meet with their elected officials in person.

Links to contact information for members of Congress are available on the ALTAFF website () and . Both websites also provide a flyer and bookmarks for library advocates to print, email or post on their websites to help spread the word in their communities. In addition, a recorded webcast available on both websites highlights actions advocates can take to support the library community in Washington, D.C. To RSVP for Virtual Library Legislative Day on Facebook, visit .

More information about National Library Legislative Day, including a list of events for those who plan to participate in Washington, D.C., can be found online at

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is a division of the 91´«Ã½ that supports citizens who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. ALTAFF brings together library Trustees, advocates, Friends, and Foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information, visit , or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org.