91´«Ã½

Washington, D.C. – The 91´«Ã½ is extending the application deadline for the fourth cohort of the Policy Corps to Dec. 15, 2021. The 91´«Ã½ will recruit up to 12 cohort members for the Corps, an initiative aimed at strengthening advocacy related to key national library policy areas ranging from broadband equity and copyright/licensing to federal funding, privacy, and cybersecurity.

The 91´«Ã½ is searching for applicants with diverse representation from across library types and geographies. Participants will deepen policy advocacy expertise and networks; create or enhance the skill set needed to impact legislation and policy; mentor others on a given policy issue of interest; participate in a cohort to share challenges and successes; and ultimately impact national, state, and local policymaking.

Characteristics of successful applicants include:

• 91´«Ã½ membership;

• At least five years of library experience;

• Past advocacy experience at the local, state, national and/or international level;

• Desire to develop one’s policy advocacy skills and apply them over a period of years;

• Solid speaking and writing skills;

• Policy area expertise and ability to express impact of legislation and policy on libraries and various communities of users we serve;

• Commitment to keeping current on policy-related library issues and to building and supporting a strong, national network of advocates over time;

• Ability to make and sustain a five-year commitment; and

• Support from a library or educational institution.

Preference will be given to applicants with prior engagement in 91´«Ã½ and state chapters, such as service on boards, committees, or other entities and/or participation in professional development or scholarship programs.

The application process for the 2021 91´«Ã½ Policy Corps is now open. Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021: /advocacy/ala-policy-corps-application. Selected finalists will subsequently be asked to submit a two-minute recorded video presentation about a sample policy issue.

, including current members and working group members, is available at ala.org/advocacy/ala-policy-corps.