Support School Libraries -Act Now!

A call for action

From YALSA Exec Director Beth Yoke (school librarians need support from everyone to get school library language in the ESEA reauthorization; please cross-post). ESEA will replace No Child Left Behind so this is a crucial opportunity for strong libraries of all types. Please e-mail, Tweet and/or call your Congressional delegation--Take Action Now!

What has been done

 Last week we called on library staff and advocates to contact Congress to support school libraries, and many of you responded!  So far, there have been 2,971 emails, 446 Tweets and 39 phone calls.  That’s great, but with over 98,000 school libraries in the U.S. we can do better!  ALA staff are meeting with key Congressional all this week to ask for support for school libraries.  Right now we need one more push from library staff and advocates so that when ALA meets with Congressional staff your grassroots support will be the evidence Congress needs to take action for school libraries and ensure they’re adequately funded in the ESEA reauthorization. 

What needs to be done NOW!

Here’s how you can ensure that happens:

1.       Go here: http://cqrcengage.com/ala/home
2.       In the blue bar in the upper half of the page, choose how you want to contact your members of Congress: letter, Tweet, or phone call
3.       Click on the option(s) you want, provide the required contact info, & submit.  The letter and Tweet are pre-written for you, so it’s super easy! (but you do have the option to customize them if you want)
4.       Forward this message to library advocates in your community & encourage them to do take action, too
5.       Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

Sara Kelly Johns
‎President of New York Library Association;
ALA Exective Board