Day in the District 2009

The annual California School Library Association and California Library Association Day in the District will take place on:

Friday, January 30, and Friday, February 6, 2009.

Day in the District is an opportunity for library supporters to educate their legislators about the importance of school libraries.

Mark your calendars and watch your emails for messages about how to participate!

Tools for Legislative Day in the District
To optimize your appointment time with your legislator, your CSLA government affairs and legislative committee team leaders have compiled the following tools:

• LegiTips (helpful hints and tips before you meet and during your meeting)
• Talking Points (critical points to convey to your legislator during your meeting)
• FactSheet Handout (this is the document to leave with your legislator at the end of your meeting) New [download pdf packet]
  

Educate to Legislate is this year’s theme.
 
Remember, if you have questions, please contact Crystal Miranda, CSLA Vice President Government Relations, at CMiranda@lbschools.net; or contact Legislative Committee Co-chairs, Pam Oehlman at pjoehlman@aol.com or Barbara Duffy at bjduffy@lbschools.net.

Now is the time to schedule an appointment with your legislator. Read below to get started.

YOU are needed at Legislative Day in the District!
The CSLA legislative agenda for this year is “Educate to Legislate.” Building relationships, informing, and demonstrating to legislators the learning that happens every day in California school libraries is our goal. Legislative Day in the District is coming soon and is more important than ever. We know that strong school libraries and teacher librarians positively impact student achievement. Now is the time to deliver this message to those legislators who will support library legislation in the future.

DAY IN THE DISTRICT DATES
Friday, January 30 AND Friday, February 6

GETTING STARTED
There are several components to Legislative Day in the District. Please thoroughly read this message for details about how to make appointments with legislators, where to find resources (fact sheet, talking points, toolkits, etc.), and who to contact with your questions.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
YOU MUST SIGN UP ONLINE to attend specific appointments with legislators. The online appointment schedule is located at www.legiday.net. Once you enter the Web site, type “member” in the Account Name field and “member” in the Password field. On the next screen, click the “legiday” link. Then follow the on-screen directions.

At the website you will find lists of legislators, appointment dates and times, and notes about the meetings. We must tell legislators the names of people will attend their meetings, so please use this Web site to sign up. You do not need to make the appointment with the legislator’s office. The assigned contact will schedule these appointments.

HEADQUARTERS FOR INFORMATION
The CSLA Web site is the headquarters for information about Legislative Day in the District. CSLA’s Legislative Committee is compiling resources for delegates to use in advance of your day in your district (talking points, messaging) and information that you will hand-deliver to your legislator the day of your visit.

WHO IS YOUR LEGISLATOR?
Remember, if you do not know who your legislator is, go to www.legiday.net to find your legislator’s name and schedule your appointment.

QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about Legislative Day in the District, please contact Crystal Miranda; or contact Legislative Committee Co-chairs, Pam Oehlman at pjoehlman@aol.com or Barbara Duffy at bjduffy@lbschools.net.

LEGISLATIVE DAY WIKI
CSLA President Connie Williams has set up an “Educate to Legislate” wiki. This wiki was established to collect stories, share ideas for packets, and report the outcome of the visits with legislators. Go to http://legidaycsla.pbwiki.com/ to find legislative updates from Jeff Frost, our CSLA lobbyist, organization background information, and more! The password is “legiday” just in case the system requires it.

Thank you for making a commitment to “Educate to Legislative” the positive impact that school libraries and teacher librarians have on student achievement by making an appointment with your legislator.

Begin now by clicking on www.legiday.net. And, remember, once you enter the Web site, type "member" in the Account Name field and "member" in the Password field. On the next page, click the "legiday" link.