FLA Recommendations for Getting Ready for the Legislative Session

Getting ready for the 2013 Legislative Session— What library advocates need to know February 2013 Florida’s legislative session begins on March 5. Here are tips on preparing to be an effective advocate for important library issues with your legislators DATES TO KNOW March 5- Regular Session begins and committee meetings will start shortly afterward. March 12 – FLA’s Library Day in Tallahassee May 3 – Regular Session ends WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NOW • Confirm your legislative district. With reapportionment in 2012, your district may have changed. (Check here for a list of counties and legislative districts) • Contact your delegation members with the library message. Continue the advocacy efforts you began last fall. • Make appointments to see your legislators on Library Day. If a legislator isn’t available, talk with staffers. WHAT DO LIBRARIES NEED? The Florida Library Association Legislative Platform calls for the following:  State Aid to Public Libraries – FLA supports working toward the restoration of State Aid from the current $21,300,000 to the $33,400,000 appropriated in 2000-2001. Governor Scott’s budget recommendations, released January 31, include $20,235,401 for State Aid, the minimum required for Florida to receive vitally needed federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds. Florida received LSTA funding of $7.8 million in 2012.  Library Cooperative Grants – FLA supports working toward restoration of Library Cooperative Grant funding to the $1.5 million level to fund Florida’s five Multitype Library Cooperatives. The funding was vetoed for 2012-13. For 2013-14 the Governor has recommended $1 million for Cooperative grants.  State Library & Archives of Florida – FLA supports the continuation of the Department of State, in particular the Division of Library and Information Services and its programs in their current form.  Public Library Construction – FLA supports funding of all Department of State approved applications of up to $500,000 each.  Community Libraries in Caring – FLA supports funding of $200,000 for grants that provide grants to Florida’s small, rural public libraries.  Florida Virtual Campus – FLA supports increased funding for statewide electronic resources; digital collections and preservation; state-of-the-art, cost effective information technology; and other essential services to assist the libraries of the public colleges and universities of Florida. Governor Scott recommends $23,927,294 for the Florida Virtual Campus for 2013-14. OUR MESSAGE TO LEGISLATORS Florida libraries continue to provide innovative services that transform the lives of Floridians despite budget cuts! Tell your library’s story about the value your library provides to your community! The American Library Association has issued a forward- looking report entitled “U.S. Public Libraries Weather the Storm: Innovative Services Continue Despite Continuous Budget Cuts.” This report frames the positive message about how libraries continue to innovate and provide services that transform lives. This is a strong positive message for our time and one that Florida libraries demonstrate every day. We know the economy’s recovery is going to be slow and library budgets are unlikely to be restored soon, but we must keep the message positive and focused on the successes that libraries bring to their communities! Florida libraries transform lives! Here are some of the services through which libraries improve the quality of life for Floridians: - Assist job searchers - Access to e-government services - Support for early learning and help for parents learning to be their child’s first teacher - Contributing to K-12 students’ success - Helping local businesses - Providing Internet access, technology, and technology training and support Florida libraries provide innovative service! Highlight the innovations at your library. Services do not need to be expensive or fancy to be innovative. Thank legislators who have helped libraries in the past and welcome the new ones! Begin building a positive relationship with legislators as you educate them about the value of libraries. WHAT TO DO NEXT  Contact your legislators and tell them the library story. Tell them about the specific and terrific ways your library is helping Floridians during these challenging times. • Invite legislators into the library and show them the cool things you are doing! The best way to convince decision-makers of the value of libraries is to help them see it first-hand. • Plan to attend FLA’s Library Day on March 12, 2013 Encourage library supporters to join you in Tallahassee to meet with legislators. Thank you for your great work – and remember to keep it positive. Mary Brown Chair, FLA Legislative Committee

Who to Contact

Legislators We Need to Contact
Senate President
 Senator Mike Haridopolos (r) – Represents parts of Brevard, Indian River, Osceola,
& St. Lucie counties – haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov / District (321) 752-3131 /
Tallahassee (850) 487-5056
Senate Appropriations Chair
 Senator JD Alexander (r) – Represents Hardee, Highlands, & parts of DeSoto,
Glades, Okeechobee, Polk, & St. Lucie counties – Alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov / District
(863) 679-4847 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5044
Senate Appropriations Vice- Chair
 Senator Joe Negron (r) – Represents Martin & parts of Indian River, Okeechobee,
Palm Beach, & St. Lucie counties - Negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov / District 1-888-759-0791
/ Tallahassee (850) 487-5088
Senate TED Conferees
 Senator Don Gaetz (r) - Chairman – Represents parts of Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa,
Santa Rosa &Walton counties / gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov / District (850) 897-5747 /
Tallahassee (850) 487-5009
 Senator Gwen Margolis (d) – Represents parts of Broward & Miami-Dade counties–
Margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov / District (305) 571-5777 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5121
 Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (r) – Represents parts of Charlotte, Glades, Hendry,
Lee, & Palm Beach counties – benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov / District (561) 753-
2440 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5356
 Senator Ellyn Setnor Bogdanoff (r) – Represents parts of Broward & Palm Beach
counties – bogdanoff.ellyn.web@flsenate.gov / District (954) 467-4205 / Tallahassee (850)
487-5100
 Senator Tony Hill (d) - Represents parts of Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, &
Volusia counties – hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov - District (904) 924-1646 / Tallahassee (850)
487-5025 Senator Jack Latvalla (r) – Represents parts of Hillsborough & Pinellas counties -
latvalla.jack.web@flsenate.gov – District (727) 556-6500 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5075
 Senator Chris Smith (d) – Represents parts of Broward & Palm Beach counties –
smith.chris.web@flsenate.gov / District (954)267-2114 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5112
Senate At Large Conferees
 Senator Andy Gardiner (r) – Represents parts of Orange, Osceola, & Seminole
counties - gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov - District (407) 428-5800 / Tallahassee (850)
487-5047
 Senator Nan Rich (d) – Represents parts of Broward & Miami-Dade counties -
rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov – District (954) 747-7933 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5103
 Senator Gary Siplin (d) – Represents parts of Orange & Osceola counties -
siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov – District (407) 297-2071 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5190
 Senator John Thrasher (r) – Represents parts of Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns,
and Volusia counties - thrasher.john.web@flsenate.gov – District (904) 727-3600 /
Tallahassee (850) 487-5030
House Speaker
 Rep. Dean Cannon (r) - Represents part of Orange County –
dean.cannon@myfloridahouse.gov / District (407) 623-5740 / Tallahassee (850) 488-2742
House Budget Conference Chair
 Rep. Denise Grimsley (r) – Represents Glades, Hendry & parts of Collier &
Highlands counties denise.grimsley@myfloridahouse.gov - District (863) 385-5251 /
Tallahassee (850) 488-3457
House TED Conferees
 Rep. Mike Horner (r) - Chair – Represents parts of Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, &
Polk counties / mike.horner@myfloridahouse.gov / District (407) 943-3077 / Tallahassee
(850) 488-8992
 Rep. Lori Berman (d) – Represents part of Palm Beach County –
lori.berman@myfloridahouse.gov / District (561) 266-6645 / Tallahassee (850) 488-1662
 Rep. Mack Bernard (d) – Represents parts of Palm Beach County –
mack.bernard@myfloridahouse.gov / District (561) 650-6880 / Tallahassee (850) 488-8632
 Rep. Jeffry Brandes (r) – Represents part of Pinellas County /
jeffry.brandes@myfloridahouse.gov. District (727) 552-2573 / Tallahassee (850) 488-5719
 Rep. Douglas Broxson (r) – Represents parts of Escambia, Okaloosa, & Santa Rosa
counties – douglas.broxson@myfloridahouse.gov / District (850) 916-5436 / Tallahassee
(850) 488-8188
 Rep. Matthew Caldwell (r) – Represents part of Lee County -
matthew.caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov / District (239) 533-2411 / Tallahassee (850) 488-
1541 Rep. Brad Drake (r) – Represents Holmes, Washington and parts of Jackson,
Okaloosa, & Walton counties – brad.drake@myfloridahouse.gov / District (850) 892-8431 /
Tallahassee (850) 488-4726
 Rep. Lake Ray (r) – Represents parts of Duval County –
lake.ray@myfloridahouse.gov / District (904) 723-5300 / Tallahassee (850) 488-4388
 Rep. Hazelle Rogers (d) – Represents part of Broward County –
hazelle.rogers@myfloridahouse.gov / District (954) 497-3367 / Tallahassee (850)488-8234
 Rep. Rich Workman (r) - Represents part of Brevard County /
rich.workman@myfloridahouse.gov /District (321) 757-7019 / Tallahassee (850) 488- 9720
House At Large Conferees
 Rep.Gary Aubuchon (r) - Represents parts of Charlotte & Lee counties -
gary.aubuchon@myfloridahouse.gov -District (239) 344-4900 / Tallahassee (850) 488-7433
 Rep. Charles Chestnut (d) - Represents parts of Alachua & Marion counties –
Charles.chestnut@myfloridahouse.gov – District (352) 955-3083 / Tallahassee (850) 488-
5794
 Rep. Dorothy Hukill (r) - Represents part of Volusia County –
dorothy.hukill@myfloridahouse.gov - District (386) 322-5111 / Tallahassee (850) 488-6653
 Rep. Paige Kreegel (r) - Represents DeSoto & parts of Charlotte & Lee countiespaige.kreegel@myfloridahouse.gov - District (941) 575-5820 / Tallahassee (850) 488-9175
 Rep. Legg (r) - Represents part of Pasco County – john.legg@myfloridahouse.gov -
District (727) 869-8600 / Tallahassee (850) 488-5522
 Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera (r) - Represents part of Miami-Dade County –
carlos.lopez-cantera@myfloridahouse.gov - District (305) 442-6877 / Tallahassee (850) 488-
4202
 Rep. Seth McKeel (r) - Represents parts of Hillsborough & Polk counties –
seth.mckeel@myfloridahouse.gov – District (863) 647-4896 / Tallahassee (850) 488-9890
 Rep. Bill Proctor (r) - Represents parts of Clay, Flagler & St. Johns counties –
bill.proctor@myfloridahouse.gov - District (904) 823-2550 / Tallahassee (850) 488-2977
 Rep. Darryl Rouson (d) - Represents parts of Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas &
Sarasota counties – darryl.rouson@myfloridahouse.gov - District (727) 906-3200 /
Tallahassee (850) 488-0925
 Rep. Franklin Sands (d) - Represents part of Broward County -
franklin.sands@myfloridahouse.gov - District (954) 424-6800 / Tallahassee (850) 488-0590
 Rep. Ron Saunders (d) - Represents Monroe & part of Miami-Dade counties –
ron.saunders@myfloridahouse.gov - District (305) 853-1947 / Tallahassee (850) 488-9965
 Rep. Riob Schenck (r) - Represents parts of Hernando, Pasco & Sumter counties -
rob.schenck@myfloridahouse.gov - District (352) 688-5005 / Tallahassee (850) 488-6641 Rep. William Snyder (r) - Represents parts of Martin, Palm Beach & St. Lucie
counties – William.snyder@myfloridahouse.gov - District (772) 221-4904 / Tallahassee
(850) 488-8832
 Rep. Will Weatherford (r) - Represents parts of Hillsborough & Pasco counties –
will.weatherford@myfloridahouse.gov - District (813) 558-5115 / Tallahassee (850) 488-
5744

FLA Advocacy Request

4-27-2011
Florida Library Funding Advocacy - The Time to Act is Now!!!
We have just learned who the Transportation and Economic Development (TED) Budget
Conferees are and their time line for completing their work. These are the folks who we need to
persuade to fund State Aid to Public Libraries at $21.2 million and Library Cooperatives at $1.2
million. The Conferees will start work Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. and meet periodically until
noon Friday at which time unresolved issues will be bumped to the budget chairs for resolution.
This is it! It’s time to put every bit of effort into this that we can – don’t hold back!
We need to make as many contacts as possible with every legislator between now and Friday
morning. If any of the legislators identified below as members of the leadership or the
Transportation and Economic Development (TED) Conference Committees serve your
community it is critically important for you to arrange to have contacts made!
We also need to contact those legislators identified below as being “At Large Conferees.” Those
legislators can participate in any Budget Conference Committee proceeding they choose so they
have the potential to support us in the TED meetings too.
If your legislators are not identified below, ask them to urge their colleagues who are TED
Conferees to fund State Aid at $21.2 million and Library Cooperatives at $1.2 million. Last year
at this point in the process several legislators stood up and went directly to the legislative
leadership on our behalf and we need legislators to stand up for Florida libraries again this year!
And it’s time to reach out to every group that you can to join in the effort. Friends, family
members, clubs, church groups – whatever group you are a part of, get its members involved.
FLA’s CapWiz service works particularly well for friends of libraries who are more comfortable
using the message we provide and the ease of sending messages
http://capwiz.com/ala/fl/issues/alert/?alertid=36971501 .
Be on the lookout for additional communications as the budget process moves forward. They
need to complete the budget no later than Tuesday, May 3
rd
if they are to going to be able to
finish the 60 day regular session on Friday as scheduled.
Message: Please, during the TED budget conference process, fund State Aid to Public
Libraries at $21.2 million and Library Cooperatives at $1.2 million. The House budget has
State Aid to Public Libraries at $17.7 million and Library Cooperative funding at $1 million
and the Senate has both at zero.
$21.2 million for State Aid is the current year funding amount and the maintenance of effort
level necessary to avoid reductions in federal library funding. Funding for both programs has
been significantly reduced in recent years.
Thank you for your consideration!And please, please, please keep it positive. These folks want to help us and it’s our obligation to
show them there is overwhelming positive support for library funding among Floridians!
Many, many thanks!
Charlie Parker –
Chair, Legislative Committee
Florida Library Association

Library Advocacy Needed Now

Your Library Advocacy Needed NOW
State Aid To Libraries
Take Action!

My Library is Hurting Already!

Florida Senate Committee Eliminates State Aid to Public Libraries Funding
On March 21, 2011 the Senate Transportation Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee proposed a budget entirely eliminating State Aid to Libraries funding. The reduction comes on top of local funding reductions as high as 40% and would mean branch library closings in large and small communities.
During these challenging times Floridians are using libraries more than ever for essential services like help with job seeking, use of E-Government Services, and for business information. Libraries continue to help young children develop early learning skills and help parents learn to be their child's first teacher – both critical services for children's success in school and life. Libraries provide great economic value as confirmed by a Department of State study showing libraries generate an $8.32 Return on Investment.
State Aid to Libraries has already been cut by a third since 2007-08. State Aid is funded at only $21.2 million this year. $21.2 million is also the Maintenance of Effort amount necessary for Florida to receive federal Library Services and Technology Act funding; without it, Florida will lose federal funding.
Our message to State leaders and legislators is "Thank you for your past support for public libraries and please fund State Aid to Public Libraries at the current $21.2 million."
Please keep your communications positive. These are difficult budget times. The legislators are our friends, they want to fund libraries, and they need to receive a positive message from you so that they know there is a public mandate!

Make your voice heard, even if you can't make it to DC!

In these tough economic times, Americans need their libraries more than ever. Sadly, libraries are often forgotten in times of crisis by everyone but the people who need them most. For this reason, the ALA is hosting Library Advocacy Day on June 29, 2010, on Capitol Hill.
If you can't make this event, there are still many opportunities to get involved. Please show your support for libraries the week of June 28-July 2 by participating in Virtual Library Advocacy Week. This event, which will be held in conjunction with Library Advocacy Day, will be the biggest show of library advocacy on the federal level in the history of the American Library Association. Your voice, along with over a thousand advocates rallying on Capitol Hill on the 29th, will raise awareness about the important work that libraries and librarians do on a daily basis to help kids learn to read, help people find jobs, and so much more.

A simple phone call or e-mail is all it takes. To send an e-mail, go to http://capwiz.com/ala/home/ and click on the issue you are interested in. The website will take you to a sample form letter. Customize it with stories on what your local library is doing to help people look for jobs or gain digital literacy skills as well as other programs. These examples truly matter to your elected officials.

In order to maximize our impact, when contacting your elected officials, please make the following requests:
• Fund the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) at $300 million for FY 2011. LSTA funding is distributed to states by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through population-based grants and is the only source of federal funding for public libraries.
• Fund the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program at $100 million so that students all across the country can obtain the 21st century skills they will need to succeed in college and the workplace.
If you'd like to call, you can also call the Capitol switchboard at (202)224-3121 and ask for your member of Congress. If you aren't sure who your member is, use the Capwiz link above to find out. It's really that simple.

When you're done with your call, don't forget to tweet about your experience. Just use this hashtag: #LAD2010.

Thanks for all you do.

Kristin Murphy
ALA Washington Office

Library Advocacy Day Webinar

ALA Washington Office Webinar: Virtual Library Advocacy Day

Can't come to DC for ALA's Library Advocacy Day? Have no fear! You can participate via the web. Join us for this webinar outlining the various actions you can take from the comfort of your couch or office to support the
library community's outreach in our nation's Capitol. Together, we can make a difference!

Date: Monday, June 21, 2010
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
Register now: http://bit.ly/aMWDFS

Library Funding Saved! - You Made the Difference! You Got It Done!

Thank You, Thank You! Thank You! - Last night (April 26), when the Budget Chairs restored funding for State Aid to Public Libraries it was because of your incredible work! The folks who receive these CapWiz messages made over 60,000 contacts in the last month! We estimate at least as many contacts were made outside of Capwiz! And thank you for your patience and good humor as we asked you time and time again to make those contacts!

This should confirm for all of us that committed people working for a good cause can make a difference!