DLA

Legislative Action Day – Thank you!

The Delaware Library Association held its first in-person Legislative Action Day since 2019, on May 3, 2023. The event was an opportunity for DLA members, library workers, supporters, leaders, and community stakeholders to meet with legislators and discuss how libraries support their communities. Over 40 people participated in Legislative Action Day and met with over 30 legislators.

The day started with a networking breakfast at the Dover Public Library. Attendees then tabled in Legislative Hall and met with their representatives. Advocates:

– Discussed an increase to the State Standards Fund; with an additional $5 more per resident, Delaware libraries can expand physical collections, digital & instructional resources, and partnerships, as well as meet increased staffing & operating costs.
– Encouraged legislators to reach out to school superintendents in their districts about joining the Delaware Library Catalog
– Requested the bond bill be fully funded.

Our legislators were able to share their community priorities and discuss how academic, public, school, and special libraries can help meet the needs of the community.

Legislative Action Day was also an opportunity to celebrate Senate Concurrent Resolution 28 (SCR38) proclaiming April 24-29, 2023 as Delaware Libraries Week 2023. Thank you to Senator Huxtable and Representative Baumbach for sponsoring the resolution and to everyone who voted for its passage.

The day ended with a cookie break to celebrate and thank legislators as well as their aides and staff for everything that they do.

If you weren’t able to attend the day in person, please schedule a meeting with your legislators. You can also write to them and ask them to support DLA’s “One Ask.”

Thank you to our library advocates and legislators for making it such a successful day!

For more photos from the event, please click on this link.