ALA Washington Office

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Social Changes: we’re moving our facebook & twitter pages - District Dispatch The American Library Association is making a few changes in the social media world. To make sure that social library supporters receive ALA news from the entire organization, ALA leaders are going to share news items and updates from two…Read more ›

Library patrons are required to understand the new health care website, even as they lack basic computer skills, email addresses and access to the Internet.

Public libraries taxed by demands of Affordable Care Act | Al Jazeera America Overextended libraries face patrons who need help with the online-only health insurance application

How much do you know about library ballot measures? Libraries depend on local library ballot measures to independently advocate for specific library initiatives among the voting public.

Want to increase tax levies for your library? Learn from the best - District Dispatch How much do you know about library ballot measures? Libraries depend on local library ballot measures to independently advocate for specific library initiatives among the voting public. Around the country, library revenue is mostly based on property taxes, which are…Read more ›

The Digital Inclusion Survey will allow us to update our understanding of library connectivity. But this doesn’t happen without public library staff participation in the survey.

Digital Inclusion Survey deadline extended to Nov. 22 The Digital Inclusion Survey will allow us to update our understanding of library connectivity, and, even more importantly, what that connectivity is enabling for our communities in relation to digital literacy, economic and workforce development, civic engagement and more. But this doesn’t happen w...

Does your library provide assistive technology for patrons who are blind or have low vision? Join free Edge webinar on assistive technology November 20 at 11am PST

Join free Edge webinar on assistive technology Join the Edge team in a webinar to learn from the Itasca Community Library (IL), which provides special technology, services, materials and equipment for patrons with vision impairments. With generous support from their local Lions Club, a Vision Center was created in the library.

Google Book Search Case Dismissed - District Dispatch Today marks yet another big victory for libraries in the courts. U.S. District Court Judge Denny Chin has issued a judgment in Authors Guild v....

"The three-year initiative includes three major components: 1) Establishing policy priorities, 2) Engaging decision makers and influencers to advance policy goals, and 3) Upgrading ALA policy advocacy practice and capabilities for long-term sustainability."

Raising library visibility in Washington - District Dispatch Today, the American Library Association’s Office for Information Technology Policy announced that the organization will immediately begin work on a...

Getting patron questions about the new health law? Register for the free webinar "Health Happens in Libraries." Space is limited!

Health Happens in Libraries: Supporting Patron Information Needs Join WebJunction for a webinar to hear from library representatives about the types of information requests they have received in the first several weeks of open enrollment, and what they have learned in responding. ACA experts will also be on hand to share key policy updates and answer questions du...

"Many libraries are fortunate to receive financial support from foundations for varied purposes. Going beyond funding, however, foundations have special credibility in the realm of public policy."

-Alan Inouye

http://www.districtdispatch.org/2013/11/libraries-e-rate-solid-foundations/

Fighting for privacy: My time at the anti-NSA rally

http://www.districtdispatch.org/2013/11/fighting-privacy-time-anti-nsa-rally/

ALA ready to bring high-capacity broadband to libraries with FCC's O'Rielly and Wheeler http://wp.me/p1zex0-2Y2

ALA ready to bring high-capacity broadband to libraries with FCC's O'Rielly and Wheeler The American Library Association congratulates Tom Wheeler and Michael O’Rielly on their Senate confirmation to the Federal Communications Commission. As Senator Thune referenced in Wheeler’s nomination hearing last June, this is a pivotal… [ 219 more words. ]

Libraries are essential!

"Librarians to the Rescue" This week is the one year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy. Did you know your public librarians are trained first responders? Watch how the people of Queens tu...