Library Development and Legislation Committee
OLA's Library Development and Legislation Committee (LDLC) is a standing committee that exists to:
- Establish plans for improvement of libraries in Oregon through study and recommendation of plans for the use of state and federal funds, as well as through exploration of other sources of funding (e.g., foundation grants)
- Establish priorities for legislative action which may affect all types of libraries in Oregon
Use the following links to navigate this page:
Current Legislative Issue Briefs, Testimonies, and Statements
2023 Issues
Stronger Media Standards and More Teacher Librarians in K-12 Schools
Research explicitly links a strong school library program with increased student achievement and graduation rates, which is why OLA is requesting the Legislature implement recommendations from the Budget Note for Media Program Standards Study Report
Topic handout by OLA Lobbyist Tess Milio
Ready to Read Grants and the State Library Budget
Oregon’s public libraries use the Ready to Read grants to help children learn to read and to maintain their literacy skills as they grow. OLA strongly supports the State Library’s budget, including Ready to Read grants at their current level of $1,653,457, or $1.10 per child.
Topic handout by OLA Lobbyist Tess Milio
E-Rate Consultant and the Connecting Oregon Libraries Fund
Currently, 10% of Oregon’s public libraries have internet speeds lower than the FCC’s current (and outdated) definition for broadband: 25 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads. With the FCC considering updating the definition of broadband to speeds of 100 Mbps download and 100 upload, we risk up to 40% of Oregon public libraries not meeting this baseline for service. To tackle this, OLA is asking for:
- A part-time consultant to contract with the State Library to act as a E-Rate consultant for all of Oregon’s public libraries; and
-
$750,000 to be directed to the newly created Connecting Oregon Libraries Fund, established by HB 4092 in 2022
Topic handout by OLA Lobbyist Tess Milio
Ongoing Issues
Media Standards Study Report
Law libraries
News to Use
News to Use is a series of messages from the LDLC about policy and advocacy topics of interest to the Oregon library community.
OLA Library Legislative Day
OLA hosts legislative activities for library staff in odd years, coinciding with the long sessions of the Oregon Legislature.
This year's Legislative Day will be on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at the State Library of Oregon.
Please RSVP or sign up to volunteer!
Library Legislative Day will include lots of fun activities, including:
- Learning about OLA's legislative agenda for 2023 and tips for speaking with legislators
- Attending scheduled meetings with your local legislators
- Helping legislators donate children's books to their local libraries
- Supporting the State Library by attending their budget hearing
- Chatting informally with colleagues, legislators, and their staff at OLA’s evening (5:00-6:30 pm) reception
See the full schedule of events
Past Activities
2021 activities included:
- Set up a virtual meeting appointment with your legislator!
- What happens during these meetings? First time participants may want to watch this short video to see an example.
- Communicate effectively with elected officials using our new "Template for Advocacy Communication with Public Officials - 2021" document. Available now to download and customize!
- Watch our 30-minute Legislative Advocacy Training Webinar: "Prepare to Talk to Your Legislator!" to get the latest updates on the three bills supported by OLA, along with tips for successfully conveying your message to legislators.
Past Legislative Issues & Briefs
Past legislative issues & briefs are archived here.
Other Resources
Contacting Congress? Find your legislators here.
2022-2023 Committee Members
Co-Chairs:
- Jeremy Skinner, Curry Public Library District
- Kim Olson-Charles, University of Western States
OLA Board:
- Star Khan, President, Driftwood Public Library
- Arlene Weible, Past-President, State Library of Oregon
- Brittany Young, Vice-President / President-Elect, Lane County Law Library
Voting Members:
- Janelle Youngblood, State Library of Oregon
- Jeana Menger, Oregon Episcopal School
- Kathy Street, Oregon Trail Library District
- Brian Ball, West Slope Library
- Shaun Hearn, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
- Kari May, Jackson County Library District
- Kristin Williams, Blue Mountain Community College
Ex Officio Members:
- OLA Lobbyist: Tess Milio, Milio Capitol Consulting
- State Librarian: Wendy Cornelisen
- State Law Librarian: Cathryn Bowie
- OASL representatives: Kate Weber, Reynolds School District and Jean Gritter, Greater Albany Public Schools
- ACRL representative: Kirsten Hostetler, Central Oregon Community College
- IFC representative: Emily O'Neal, Deschutes Public Library
- State Library of Oregon, Library Support and Development Services representative: Buzzy Nielsen
Emeritus Members:
Meeting Dates 2022 - 2023
All virtual (Zoom), 3:30 - 5:00 pm
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Wednesday, October 26
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Wednesday, November 30
- Wednesday, January 25
- Wednesday, February 22
- Wednesday, March 29
- Wednesday, April 26
- Wednesday, May 31
- Wednesday, June 29
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