Legislative Committee

OLA's Legislative Committee 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

News to Use

Library Legislative Day

Past Legislative Issues & Briefs

Other Resources

Committee Members

Meeting Dates 2022-2023


Current Legislative Issue Briefs, Testimonies, and Statements

Drum roll please...

We have a new name! OLA membership voted to change the name of the Library Development and Legislation Committee or LDLC and we are now the Legislative Committee.

2024 Issues

During the 2024 Oregon Legislative Session, OLA is supporting SB 1583 which prohibits discrimination when selecting textbooks, instructional materials, program materials or library books that are used in the public schools of Oregon.  Available here are the two statements, one from the Legislative Committee and the other from the Intellectual Freedom Committee.

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

UpdateSB 1075 was introduced to require ODE to do specific work that will require they hire a new dedicated full-time staff position. The bill passed out of Senate Education to the Ways and Means Committee. Unfortunately, the bill was not funded.

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Currently, 10% of Oregon’s public libraries have internet speeds lower than the FCC’s current (and outdated) definition for broadband: 25 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads.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:

  1. 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
  2. $750,000 to be directed to the newly created Connecting Oregon Libraries Fund, established by HB 4092 in 2022

Update: SB 885, which funds the E-Rate consultant, was introduced in the 2023 Regular Session. The bill passed out of Senate Education to the Ways and Means Committee. Unfortunately, the bill was not funded.

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.

Update: The State Library budget bill was funded! 

SB 5518 includes funding for the Ready to Read grant program and State Library operations. See the Ways and Means General Government Subcommittee hearing on this bill, held on February 15, 2023. Also see the Education Committee's meeting (OLA testimony begins at 1:41) held on March 30, 2023. 

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 Legislative Committee 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 was on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at the State Library of Oregon.

Library Legislative Day included lots of fun activities:
  • 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

 

Past Activities

2021 activities included:
  • Setting 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.
  • Communicating effectively with elected officials using our new "Template for Advocacy Communication with Public Officials - 2021" document. Available now to download and customize!
  • Watching 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 in 2021, 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

OLA Board:

  • Brittany Young, President, Lane County Law Library
  • Star Khan, Past-President, Driftwood Public Library
  • Ericka Brunson-Rochette, Vice-President / President-Elect, Deschutes Public 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:

  • Diedre Conkling, retired

Meeting Dates 2022 - 2023

All virtual (Zoom), 3:30 - 5:00 pm

  • Wednesday, October 26

  • Wednesday, November 30

  • Wednesday, January 25
  • Wednesday, February 22
  • Wednesday, March 29
  • Wednesday, April 26
  • Wednesday, May 31
  • Wednesday, June 29