Frequently Asked Questions

▪ Does my voice really make a difference?

The simple answer is yes! Your lawmakers want to know what you think about issues that impact law libraries. After all, you're a constituent and you'll be responsible for re-electing them. By making your voice heard through letters, emails, phone calls, and visits, you have the opportunity to influence your legislator's opinion. Your opinion and your stories help your lawmaker decide what is important to his or her constituents.

▪ Is it better to call, write, or email my member of Congress?

Individuals:

Federal level: In general, it is better to call or email your member of Congress. Since the Anthrax attacks in 2001, written letters to Congress and some agencies must go through a screening process. That process causes major delays in getting your letters to Capitol Hill.

If the matter is urgent, we encourage you to make a phone call to your representatives Washington, D.C. or district office. To find your Senators' and Representative's phone numbers, you can call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for them by name, or search for your member on the House or Senate Web site. If we're asking you to take action, we'll provide you with links to your member's contact information and specific talking points on the issue at hand.

Chapters:

Federal level: When the Government Relations Office asks you to take action, it's usually in the form of writing a letter. To avoid the screening delays and ensure your letter ends up in the right hands, Advocacy Communications Assistant Emily Feldman will hand-deliver your letters to the appropriate Congressional office on Capitol Hill. We will also usually ask you to send the letter (by snail-mail, fax or by dropping it off in-person (the best method)) to your members' District Office.

State level: At the state level, the best communication methods are usually in-person visits, letters, and telephone calls.

▪ How do I write a letter to my member of Congress?

When writing a letter to your representative, there are some basic rules to follow.

Individuals and Chapters:
When the Government Relations Office asks individuals and chapters to take action, we'll provide you with background information and our key talking points. We may also draft a sample letter in which we'll encourage personalization. Your stories will grab your representative's attention, so don't be shy to share them!

Here are some general rules to keep in mind when writing a letter to your representative:

1. Stick to one issue. The most effective way to deliver your message is to keep your message short, clear and concise.

2. Be specific. Provide bill numbers when possible.

3. Articulate your support or opposition to the issue.

4. Include an "ask". Be clear as to what you'd like your member of Congress to do, e.g., co-sponsor the bill, reverse his or her opposition to it, etc.

Addressing your letter:

To a Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
Room number and name of Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator (last name):

To a Representative:
The Honorable (full name)
Room number and name of Senate Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative (last name):

When writing to the Chair of a Committee or the Speaker of the House, it is proper to address them as Mr. Chairman or Madam Chairwoman or Madam Speaker or Mr. Speaker.

▪ How do I track state legislation?

Individuals:
To get started tracking legislation in your state, ask yourself these simple questions:

1. What are the dates of the legislative session? Check the Government Relations Committee's state bill tracking chart to see if your state is listed. If not, you can find information on the National Conference of State Legislatures' Legislative Calendar.

2. Who are my representatives?

3. What issues is the legislature likely to address this session? For example, given the current economic crisis, will important programs be cut? Read local newspapers for some ideas. Also check for local blogs that track issues in the state legislature.

4. Explore the legislature's Web site for tools to keep you up-to-date on the legislature's work. Does your state offer RSS feeds or emails? If so, sign up to receive them. Do the same on the Web sites of your own representatives. If they don't offer such services, bookmark these sites and visit them a few times a month during the session (less frequently when the session is out). The Government Relations Committee's state bill tracking chart includes links to free bill tracking services offered by many states.

You may also want to search for keywords such as:

• County Law Libraries
• State depository library program
• Digital authentication
• Preservation
• Public access
• Freedom of information
• Privacy

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