Legislative advocacy is essential to achieving equitable and permanent public access to trustworthy legal information and continuous improvement in access to justice. As legal information experts, law librarians influence lawmakers on many policy issues including copyright, access to trustworthy legal information, access to justice, and privacy.
AALL provides resources and opportunities to learn about the legal information policy issues impacting the profession and strengthen your legislative advocacy skills. By engaging in strategic advocacy, you will establish effective relationships with lawmakers; build strong, unified coalitions; and influence policy solutions to legal information issues.
Know the Issues
Federal Issues
AALL advocates on many critical information policy issues, including greater access to official, authentic, and preservation government information; balanced copyright laws; a more open government; and privacy for library users.
Recently, the AALL president and members of the Association have testified before Congress on legislative proposals that support a modern Federal Depository Library Program, lobbied for greater access to court records through the Public Access Court Electronic Records (PACER) system, and responded to inquiries from Congressional staff asking for input on emerging policy issues and legislative proposals.
AALL members add their voices and personal stories to lobbying efforts by building relationships with lawmakers and taking action on advocacy campaigns.
State Issues
AALL works with chapters and individuals to ensure greater access to government information at the state level. Recently, AALL members and chapters have advocated in favor of access to official electronic legal materials and to support funding for county libraries. We also advocate in favor of enactment of the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act (UELMA), a priority issue of AALL.
Influence Your Lawmakers
Members of Congress listen to the needs and opinions of constituents like you to make decisions about legislation. Building relationships with lawmakers and their staff and telling engaging stories about the impact of legislative proposals on your law library and community make lasting change.
- Master your elevator pitch to effectively deliver your message.
- Email or call Congress on legislative issues.
- Host a library tour for your lawmakers. Library tours may be done virtually.
- Visit your Representative and Senators when they’re in Washington, DC or when they’re home, or even virtually. A personal visit is the most effective means of communicating with Congress.
Join Us!
Former Speaker of the House Thomas “Tip” O’Neill is famous for the phrase, “All politics is local.” AALL strongly believes that getting the participation of members and chapters is essential to public policy successes for law libraries.
We invite you to read the latest Washington eBulletin, join the AALL Advocates Community, and take action on our current alerts. Please contact Emily Feltren, AALL’s director of government relations, with any questions.