Advocacy Updates
The Kentucky legislative session is now underway, and the stakes are high for school libraries. Over the past few sessions, we’ve seen proposals that could hinder students' access to information and learning opportunities and we know that additional measures are a possibility this year. Surrounding states are already feeling the effects of new laws that limit their students’ freedom to read, so we must be proactive to prevent this kind of adverse legislation in Kentucky.
Here’s how you can make an impact:
**Monitor Updates**
We will share timely information about proposed bills that are affecting libraries through our social media and this email list. KASL’s bill tracker is under construction and will appear on this page of the KASL website when it goes live! Bills are no longer pre-filed before the Kentucky legislative session begins, so we don’t know what is coming until it arrives on the chamber’s floor. 2025 will be a “short session”, so there also is less time for us to be able to take action and have an influence if we don’t move quickly. We are currently digging through the 150+ bills that have already been filed since the session began on January 7th and we will prioritize tracking the ones that could affect our work.
**Engage Your Representatives**
A quick email or call can make a significant difference. What you say to your own representative often means more than what a group or organization says. One of the best ways to get your local legislators’ attention is by reaching out to build a relationship before there is a crisis. What’s important to YOU as a citizen? You can send your representatives a letter via email or “snail mail” to let them know about the issues on your mind as the session begins. KASL has drafted some letter templates to get you started as you write, but we encourage you to make these messages your own and tell your story about why you care about school libraries. We do not recommend sending negative communications or criticisms from your school/work email as those may be better suited to being sent from a personal account in your role as a concerned citizen. Our “short session” goal is to make progress on building positive relationships to educate our decision-makers about the great things that school librarians and school libraries do to support teaching and learning.
Do you need help finding contact information for your legislators?
Information about ALL Kentucky legislators and the current leadership of the House and Senate can be found on the Kentucky General Assembly Website.
Not sure who your current legislators are? Try using this map to find out!
AND —**KY Library Legislative Day is happening on February 13th, 2025**! Mark your calendar to join us in Frankfort to advocate for policies that protect school libraries. Whether you’re interested in joining us in person OR participating in an email blast remotely, please fill out this form to let us know about your interest in this advocacy event! We will follow up with you with more information if you fill out this form.
Together, we can champion the rights of students and ensure that our school libraries remain centers of inspiration and equity!
With gratitude,
Emily Northcutt
Advocacy Chair, Kentucky Association of School Librarians (KASL)
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Finally! Thank you for hanging in there to the end of this newsletter! Please join our social media channels. We will be back in touch soon!
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