All,
The 111th TN General Assembly convenes for the first time tomorrow at noon, and now is a GREAT time to reach out to your State Representative and State Senator. You can email them or call them—or both!
Why are you calling and/or emailing?
- To congratulate them on their election/re-election.
- To tell them you are available as a reference resource.
- To offer your facility for any town hall/meeting
- To tell them to watch for your invitation to tour your library.
- TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE THEM ON MARCH 12—TN LIBRARY LEGISLATIVE DAY!
Here are links to 2 spreadsheets: One for the
State House and one for the
State Senate. If you know your reps, you can scroll through to find them. If you don't know your reps,
this interactive map can help you find them.
Our National Reps have just gone to work as well. It's very easy to find their contact information through
ALA's Engage website. All you do is punch in your Zip code, and voila! they appear with their contact info!
Since Marsha Blackburn is a new Senator, it would be great if a bunch of librarians reached out to her, welcomed her, and maybe even offerred their library spaces as a makeship office until she gets her local offices up and running. Senator Alexander really came through for us in the HELP committee re: Library funding, so it would be cool if several called or wrote and thanked him—and invite him to your library! Offer to host a town hall in your meeting room. Offer to serve on any committee or interest group they may be setting up to hear from constituents.
The important thing is: NOW is a PERFECT time to start building a relationship with your elected reps so they are aware of your library, its impact in their district, and its needs.
Best,
Sharon Kay Edwards, MSLS
Legislative Monitor, Tennessee Library Association
