Hello TN Library Land!
I wanted to reach out to you and share an exciting piece of news and give you a few recommended actions.
- Secretary Hargett featured Nashville Public Library on his Social media accounts! Check it out with this link to the Twitter post and this link to his FB page. It would be SO GREAT if this post got a lot of RT's, shares, and likes. Your Library's social media page can share it!
- There are THREE legislators in this photo along with Secretary Hargett:
- In addition to amplifying Secretary Hargett's post, It would be VERY COOL if you sent an email, tweet, or a FB post to them to thank them for their library support. (maybe toss in a quick mention that you hope to see more library support from their colleagues on the Hill next session, and you look forward to seeing them at TN Library Legislative Day?)
- A few days ago, ALA's DC Office asked me to invite TN's Congresspeople to a Lunch and Learn about libraries, Summer Reading, and the Summer Slide. The office emailed me back and said a staffer from Sen. Blackburn's office attended and was VERY interested and inquisitive. They suggested it would be a GREAT time to invite the Senator to visit a library during the Summer Recess, which begins August 3rd. (Congressional calendar found here) SO...Who's going to send her an invitation?
- It's a GREAT time to have legislators in your library. You'll be fresh off of SRP, and full of program participation data! Take this time to show off!
- Now is a good time to invite, not just Senator Blackburn, but ALL of your reps. Reach out and invite a Member of Congress or a state lawmaker INTO YOUR LIBRARY! Then, I can send out an email featuring YOUR legislative visit and social media links.
- Take a few minutes and watch this video from ALA about how important it is to have your legislators INSIDE THE LIBRARY! (My favorite part of this video is that you can hear children playing in the background while the Congresswoman is being interviewed! Libraries are so vibrant!)
- Last but not least, Congratulations Nashville Public, and great work!
All the best,
Sharon Kay Edwards, MSLS
Legislative Monitor, Tennessee Library Association
