2023 ILA Library Legislative Meet-Ups

#ILAMeetup and #IHLSLibraries

Once again, Illinois Heartland Library System is joining the Illinois Library Association at the annual ILA Library Legislative Meet-Ups, and we encourage library trustees, directors, and staff from public, school, and academic libraries to attend and participate.

This series of legislative events provides opportunities to meet with your legislators and hear their thoughts firsthand about issues affecting libraries in your area. All elected officials on the state and federal levels are invited by ILA to attend.

The legislative events are back in person. We're excited to return to the interactive give-and-take that gathering over a meal allows. What won't change is our commitment to advocating for Illinois libraries!

Advance registration is required.

Here's how to get started:

1. Find your area's ILA Legislative Meet-up

Metro East Library Legislative Breakfast

Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023
8:30 – 10 a.m.
Sunset Hills Country Club
2525 Illinois 157
Edwardsville, Ill. 62025
Doors open and breakfast is available at 8 a.m.
Price: $35
Metro East Legislators
Register for the Metro East Meet-Up

Southern Illinois Library Legislative Lunch

Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023
12:30 – 2 p.m.
The Effingham Event Center
1501 W Fayette Avenue
Effingham, Ill. 62401
Price: $35
Doors open and lunch is available at noon.
Southern Illinois Legislators
Register for the Southern Illinois Meet-Up

Central Illinois Library Legislative Breakfast

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023
8:30 – 10 a.m.
Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel
201 Broadway Avenue
Normal, Ill. 61761
Doors open and breakfast is available at 8 a.m.
Price: $40
Central Illinois Legislators
Register for the Central Illinois Meet-Up

2. Register for the event

Registration includes a program featuring state and federal legislative briefings, library-related priorities, speakers, and Q&A with local elected officials.

Advance registration is required. Register for an ILA Meet-Up by using the relevant link above or visiting the ILA Legislative Meet-Ups information page.

3. Recruit a friend to go with you

The bigger the attendance at these events, and the more librarians and library staff members share their stories, the more powerful our collective voice.

Can you think of 3 to 5 friends/colleagues who you think should attend? Share this webpage with them by email or text, and then reach out to them with a call to ask them to go with you.
Share the news on social media. Tell your network on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter that you're going to an ILA Legislative Meet-up, and send out a call-to-action asking library staff and trustees to meet you there. Share the ILA information page or this IHLS page.

4. Prepare for the day

Use this opportunity to learn more about library-related legislation, incorporate stories into Q&A questions regarding how your library has positively impacted your patrons' lives, or invite legislators to visit your library. We also recommend that you read ILA's "Making the Most of Your Legislative Meetup," which was written by IHLS's own Kate Kite!

Learn about your representatives.

Look up your state and federal legislators.
See if your legislators have responded "yes" to attend. All federal and state representatives for Illinois have been invited to attend.
- Central Illinois Legislator Invited/Attending
- Metro East Legislators Invited/Attending
- Southern Illinois Legislators Invited/Attending
  (If they haven't RSVP'd "yes," send an email or phone call to their offices to encourage them to attend!)
Visit your representatives' websites to learn about their political priorities.

Review the issues.

Visit the ILA Legislative Issues hub to review (and perhaps print) the ILA's summaries of the top library-related legislative issues and ILA's position on them:
- Illinois Legislative Issues
- Federal Legislative Issues
BONUS POINTS 1: Read summaries of specific issues and links to more resources on the ILA Making Your Case page.
BONUS POINTS 2: Review ILA's library advocacy toolkit, Ready, Set, Advocate!

Prepare a few questions for your representatives during the meal.

During the meal, you'll be able to discuss issues with our legislators. In addition to asking questions, consider ways to incorporate very short stories into conversation. Remember, you'll be attending to kindly persuade.

5. Attend the meet-up

On the day of the event, plan to arrive when doors open.
Make sure you're dressed professionally to ensure that Illinois libraries are well represented.
Share your day on social media using #ILAMeetup and #IHLSLibraries. Tag your officials, too!

6. Follow up with your legislators after the event

Retrieve the contact information for your state and federal legislators.
Contact them and thank them for attending the meet-up.
- Comment on something heard at the meet-up.
- Invite them to your library or to schedule an individual meeting.