WLA PRIORITIES FOR 2007 LEGISLATIVE ACTION

The following are the WLA Priorities that were discussed with legislators at Library Legislative Day, on January 23rd.

• Increase state funding for PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM AIDS to 13% of local library expenditures, as specified in Wisconsin statutes.
• Support full funding for BADGERLINK.
• Preserve the use of the UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND for BadgerLink and other library services.
• Increase funding necessary to support traditional service levels for STATE CONTRACTS: 1) Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped; 2) Cooperative Children's Book Center; 3) Wisconsin Library Services (WiLS); 4) Milwaukee Public Library/Interlibrary Loan.
• Support increased funding of the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM LIBRARIES.
• Oppose the diversion of the COMMON SCHOOL FUND for purposes other than the purchase of school library materials.
• Support the need for libraries to have access to ADEQUATE BANDWIDTH.
• Support PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT enabling legislation.
• Support the WISCONSIN STATE LAW LIBRARY and the MILWAUKEE COUNTY AND DANE COUNTY LEGAL RESOURCE LIBRARIES.
• Oppose the so-called "65 PERCENT SOLUTION" or other proposals of this type which mandate that a specific percentage of funding for educational institutions be spent on classroom instruction.
• Support a measure which would allow public library boards to transfer bequests and other gifts to a related charitable foundation.
• Support exemption of county library expenditures from any county levy limits.
• Support access to GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS/DOCUMENTS.
• Support full funding for the WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY LIBRARY.
• Support the employment of at least one full-time CERTIFIED SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST in every school and additional library media specialist and certified instructional technology professionals in school with more than 650 students. WLA supports legislative changes in Standard H to enable this.
• Continue to promote the importance of PUBLICLY-FUNDED FREE AND OPEN ACCESS to library materials to all.
• Support continuation of MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT funding levels by local units of government as a requirement for public library system membership.

The WLA, WLTA, & this blog will furnish you with information throughout the year as specific pieces of legislation come up, so you can contact your legislators and advise them as to how you and those who support your library feel on these issues.