Voices for Libraries 2025
March 5-6, 2025 in Washington D.C.
The Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) is pleased to announce, “Voices for Libraries 2025.” This event invites library advocates from every state to travel to Washington, DC to talk with legislators about the importance of libraries and to advocate for support.
Who Should Attend
Representatives from all 50 states are encouraged to participate.
Due to space limitations, we are asking that state delegations be kept to no more than eight people.
If you are interested in attending, please reach out to your State Library Agency for details.
State Captains
Each State Library Agency (SLA) will appoint a “State Captain.” This individual will be responsible for coordinating attendees from their state, requesting and confirming meetings with their elected representatives, and reporting out on the meetings. The State Captain will be the primary contact for each state and will serve as the communications conduit. The State Captain can be the Chief Officer, a State Library Agency Staffer, a representative of the State Library Association, or any library advocate who is committed to fulfilling the obligations of the role. It is intended that each state captain ATTEND the event in DC.
A roster of state captains will be added to this page. You may reach out to your state captain for more information on registering and participating in Voices for Libraries 2025.
Priorities
The Voices for Libraries 2025 event will focus on advancing:
• Federal Funding for Libraries
• Reauthorization of the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA)
• Support for Literacy
• Broadband as a Human Right
Talking points and supporting details on these issues will be provided to event participants.
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
COSLA Spring Meeting 2025
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
This full-day gathering is exclusively for the Chief Officers. The Spring Meeting is a business and general interest meeting and is not related to advocacy.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Voice for Libraries – Briefing Day
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM*
MLK Jr. Branch of the DC Public Library
The Briefing will include presentations from seasoned advocates and policy experts to ensure that everyone is prepared for their visits to the Hill. Briefing Day will include coffee and light refreshments at the start of the day, and lunch for all participants. A registration fee will be collected for the Briefing Day to offset hospitality and administrative costs.
* The exact schedule for the Briefing Day program has not yet been completed. The AM portion of the program will be targeted to new advocates, and the PM portion as a general briefing for all participants.
Library Advocates Reception
Reception – 5:30 – 6:30
Location TBA
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Voices for Libraries – Day of Action (Hill Day)
All Day
Individual Meetings as set by each state delegation.
Each state is responsible for setting its own meetings with their elected representatives ’ offices. The meetings should be coordinated via the State Captain. COSLA will provide a meeting folder on the Briefing Day, to include general information and talking points. Each state will produce its state-specific materials (using a provided template).
Voice for Libraries Registration
Registration is $89/person and is payable via credit card at the time of registration.*
Registration needs to be submitted for EACH delegate who plans to attend the Voices for Libraries Briefing Day event. Registration will open in January 2025.
* If credit card payment poses an issue for your agency, please contact the COSLA staff.
Lodging
A room block specifically for the Voice for Libraries event is available:
The Hamilton Hotel
1001 14th St NW,
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (877) 714-7625
Booking details will be provided to those who have registered.
DC Map of Event Sites
Questions?
Contact COSLA – [email protected]
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