Voices for Libraries 2024
March 5-6-7, 2024
Washington, D.C.
The Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) is pleased to announce, “Voices for Libraries 2024.” 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.
REGISTER HERE
Who Should Attend
Representatives from all 50 states are invited to participate.
Due to space limitations, we are asking that state delegations be kept to no more than six people.
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.
Register Your State Captain - Use this form to let us know who the official state captain will be for your state.
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
COSLA Spring Meeting 2024
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Library of Congress – Madison Building
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 6, 2024
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.
Library Advocates Reception
Reception – 5:30 – 6:30
Location TBA
Thursday, March 7, 2024
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.
* If credit card payment poses an issue for your agency, please contact the COSLA staff.
REGISTER HERE
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
The discounted rate of $329/night is available Monday, March 4 - Friday, March 8
The hotel is located ¾ of a mile Northeast of the MLK Library (venue for the 3/6 Briefing).
It is critical that COSLA sell the hotel rooms that have been reserved, please book your lodging at the Hamilton.
Reservations can be made at the link below, or by calling (866) 407-1764 and identifying yourself as a COSLA Spring Meeting participant.
The group rate is $329 per night (plus tax), a 34% discount from standard rates.
Rooms must be booked by Sunday, February 4, 2024
Hotel Room Reservation Booking Link
DC Map of Event Sites
Questions?
Contact COSLA – [email protected]
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