Edited by Ryan Godfrey February 2020 Get involved. SPECIAL ISSUE 2019 was a banner year for alabama libraries. let’s make it even greater in 2020! In 2019, our state lawmakers chose to fund library State Aid at more than $1.00 per capita for the first time since 2009 because they understand how imperative quality public library services are to the health of Alabama’s communities large and small. Additionally, Alabama legislators thoughtfully chose to expand the Alabama Supercomputer Authority’s (ASA) role in providing blazing fast internet throughout the state to allow 116 public libraries to also tap into this broadband network. Take the opportunity this 2020 legislative session to inform your legislators how much their support means to the vitality of your library. Last year was a banner year, but the new year brings us a host of topics to discuss, including the census, suporting workforce development, and continued funding for the ASA broadband initiative. Alabama’s libraries impact communities, and 94 percent of people agree that a library improves the quality of life of the community they serve. Alabama public libraries APLS Director Nancy C. Pack presents the Bicentennial children’s book, Alabama: My Home Sweet Home! by Charles Ghigna, as a gift to provide access to fast broadband internet, prepare students Governor Ivey after she signs a proclamation supporting libraries for today’s competitive job market, offer STEM-learning activities, assist citizens in applying for government services, and enhance small business development. Sen. Vivian Figures takes a moment to pose with APLS staff at the Alabama Library Association Legislative Day in May 2019 Rep. Howard Sanderford talks to APLS Reference Librarian Alex Perry about services provided through the state library 2 Orr, PoolE to receive 2020 ALLA public servant award Sen. Arthur Orr and Rep. Bill Poole are co-recipients of the 2020 Alabama Library Association Public Servant Award to be presented at the ALLA Annual Convention in April. The state lawmakers are receiving this honor for making significant contributions to maintain adequate funding for library-related initiatives that impact Alabama’s citizens including State Aid, the Alabama Virtual Library, Homework Alabama, and providing an increase operations funding for the Alabama Sen. Arthur Orr Rep. Bill Poole Supreme Court and Law Library. library services within the state Alabama. Education Committee since 2013. The ALLA Public Service Award is presented Poole has served the 63rd district in the Orr, a state senator since 2006, serves the to public officials who make significant Alabama House of Representatives since 2010. third district, and has chaired the Finance and contributions toward the development of He has served as chair of the Ways and Means Taxation Education Committee since 2017. Take Note Feb. 20, 2020 — Special Administrators’ Meeting Feb. 21, 2020 — Deadline for Bicentennial program submissions to APLS March 26, 2020 — ALLA Legislative Day April 1, 2020 — Census Day Have story ideas or suggestions for upcoming issues? Contact Ryan Godfrey at [email protected] or 334-213-3909. 3 2020 Legislative Update ALABAMA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION The Alabama Legislative session began Feb. 4 and will Libraries Impact Communities run through May 18. In 2020, APLS is requesting a total of $12,530,191 in funding to ensure all citizens of Alabama have access to quality information and library services. These funds are divided into four categories: 1. State Aid: These state-approved funds go directly to public libraries and are based on per capita. At the present, State Aid is at $1.11 per capita. APLS is requesting funding at $1.13 cents per capita (an increase of 2 percent from previous year). $5,527,255. 2. Homework Alabama: State and federal funds are used to purchase this database. APLS is requesting $295,000 for the service, and federal matches this amount dollar for dollar. The requested amount represents level funding from the previous year. 3. APLS Operations: State funds provide operating expenses, supplies, minor building repairs, and federal match dollars also support the Library Development and the Blind and Physically Handicapped Library. APLS is requesting $3,592,958 for operations (an increase of 5 percent from previous year). 4. Alabama Virtual Library: State funds enable AVL to provide all students, teachers, and Alabama citizens with online access to essential library and information resources. AVL is requesting $3,570,000 for the service (an increase of 5 percent from previous year). Of note, a key legislator, Rep. Steve Clouse, is sponsoring an education lottery bill that will direct half of the revenues to Alabama pre-K with the other half going to needs-based college scholarships. When contacting state lawmakers, public libraries should voice a strong connection to education as this should be a big talking point throughout the entire legislative session. With emphasis of the lottery bill focusing on pre-K, it is vital to stress to state lawmakers how libraries reach the state’s youngest populations to aid in their social skills and speech development even before they are preschool-aged. Also, the Alabama Library Association (ALLA) Legislative Day is set for Thursday, March 26, and it will be held on the sixth floor of the Alabama State House. As always, we look forward to seeing you there, and encourage you to reach out ALLA to your representatives and voice your specific concerns. LEGISLATIVE DAY MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA The 2020 ALLA Legislative Day will be held March 26 at the Alabama State House 4 45 2020 Issue Winter alabamaag.gov agi.alabama.gov treasury.alabama.gov 334-242-7300 / Fax: 334-242-4891 Fax: / 334-242-7300 334-240-7100 / Fax: 334-240-7190 334-240-7190 Fax: / 334-240-7100 334-242-7500 / Fax: 334-242-7592 Fax: / 334-242-7500 Montgomery, AL 36104 AL Montgomery, Montgomery, AL 36107 36107 AL Montgomery, Montgomery, AL 36104 AL Montgomery, 501 Washington Ave. Washington 501 1445 Federal Drive Drive Federal 1445 600 Dexter Ave., Room S-106 Room Ave., Dexter 600 JOHN MCMILLAN JOHN PATE RICK — INDUSTRIES & MARSHALL STEVE TREASURER STATE AGRICULTURE OF COMMISSIONER GENERAL ATTORNEY Compiled by Business Alabama, www.businessalabama.com Compiled by Business auditor.alabama.gov sos.alabama.gov Fax: 334-242-7650 Fax: 334-242-4993 Fax: 334-242-7010 334-242-7200 Montgomery, AL 36130 AL Montgomery, 36130 AL Montgomery, Room S-101 Room S-105 Suite Ave. Dexter 600 Ave. Dexter 600 JIM ZEIGLER JIM MERRILL JOHN AUDITOR STATE STATE OF SECRETARY governor.alabama.gov ltgov.alabama.gov 334-353-0004 Fax: Fax: 334-242-4661 Fax: 334-242-7100 334-261-9590 36130 AL Montgomery, Montgomery, AL 36130 AL Montgomery, Ave. Dexter 600 11 S. Union St. # 725 # St. Union S. 11 Capitol State WILL AINSWORTH WILL IVEY KAY GOV. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Alabama’s Constitutional Officers Constitutional Alabama’s GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT Alabama’s Constitutional Officers GOVERNOR LIEUTENANT GOV. KAY IVEY WILL AINSWORTH State Capitol 11 S. Union St. # 725 600 Dexter Ave. Montgomery, AL 36130 Montgomery, AL 36130 334-261-9590 334-242-7100 Fax: 334-242-4661 Fax: 334-353-0004 ltgov.alabama.gov governor.alabama.gov SECRETARY OF STATE STATE AUDITOR JOHN MERRILL JIM ZEIGLER 600 Dexter Ave. 600 Dexter Ave. Suite S-105 Room S-101 Montgomery, AL 36130 Montgomery, AL 36130 334-242-7200 334-242-7010 Fax: 334-242-4993 Fax: 334-242-7650 sos.alabama.gov auditor.alabama.gov Compiled by Business Alabama, www.businessalabama.com Compiled by Business ATTORNEY GENERAL COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE STATE TREASURER STEVE MARSHALL & INDUSTRIES — RICK PATE JOHN MCMILLAN 501 Washington Ave. 1445 Federal Drive 600 Dexter Ave., Room S-106 Montgomery, AL 36104 Montgomery, AL 36107 Montgomery, AL 36104 334-242-7300 / Fax: 334-242-4891 334-240-7100 / Fax: 334-240-7190 334-242-7500 / Fax: 334-242-7592 alabamaag.gov agi.alabama.gov treasury.alabama.gov 2020 LegislativeWinter Issue 2020 Directory 455 Alabama’s Congressional Members U.S. SENATORS SENATOR SENATOR RICHARD DOUG JONES (D) SHELBY (R) 326 Russell Senate Office Building 304 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20002 Washington, D.C. 20510 202-224-4124 202-224-5744 jones.senate.gov Compiled by Business Alabama, www.businessalabama.com Compiled by Business shelby.senate.gov Federal Courthouse FMJ Federal Courthouse 1 Church St., Ste. 500-B 15 Lee St., Ste. 208 Montgomery, AL 36104 334-230-0698 / Fax: 334-293-9349 Montgomery, AL 36104 334-223-7303 Committees: Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Health, Education, Committees: Appropriations, Chairman; Labor and Pensions; Armed Services; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Special Committee on Aging Environment and Public Works; Rules Chief of Staff: Dana Gresham and Administration Communications Director: Heather Fluit Chief of Staff: Dayne Cutrell Press Secretary: Alyssa Pettus U.S. REPRESENTATIVES ROBERT ADERHOLT (R) MO BROOKS (R) BRADLEY BYRNE (R) GARY PALMER (R) District 4: District 5: District 1: District 6: Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Jackson, Baldwin, Escam- Blount, Bibb, Colbert, Cullman, Lauderdale, bia, Coosa, Chilton, DeKalb, Etowah, Lawrence, Mobile and Wash- Shelby and parts Fayette, Franklin, Limestone ington counties of Jefferson Jackson, Lamar, & Madison and parts of Lawrence, Marion, Clarke County Marshall, Tuscaloosa, Walker & Winston 1203 Longworth Building 2246 Rayburn House Office Building 119 Cannon House Office Building 207 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, DC 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-4876/Fax: 202-225-5587 202-225-4801 (202) 225-4931/Fax: (202) 225-0562 202-225-4921/Fax: 202-225-2082 aderholt.house.gov brooks.house.gov byrne.house.gov palmer.house.gov 2101 W. Clinton Ave., Ste. 302 11 N. Water St., Ste. 15290, 247 Carl Elliot Building 3535 Grandview Pkwy. Ste. 525 Huntsville, AL 35805 Mobile, AL 36602 Birmingham, AL 35243 1710 Alabama Ave.