Utah Library Advocacy
Dear Utah Library Association Members,
As you might imagine, Utah Library Advocacy looks a little different in 2021 than in previous years, but there are still opportunities to gain advocacy skills and interact with your representatives safely during the 2021 legislative session (which starts today—January 20!).
While we had hoped to build on the success of Library Day on the Hill (LDOTH) 2020 with a second annual LDOTH, unfortunately, we will not be able to meet with our state representatives in person due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, we are following the lead of our advocacy partner, Utah Cultural Alliance, who has organized “45 Days of Advocacy” to empower all of us to become engaged and informed advocates for Utah arts, culture, and libraries.
In addition to the 45 Days of Advocacy campaign, members of the ULA Advocacy Committee will be participating in strategic meetings to advocate for ULA’s targeted ask for 2021, which is legislative support for the Utah State Board of Education’s priority “Expanded Access to Broadband for $5 million one-time and $350,000 ongoing.” The $350k represents $150k for the new digital equity position and $200k is for the digital equity grant program, which would all be housed in the Utah State Library Division. This request would be a funding request in the education budget as opposed to legislation, and Jennifer Daily Provost of the House is the legislative sponsor.
Stay safe, everyone, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions regarding ULA’s advocacy efforts during the 2021 Utah State Legislative Session.
Rebekah Cummings, ULA Advocacy Committee, Co-Chair
Peter Bromberg, ULA Advocacy Committee, Co-Chair