The AALL Government Relations Office (GRO) is located just blocks
from Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Staff work on information policy
issues in accordance with AALL's
Government Relations Policy and in consultation with the
Copyright Committee,
Digital Access to Legal Information Committee,
Government Relations Committee, and, where necessary or appropriate, the President or Executive Board of the Association.
While GRO staff promote AALL's issues before Congress, the Administration, and other government officials, we rely on you
to help us influence policy at the Federal and state levels. For
example, in the 111th Congress, your calls and emails in response to
our August recess action alert helped ensure the repeal of a provision in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (P.L.
111-203) that included language exempting certain data produced by the
Securities and Exchange Commission from the Freedom of Information
Act.
At the state level, we work closely with our chapters to ensure
greater access to government information. For example, we recently
worked with the Law Library Association of Maryland (LLAM) and the
Maryland State Working Group to stop the proposed elimination
of the official print Maryland Register in favor of access through a
fee-based e-subscription only. AALL also collaborated successfully with
Southern New England Law Librarians Association (SNELLA) to stop plans to close Connecticut courthouse libraries.
The Advocacy Toolkit for the 112th Congress has been updated to help
you take effective action in the current difficult economic climate. We
expect to face many challenges at the Federal level in the next two
years, especially in regards to funding for key dissemination agencies.
We also predict that law libraries will to continue to face challenges
at the state level, so please review our advocacy tools so you’re
prepared to take action. If your chapter doesn’t already have a
Government Relations Committee, AALL Advocacy Communications Assistant Emily Feltren would be happy to work with you to craft one.
Whether you’re a new or experienced advocate, the Advocacy Toolkit
has the resources you need to get your message heard at the Federal and
state levels. Please read on to learn more about what you can do to
promote AALL's policy priorities and become an effective member of our
Advocacy Team.