In May 2004, three members of the Idaho Library Association traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the thirtieth annual National Library Legislative Day. Their goal was to represent to Idaho’s Congressional delegation the needs of Idaho libraries. Over a two-day period, Vicki Kreimeyer, Norma Jean Sprouffske and Ann Joslin met with staff members of each of the members of Idaho’s congressional delegation. The staff members were “cordially received and had good questions from each staff person,” according to ILA President, Vicki Kreimeyer.

ALA provided briefings and discussion points for delegates. These provided contextual perspective for participants: “it was enlightening to hear first hand of the many considerations, pressures from various constituencies, networks impacting the vote on a single issue,” said attendee, Norma Jean Sprouffske, of the experience

ILA’s delegates, who were prepared with topics of their own, as well, discussed national level issues such as the USA Patriot Act and the related, proposed SAFE Act, as well as continued LSTA funding, with staff members from Idaho’s congressional delegation.

Local Idaho issues such as the cooperation of the Idaho State Library with the Idaho Department of Education to provide training for school library aides, successful library district creation and/or enlargement efforts, and continued support of LiLI-D were also topics of discussion..

The event provided the opportunity for education and exposure for both the delegates, as well as the congressional delegation. ILA’s investment in this effort needs to be sustained, according to attendee, Ann Joslin, who remarked that “equally important is the follow-up to Legislative Day. During the year, our congressional delegation needs to hear from the Idaho library community about federal programs and legislation that affect libraries.”

The members represented public libraries, school libraries and a special library, respectively. ILA has often participated in this event in the past, and has sent, in addition to these representatives, a representative of academic libraries. The degree of participation has varied—one year ILA sent only one delegate to this event.

ILA supported this trip and donated $ 200.00 in general support for Library Legislative Day. to support the general the effort Their appointments had been arranged with the help of John Watts, ILA’s Legislative Advisor.