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Become a Florida Library Advocate | Take Action! | Find Your Legislator | Advocacy Resources | Important Dates | On September 15, 2023, FLA Board Members formally approved the Legislative Platform 2024. Legislative Platform 2024: Florida Libraries: Fundamental to FreedomFunding InitiativesState Aid to Public Libraries Grant Program Public Library Construction Grants Library Cooperative Grant Career Online High School Colleges’ and Universities’ Essential Library and Distance Learning Services
Florida Public and Academic Libraries support the Freedom to SucceedJob seekers. Librarians teach classes and provide one-on-one training for resume creation, job searching, and job applications. Small Business Owners. Libraries provide space for business owners to meet, utilize fast internet access, and take advantage of industry- standard financial and business research tools and databases. College Students. The Florida Virtual Campus is essential to the success of students, faculty, and researchers across the Florida College System and State University System. Florida’s State Colleges and Universities have contributed tens of billions of dollars to state economic growth through student success and funded research. Florida Public and Academic Libraries support Free and Fair ElectionsVoting and Elections. Many libraries serve as polling locations for early and Election Day voting, providing physical space and support. All Florida public libraries also serve as voter registration locations and provide spaces for political and community forums. Literacy InitiativesChildren learning to read earlier. Library storytimes teach important pre-literacy skills like improved vocabulary and understanding of sentence structure. Storytime movement activities promote vital cross-brain communication that is invaluable to development of learning to read. Adults learning to read for the first time. Libraries provide Adult Literacy coaching, classes, and resources to assist the approximately 22% of adult Floridians who lack basic reading and writing skills. Floridians sit below the national average for Adult Literacy, in approximately the bottom 20% of U.S. states. Inspiring and nurturing the love of reading for all ages. Robust print and electronic collections, summer reading programs, year-round book discussions, and events coupled with trained expertise of professional paraprofessional library staff. Provide training and resources to increase Financial and Digital Literacy. Valuable survival skills in people of all ages. These skills support families in their work and daily lives. Community HubMeeting place. Libraries offer spaces for study groups, parents groups, civic organizations, homeowners associations, and other community groups that meet regularly. Cultural programs and enrichment activities. Important cultural and historical events are held throughout the year across all Florida Libraries. ![]() Important Dates2024 Florida Legislative SessionJanuary 9 | Regular Session convenes (Article III, section 3(b), State Constitution) Library Day 2024Join us in Tallahassee for Library Day! Save the date for an evening reception on January 23rd followed by a packed day of advocating for libraries with state legislators on January 24th, 2023. 2024 Legislation & Bills to WatchTo be listed once introduced
2023-2024 Funding SummaryCongratulations on a successful 2023 Advocacy Campaign! Florida lawmakers approved a $116.5 billion dollar budget that includes increases for library funding. The results of the 2023 FLA platform’s requests were as follows:
Advocacy ResourcesThe Value of Public Libraries
Florida Library FactsFloridians love their libraries. Over 57 percent of Floridians have library cards. That’s more than 12.3 million people. 2018-19 - Florida Department of State. Floridians really enjoy reading. Florida libraries circulated over 99 million items – books, cds, dvds, etc., in 2018-19. Books, music and movies. There are over 41 million items in Florida public libraries. Of these, over 10.4 million are e-books, 1.6 million are audio and 3.4 million are video. Floridians vote for libraries with their feet. Florida residents visited public libraries about 62.6 million times in 2018-19 for an average of over 2.9 visits per person. Libraries help children learn and prepare them for school. Libraries help young children learn to read and help parents and caregivers learn to support that learning. Florida libraries conducted over 116,240 programs for children in 2018-19 with over 3.3 million children attending – and children checked out over 31 million items! Floridians come to libraries for technology and job search. There are over 17,290 public access computers available in Florida libraries. Floridians used these computers 13.2 million times in 2018-19 and over 2.9 million Floridians received technology instruction in libraries. Frequently use is for job seeking! Many libraries offer free wireless access. Many Floridians use libraries from their home, school or office. Floridians visited library websites over 74.8 million times in 2018-19, using services like the Florida Electronic Library that offer electronic information and online help. Librarians help you find what you’re looking for. Library staff answered over 18.4 million reference questions in 2018-19 and 427,000 of those questions were answered using online reference services. For many, the library is their lifeline to essential government services. Library staff help the public transact their E-Government business using library computers for services including Unemployment Compensation, Medicare, Fla. Dept. of Children and Families, immigration, and the IRS. Library staff are important members of disaster management teams and following disasters, library computers help survivors locate family members and apply for insurance and assistance. 91% of Americans say public libraries are important to their communities. “Library Services in the Digital Age,” Pew Internet &American Life Project, January 2013. Florida libraries are efficient. Florida libraries served the public at an average cost of $28.89 per person in 2018-19 compared with a national average of $44.89 2019. IMLS. Good return on investment. Florida’s public libraries return at least $10.18 for every $1 invested. 2013 - Florida Department of State. Webinars2019 FLA Pre-Library Day Webinar (recorded 1/29/19) FLA Confidentiality Webinar (recorded 6/17/16)
2023 Love Your Library Campaign
2023 Love Your Library Campaign
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