Library Legislative Day 2003
Posted:
April 29, 2003
Document author: Beth Carpenter
I was a newbie. I was nervous. I wasn’t sure what I would say. But, I was glad to be taking part in Library Legislative Day 2003.
After a treacherous drive to Madison on snow and ice covered roads, we arrived just in time to hear Lt. Governor Lawton and Governor Doyle speak. I was told this was the first time that a governor had attended LLD, and I was excited to be there for the momentous event.
Governor Doyle spoke of his commitment to libraries and education. He promised to “hold libraries harmless” in the coming budget plan – a phrase librarians now cling to like a lifesaving buoy in the middle of a stormy sea. He commented on the Depression and how his parents survived it, received high quality educations in the midst of it, and how education and the arts were still important and available during that most difficult of economic slumps. He shared his belief that these “quality of life services” should still be available today, and that he’ll do all he can to ensure that Wisconsin’s rich cultural heritage does not get lost in the attempt to solve the largest budget crisis the state has ever faced.
I was impressed by his words and the sincerity with which he spoke. As he made his way toward the back of the room where I was standing, I approached him to shake his hand and thank him for coming. I presented him with a Cooler by the Lake stress cow, saying “I thought this might come in handy for you during these stressful times.” He smiled and looked slightly confused, wondering why this person was nervously handing him what looked like a child’s toy.
Oh, my, gosh… did I really just hand the Governor a stress cow? I felt like an idiot, but was also thrilled by the fact that he just might use it and would maybe think of libraries when he did. Not my most eloquent or distinguished of moments, but, oh well, you only live once, right?
I listened as Paul Nelson and other distinguished guests told me what to do and what not to do when meeting with my legislators. I still wasn’t sure what I was going to say. I still was nervous.
Thankfully, my first appointment with a legislator had several other LLD attendees scheduled to meet at the same time. I took comfort in their company – maybe I wouldn’t have to say anything and the others would take care of things for me. I’m good at listening. I could do this.
Believe it or not, I managed to muster enough courage to speak. Again, maybe not my most eloquent or distinguished of moments, but hey, I was new at this and I think I did okay.
I couldn’t take comfort in numbers for my next appointment (it was just me and one other person), but I had one meeting under my belt and figured I would be all right. Again, I managed to speak up, and again, didn’t manage great eloquence.
One more appointment came and went and the day was over. I was relieved. I had done it. I had attended and survived my very first Library Legislative Day.
As we drove back to Appleton, I pushed around the day’s events in my mind. Was I lucky that the Governor’s bodyguards didn’t throw me to the ground when I pulled out the stress cow? (Does the Governor have bodyguards?) Did my legislators hear and understand the message I was trying to share? Did I sound like a complete moron? Did I manage to share even one ounce of the passion I feel about the need for libraries and library services in Wisconsin? I wondered if taking part in LLD really made a difference.
Here’s what I decided: maybe my presence at the Capitol didn’t make any difference at all, but that’s okay. I’m tired of feeling helpless. I complain about lack of support for libraries, but what do I do to try to change the situation? Not much. Those days are over.
I may not have a finely tuned message. I may get nervous. I may not come off as the most intelligent of constituents. But I care about libraries, and I am done being silent.
Would I attend Library Legislative Day 2004? You bet, and I’ll be bringing YOU along with me!
Supporting public libraries in Outagamie and Waupaca counties