Nevada Library Association Handbook
Board of Trustees
Appointed Officers & Standing Committees
Government Relations Committee
HISTORY
Legislation to improve library service in Nevada was discussed at NLA's
second annual meeting and at every annual meeting since. A Legislative
Committee was formed in 1948, and other committees functioned with
various names in the early fifties. In 1954, there was a Federal
Relations Committee, in 1955 a Legislative Action Committee, and in
1956, a Legislative Study Committee and these three continued through
1968. In 1969, they were merged into a Legislative Committee, which was
called the Government Relations Committee beginning in 1973. The chair
of this committee became a two-year appointment in 1991 in order to
allow for greater continuity in working with Nevada's biennial
Legislature, which meets at the beginning of each odd numbered year. The
Government Relations Committee Chair's term begins in even numbered
years and is jointly appointed by the president and president-elect.
In the 1950's, much effort was put into changing Nevada's legislation
governing the operation of local libraries. During the 1973 session, the
committee laid the groundwork for what has become Information Nevada.
The Government Relations Committee has been active in passing Nevada's
library confidentiality statute (NRS 239.013), improving library
funding, and sponsoring a "Library Day" during each
legislative session. Lobbyists for NLA have been hired during the
1990's, and although proposals have been made to have NLA endorse
individual political candidates, NLA has focused on issues instead.
OFFICERS
1968-71
Clarence L. Boyd
1971-73
Mary Noyes, Washoe County Library
1974
Mary Noyes/Harold H.J. Erickson/Dorothy MacAlinden
1975
Jack Ritenhouse, University of Nevada, Reno
1976
Harold H. H. Erickson, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
1977-78
Anne Roberts, Ormsby Public Library Trustee
Nancy Cummings, Clark County Library District
1979
Martha Gould, Washoe County Library
1980
1981
Sandra Marz, Washoe County Law Library
1982
Andrea Thurman, Churchill Public
1983
Martha Gould, Washoe County Library
1984
Charles Hunsberger, Clark County Library District
1986-87
Charles Manley, Washoe County Library
1988-89
Carol Madsen, Elko County Library
1990
Milton Wolf, University of Nevada, Reno
1991
Dorothy Uebele, Nevada Advisory Council on Libraries
1992-93
Carolyn Rawles-Heiser, Douglas County Library
1994
vacant
1995
Carroll Gardner, Reno
1996-97
Carolyn Rawles-Heiser, Douglas County Library
1998-99
Monteria Hightower, Clark County Library
2000
Joan Kerschner, Henderson District Public Libraries and Anita
LaRuy, North Las Vegas
2001
Joan Kerschner, Henderson District Public Libraries
PURPOSE AND DUTIES
The committee carries out policy in legislative areas as determined by
the board of trustees and membership of NLA. The committee provides
lobbying and legislative monitoring for the association. The committee
chairperson serves as the ALA legislative contact for Nevada. The
committee provides procedures for disseminating information to the
membership on state and national legislation affecting libraries. The
committee drafts for the approval of the board of trustees and the
membership the legislative program to be presented at the biennial
session of the Nevada State Legislature. Such program is initiated in
the year between sessions. The chairperson of this committee registers
as a lobbyist for NLA.
1. The chairperson interprets the instructions of the board of
trustees to the committee and supervises the committee in its duties.
2. The chairperson submits copy to the Nevada Libraries
concerning information relative to the committee's work and sees to it
that libraries are apprised of legislation and activities impacting
libraries in Nevada. He/she contacts libraries when bills are
introduced impacting them and supplies copies to them and prepares
press releases, statements and formal testimony.
3. The chairperson works with legislators who have agreed to support
the NLA legislative program.
4. The chairperson has authority to act on any legislative matters
requiring expedience on bills affecting libraries or intellectual
freedom which are before federal or state legislatures, upon approval
of the NLA president.
5. The committee will study, evaluate, formulate, and recommend action
on state and federal legislative matters pertaining to libraries and
intellectual freedom. The intellectual freedom committee chairperson
works directly with this committee on intellectual freedom issues.
6. The committee shall submit proposed recommendations to the NLA
board of trustees and the NLA membership at large for approval before
taking action. After approval of any recommendation, the government
relations committee shall initiate appropriate action to ensure the
success of the recommendations.
7. The committee will encourage, study and evaluate suggestions from
NLA members, committees, or any interested person pertaining to any
library legislation.
8. The committee will be informed on significant legislation proposed
by other states and Congress.
Reports
1. During the Nevada legislative session, the committee provides to NLA
at least once a month and more if necessary, reports on legislation
affecting Nevada's libraries. Such reports and requests for action are
sent first class mail.
2. At the end of the legislative session the committee will provide a
report covering activities and financial expenditures published in the Nevada
Libraries.
3. Between sessions of the legislature the committee will make reports
to the membership and board of trustees as necessary.
Monitoring the Nevada Legislature
1. Local Libraries
a. Local libraries should find community contacts as advocates of the
NLA legislative position and program, as well as a means of channeling
to the library information on community views and actions.
b. Advocates should be known to local librarians and be ready to move
into action when necessary.
c. Items a. and b., above, should be done and ready no later than
December preceding the legislative session. Ideally, this will also
include a telephone tree.
d. Local librarians should contact local legislators to apprise them
of the fact that an NLA legislative packet will be sent to them. Urge
legislators to read it and ask questions. Legislative packets should
be approved by the NLA membership at annual convention, and be ready
to be sent one week after the elections are held.
e. Local librarians should try to secure from their legislators
commitments to advocacy for the NLA legislative program. Local
librarians should send to the chairperson names of legislators who
will speak for the association and for libraries. This is to be done
no later than December preceding the session.
