Library Association Federal Government Relations Positions in Difficult Times: SLA, ASIST, ALA, AALL, MLA, EveryLibrary . . .  

Library Association Federal Government Relations Positions in Difficult Times

SLA, ASIST, ALA, AALL, MLA, EveryLibrary . . .

What ChatGPT says:

What are the Special Libraries Association’s positions on the US federal government in 2025?

You’re asking about the Special Libraries Association’s (SLA) positions on the U.S. federal government in 2025—and after a comprehensive search, I found no recent official SLA statements or policy positions specifically addressing the federal government or its policies in 2025.

What SLA Doesn’t Appear to Address in 2025:

• No identified federal-level policy statements: The searches returned no SLA-published public policy positions regarding federal legislation, governance, or government-related advocacy in 2025.
• The recent SLA materials focus heavily on internal organizational matters—most notably, the dissolution process and the merger with ASIS&T—rather than taking positions on the federal government YMAWSASIS&TWikipedia.

What We Did Find About SLA in 2025:

• Dissolution Process: In March 2025, SLA’s Board voted unanimously to dissolve the organization; this process was underway and expected to complete by around April 2026 YMAWSLibrary Journal.
• Merger with ASIS&T: By May 2025, SLA entered formal merger negotiations with the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T); in August, members voted in favor of proceeding with the merger ASIS&TWikipedia.

A Historical Policy Position (Not Recent)

While SLA hasn’t released new federal policy positions in 2025, there is an earlier, longstanding stance related to federal librarianship qualification standards:

• Education Requirements for Federal Librarians: In a deeper historical context, SLA has explicitly stated that it does not support mandating a Master’s in Library and Information Science (MLS/MIS/MSIS) as a strict prerequisite for federal GS-9 librarian positions. Instead, SLA recognized that many professionals may be qualified without that degree. The association emphasized competencies and professional skills over formal credentials The Library of Congress.

This is, however, a dated stance—not a current priority or public policy position for 2025.

Summary

• No current SLA position (2025) exists on U.S. federal government policy.
• SLA’s recent focus is on its own organizational future, including dissolution and merger efforts.
• The only identified SLA position related to federal government is the historical view on librarian qualification requirements—but nothing new for 2025.

What about ALA?

ChatGPT said:

Here’s what the American Library Association (ALA) is saying in 2025 about the U.S. federal government—including its public policy positions and advocacy efforts:

ALA’s Federal Policy Positions & Advocacy (2025)

1. Legislative Priorities & Legislative Agenda

• ALA’s 2025 Legislative Agenda emphasizes several key policy priorities:
  • No-fee, permanent public access to government information and services, including strengthening the Federal Depository Library Program and ensuring public access to federally funded research and data.
  • Advocating for a modernized copyright framework that upholds fair use and preserves libraries’ rights to offer digital content such as e-books.
  • Maintaining the Librarian of Congress’s authority over the Copyright Office.
    American Library Association

2. Broadband, Copyright, and Network Neutrality

• On its Federal Resources and Positions page, ALA states strong support for:
  • Affordable, high-capacity broadband as essential to library operations.
  • Balanced copyright law, protecting both user rights and creators’ interests.
  • Network neutrality, ensuring open and free access to digital resources.
    American Library Association

3. Campaigns & Grassroots Mobilization

• In January 2025, ALA launched the “Show Up for Our Libraries” advocacy campaign to mobilize citizens and library workers to contact elected officials about issues like freedom to read and federal library funding. The initiative underscores the importance of personalized advocacy to influence legislators.
  American Library Association
• Earlier, in 2024, ALA ran the #FundLibraries campaign urging Congressional support for LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) and Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) funding. The campaign encouraged constituents to sign “Dear Appropriator” letters to maintain federal support for libraries.
  American Library Association

4. Defense of IMLS and Legal Action

• On March 14, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) be eliminated “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” Staff were placed on leave, and grant programs were halted.
  • ALA responded by denouncing the action as a severe threat to libraries—especially in rural and underserved communities—and launched the “Show Up” campaign as part of its effort to fight the dismantling of IMLS.
  • On May 1, 2025, ALA, alongside AFSCME, successfully secured a temporary restraining order from the U.S. District Court blocking further action to dissolve IMLS.
    WikipediaAmerican Library Association+1
• A series of legal and public actions followed:
  • A judge later ruled the administration could continue dismantling, citing jurisdiction issues, but another injunction remains in effect in a separate case.
    AP NewsThe GuardianTIMEChronHuron Daily Tribune

5. Intellectual Freedom & Core Values

• ALA’s core philosophies—embedded in the Library Bill of Rights—include support for intellectual freedom, access to information, equity, and public good.
  • Its Intellectual Freedom Committee develops policy statements on censorship, free expression, and access to electronic content.
    Wikipedia+1

6. Organizational Strategy & Global Engagement

• The 2025 Strategic Plan, approved at ALA’s annual conference (June 2025), reinforces its mission to empower libraries and library workers, with advocacy, equity, intellectual freedom, and sustainability as core values.
  American Library AssociationPublishersWeekly.com
• ALA also engaged internationally—sending a delegation to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in July 2025 on Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), presenting libraries as catalysts for inclusive economic opportunity.
  American Library Association

Quick Summary: ALA’s 2025 Positions on the Federal Government

What about ASIS&T?

ChatGPT said:

You asked about ASIS&T’s (Association for Information Science and Technology) positions regarding the U.S. federal government in 2025.

What ASIS&T Does Not Do — Direct Federal Policy Advocacy

ASIS&T does not appear to issue formal policy statements regarding the U.S. federal government, federal legislation, or public policy in the way that organizations like ALA do. Their materials emphasize research, professional development, equity, and the societal impact of information science, rather than explicit government advocacy.

ASIS&T’s Mission, Values, and Professional Ethos

• Mission & Vision: ASIS&T aims to advance research and practice in information science and technology, fostering interdisciplinary approaches and knowledge sharing.ASIS&TWikipedia
• Core Values: ASIS&T members uphold equity, diversity, inclusion, lifelong learning, open access, and awareness of information’s societal impact.ASIS&T
• Professional Guidelines: The association encourages members to consider the social, economic, cultural, and political impacts of their work. It underscores responsibilities to employers, clients, users—and to defend open inquiry, fairness, privacy, and ethical practice.ASIS&T

These reflect ASIS&T’s guiding principles but stop short of providing direct commentary on specific federal policies.

Institutional Focus Over Federal Advocacy

ASIS&T emphasizes internal professional development and community-building:

• Strategic Plan (2020–2025): Concentrates on membership growth, community engagement, publications, and programming.ASIS&T
• Programs & Services: Includes mentorship, awards, doctoral colloquia, career development, and ethics-focused initiatives—not policy advocacy.ASIS&T
• Membership Benefits: Offers opportunities to share ideas and promote “informed policy on national and international information issues”—fields broadly tied to information and technology policy, not necessarily government-specific advocacy.ASIS&T

Organizational Activity & Merger

• In May 2025, ASIS&T began merger negotiations with the Special Libraries Association (SLA)—notably a move toward strengthening the broader information professional community, not issuing new policy positions.ASIS&TWikipedia

Summary at a Glance

If you’re interested in how ASIS&T-based research or thought leadership might inform federal information policy—or if you’d like to explore their special interest groups (e.g. SIG-III for international information issues) and their broader implications—I’d be happy to dig deeper!

What about AALL?

ChatGPT said:

Here’s what I found about the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) and its 2025 positions regarding the U.S. federal government—particularly its advocacy and policy priorities:

AALL’s Federal Advocacy & Policy Positions (2025)

Legislative Priorities for the 119th Congress

AALL outlines clear federal legislative and regulatory priorities in alignment with its 2022–2025 Strategic Plan. These include:

• Federal funding for key institutions and programs—such as the Government Publishing Office, Library of Congress (including the Law Library of Congress), National Archives, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and Legal Services Corporation—to ensure access to legal information and support access to justice.AALL
• Equitable access to legal information: pushing for improvements in the Federal Depository Library Program, enhancements to the U.S. Code’s organization and usability, more affordable or free access via PACER, broadband expansion, net neutrality protections, and updates to the Freedom of Information Act to boost government transparency.AALL
• Balanced copyright laws: support for fair use, protection of library exceptions, modernization of the U.S. Copyright Office’s IT systems, and ensuring fair compensation and access frameworks.AALL
• Privacy protections: advocating for legal safeguards around user data and library records, especially in the context of emerging AI tools.AALL
• Ethical use of AI: setting standards for AI in legal information services—prioritizing transparency, accountability, equitable access, research on AI’s impacts, and responsible innovation.AALL

Core Government Relations Policy

AALL’s broader policy framework states:

• Governments are obligated to collect, preserve, and make legal/government information freely and equitably accessible to the public.
• Federal entities such as the Law Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Government Publishing Office, and National Archives must receive adequate funding to fulfill these responsibilities.AALL
• The association actively monitors proposed federal laws and regulations affecting its members, access to justice, and the legal information ecosystem.AALL
• AALL engages members in grassroots advocacy and forms coalitions to forward its public policy goals.AALL+1

Advocacy Training & Member Engagement

In April 2025, AALL hosted a “Legislative Advocacy Basics” training session for members—building skills to influence lawmakers, form effective advocacy strategies, and engage in information policy discussions. This training underscores their commitment to empowering law librarians in public policy advocacy.AALLAALL eLearning

Summary Table: AALL’s Federal Government Positions (2025)

Final Thoughts

AALL is deeply engaged in advocating for federal policies that ensure free, equitable, and accessible legal information, while responsibly managing technological change and protecting user privacy. Their grassroots approach and member-focused advocacy training reflect a proactive stance in shaping information policy.

If you’re interested, I can walk you through specific advocacy campaigns, example letters, or summaries of relevant legislation AALL has supported or opposed.

What about MLLA?

ChatGPT said:

Medical Library Association (MLA). Here’s what I found about its 2025 positions related to the U.S. federal government:

Medical Library Association (MLA): Federal Advocacy in 2025

1. Public Policy Center & Federal Engagement

• Mission: MLA’s Public Policy Center clearly emphasizes support for “unrestricted, affordable, and permanent access to quality health information for everyone,” with a focus on federal legislation and regulations impacting libraries.
  MLA
• Collaboration: The association works jointly with the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) through the Joint MLA/AAHSL Legislation Committee. This group develops official statements and responses to Federal requests for information and policy proposals.
  MLA

2. Support for NLM and Federal Funding

• Position Statement: MLA has issued a formal statement titled “Protecting Access to Health Information: the Critical Role of Libraries, NLM, and NIH Funding.” It emphasizes that access to up-to-date, evidence-based health information is essential for medical research, patient care, and public health. The statement urges continued federal support for:
  • The National Library of Medicine (NLM)
  • NIH infrastructure and funding
    MLA
• Why It Matters: NLM supports a vast network of health libraries through efforts like MedlinePlus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and regional outreach through the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM)—benefits that rely on sustained federal investment.
  MLA

3. Censorship, Privacy, and Access Tools

• Toolkit Development: MLA provides a Censorship and Library Practices Toolkit to help health sciences librarians navigate conflicts between professional values and institutional or legal restrictions. This underscores their commitment to intellectual freedom and information access.
  MLA

Summary: MLA’s 2025 Federal Advocacy Highlights

What about EveryLibrary?

ChatGPT said:

Here’s what EveryLibrary—a national library advocacy organization—has been doing in 2025 in relation to U.S. federal government actions and broader public policy issues:

EveryLibrary’s 2025 Advocacy Highlights

1. Condemning the Termination of IMLS Grants

• On April 3, 2025, EveryLibrary issued a strong public statement condemning the Trump Administration’s abrupt termination of IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) grants—effective April 1—labeling it as an unlawful attack that undermines statutory obligations and jeopardizes services across libraries nationwide everylibrary.org.
• These grants included Grants to States, National Leadership Grants, and the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grants—programs essential for supporting library infrastructure and services everylibrary.org.

2. Vigilant Bill Tracking & State-Level Advocacy

• EveryLibrary maintains an up-to-date “Legislation of Concern” tracker, focusing on state-level threats that hinder freedom to read, criminalize librarians and educators, limit access to library collections, or undermine professional standards everylibrary.org+1.
• Simultaneously, they monitor pro-library legislation, identifying positive bills that protect access to digital content, reading rights, and library governance everylibrary.org+1.
• Their detailed 2025 report, “Codifying Censorship or Reclaiming Rights: The State-by-State 2025 Legislative Landscape for Libraries”, analyzes over 130 harmful bills and nine successful pro-library legislative efforts, providing actionable insights for advocacy everylibrary.orgLibrary Technology Guides.

3. Driving Week-by-Week, On-the-Ground Action

• As the 2025 legislative sessions began, EveryLibrary mapped out pre-filed threats like book bans and criminalizing statutes in states such as Texas, Missouri, and others—and engaged their network for targeted response everylibrary.org.
• They equipped grassroots groups with tools, digital platforms (FightForTheFirst.org, Action.EveryLibrary.org, SaveSchoolLibrarians.org), consulting support, and marketing resources to bolster local and state advocacy efforts everylibrary.org+1.

4. Launching National Campaigns

• On January 25, 2025, EveryLibrary launched a national fundraising campaign: inviting supporters to contribute a recurring $3/month, aimed at sustaining long-term capacity to defend libraries against federal threats—including anticipated funding cuts everylibrary.org.

5. Opposing Project 2025

• In July 2024, EveryLibrary released a statement opposing the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, calling out its proposals that would criminalize librarians, defund the IMLS, and erode public education and federal support for libraries—emphasizing libraries’ role in free and inclusive access to information everylibrary.org.

6. Championing Civic Engagement Through Libraries

• The EveryLibrary Institute’s VoteLibraries initiative continues to position libraries as civic engagement hubs—supporting nonpartisan voter education, voter registration, and election awareness. It also coordinates events like Civic Learning Week (March 2025) and celebrates National Voter Education Week votelibraries.org.

Summary Table: EveryLibrary’s 2025 Engagement with Federal Government Issues

In summary, While EveryLibrary does not directly lobby federal agencies, it actively responds to and counters federal policy threats—particularly around library funding (IMLS), criminalization trends, and censorship. Their focus in 2025 has been to empower state-level advocacy, support legislative defense, and sustain civic engagement through libraries.

Let me know if you’d like details on any specific campaign, report findings, or actionable resources for advocacy!