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Government Relations Office
Washington, D.C.
 The Washington Affairs Office was established in 1989 at the Georgetown University Law Library within blocks of our Nation's Capitol. It exists to provide the Association with a strong voice on
a broad array of information policy issues of concern to our members. These include matters related to copyright, access to government information and privacy. It was renamed the Government Relations Office in October 2008 to better reflect the broadened scope of the office that includes advocacy efforts at national, state, and international levels.
Staff work on information policy issues in accordance with AALL's Government Relations Policy and in
consultation with the Copyright Committee, Electronic Legal Information Access and Citation Committee, Government Relations Committee, and, where necessary or appropriate, the President or Executive Board of the Association.
HIGHLIGHTS
August Recess Action Alert: Your Help Needed on Three "Must-Pass" Bills
As President Joyce Janto announced in her August e-newsletter, AALL has issued a new action alert to gain support for three "must-pass" bills that protect government whistleblowers and promote improved access to government information. Please take a few minutes to deliver our message and make a difference before the 111th Congress adjourns at the end of the year.
Volunteer for Your State’s Working Group to Ensure Access to Electronic Legal Information
AALL is organizing working groups in every state to respond to challenges that threaten the authentication and preservation of online legal resources, and to contribute to the development of a ground-breaking national inventory of primary legal information at all levels of government. We need your help with this important effort. Please contact Emily Feldman to volunteer.
AALL Contributes to Audit Revealing Wide Variation in Agency Plans to Make Government More Open: NASA, HUD, EPA Produce Strong Plans, DOJ Plan Disappoints
AALL participated in an audit organized by OpenTheGovernment.org to rank executive agencies' Open Government Plans, that were released on April 7 as required by the Obama administration's Open Government Directive. The Directive specified key elements related to transparency, participation, and collaboration that must be included in the plans. While all the agencies required to produce a plan completed them within the four month deadline, the audit found a number of agencies exceeding the requirements, while others fell far short.
AALL Washington E-Bulletin
August 2010
AALL's Washington Blawg
The blog highlights policy news, action alerts, resources, and more.
AALL Advocacy Toolkit for the 111th Congress: 2009-2010
The Advocacy Toolkit is designed to help AALL members and chapters become effective advocates for law libraries on the federal and state levels.
Public Policy Positions of The American Association of Law Libraries
December 23, 2008
ABOUT US
Last Updated: August 2009
Read the history of the Government Relations Office and Frequently Asked Questions and meet the people behind the scenes. Government Relations Office Director Mary Alice Baish represents the Association on the Hill, and with various Federal agencies, coalitions, and other allied organizations. She also serves as AALL Staff Liaison to the Copyright Committee, Electronic Legal Information Access and Citation Committee and Government Relations Committee. Advocacy Communications Assistant Emily Feldman is responsible for open government issues as well as improving our communications, outreach and advocacy with our chapters and members.
ACTION ALERTS
Last Updated: August 2010
Urgent requests for members to support the advocacy efforts of the Government Relations Office.
ADVOCACY TOOLKIT
Last Updated: August 2010
The Advocacy Toolkit includes current action alerts for individuals and a useful guide to federal legislation AALL either supports or opposes. It also includes a section dedicated to helping chapters form effective legislative committees.
Whether you're new to advocacy or you're a seasoned veteran, the Toolkit has something for you.
ARCHIVES
Action alerts, briefs, international issues, letters, reports, presentations, testimony and updates, arranged by each previous congressional term.
BRIEFS
Last Updated: February 2008
Legal briefs endorsed by the Government Relations Office on behalf of the American Association of Law Libraries or one of our coalitions.
INTERNATIONAL
Last Updated: December 2008
Statements, letters, comments, and position papers related to international issues.
LETTERS
Last Updated: August 2010
Formal comments in support of AALL policy, expressed through letters and statements developed by the Government Relations Office in consultation with the Copyright Committee, Electronic Legal Information Access & Citation Committee and Government Relations Committee and, where necessary or appropriate, the President or Executive Board of the Association. These statements adhere to AALL's Government Relations Policy and resolutions adopted by the AALL Executive Board or the membership.
MISSION/POLICY
Last Updated: April 2008
In fulfilling its mission and the mission of the American Association of Law Libraries, the Government Relations Office monitors legislative, judicial and regulatory activities and represents the views of the AALL in accordance with its Government Relations Policy and the resolutions endorsed by the AALL Executive Board or the membership. The Copyright Committee, Electronic Legal Information Access & Citation Committee and Government Relations Committee consult with, advise, and provide general direction and guidance to the Government Relations Office.
OTHER RESOURCES
Last Updated: June 2010
A list of coalitions, other organizations and selected government entities of interest to our members.
REPORTS AND ISSUE BRIEFS
Last Updated: July 2010
Formal reports, position papers, issue briefs, or guidelines that have been adopted by AALL. These documents adhere to AALL's Government Relations Policy and resolutions adopted by the AALL Executive Board.
SPEAKING OUT
Last Updated: July 2010
Formal presentations, the Legislative and Regulatory Updates, and other presentations from AALL Annual Meetings.
TESTIMONY
Last Updated: February 2010
Congressional testimony developed by the Government Relations Office in consultation with AALL's policy committees and, where necessary or appropriate, the President or Executive Board of the Association, in support of AALL policy. These documents adhere to AALL's Government Relations Policy and resolutions adopted by the AALL Executive Board or the membership.
UPDATES
Last Updated: August 2010
The monthly "Washington Brief" columns for the AALL Spectrum and the Washington E-Bulletin.
For further information, please contact:
Mary Alice Baish
Director
AALL Government Relations Office
25 Massachusetts Ave, N.W.
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20001
Ph: 202/942-4237
Fax: 202/737-0480
Email: mbaish@aall.org
Emily Feldman
Advocacy Communications Assistant
AALL Government Relations Office
25 Massachusetts Ave, N.W.
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20001
Ph: 202/942-4233
Fax: 202/737-0480
Email: efeldman@aall.org
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