Advocacy Efforts

Purpose 
The HLA Advocacy Committee is comprised of library professionals and allies working to build community support for libraries, strengthen relationships with stakeholders, and advocate for a better landscape for libraries and archives in Hawaiʻi.

Tracking Bills 
The HLA Advocacy Committee uses BillTrack50 to help you track bills of importance to libraries and the library profession. Here are two ways to engage with this platform. 

Hawaiʻi Bills

School Libraries (National)

Resources

Why Libraries Matter Report
Libraries are one of the last free places where everyone is welcome but they are often taken for granted. Learn why libraries continue to be a thriving part of society and how libraries impact the lives of Hawaiʻi residents.

Check It Out

Candidate Surveys
The subcommittee surveyed those running in the 2022 election for their attitudes towards libraries, thoughts on library funding, and sentiment towards censorship & book banning. The plan is to continue this practice for future elections. 

2024 Responses

2022 Responses

Event Recordings

• Advocating for Library & Information Professions in Hawaiʻi (August 2022)
• We Asked Questions, They Gave Answers (July 2022)

Read About Our Activities in Kolekole

• Fall 2022 issue
  • "Surveying Hawaiiʻs Candidates" by Tai Arakawa, Jade Sunouchi, and Krystal Kakimoto. Pages  7-9.
  • "Defending Tenure for Academic Librarians" by Andrew Wertheimer. Pages 14-18.
• Summer 2022 issue
  • "HLA Legislative Committee Revival" by Sharrese Castillo was released in the Summer 2022 issue. Pages 18-19.

Past Issues Related to the Field

• SB3269
• HB2449 
  
  

Being an Advocate

• ​ALA's Frontline Advocacy Toolkit
• ALA's Advocacy Library​​

Committee Members 

• Co-Chair: Krystal Kakimoto, Librarian, Chaminade University & Bishop Museum
• Co-Chair: Meera Garud, Instructor, Library and Information Science Program, UHM/HASL
• Tai Arakawa, Circulation Manager, Chaminade University
• Sharrese Castillo, Past Co-Chair
• Jessica Hogan, State Data Coordinator, Hawaiʻi State Public Library System
• Rachel Jacobson, LIS Graduate Student, UHM
• Brooke Jones, LIS Graduate Student, UHM
• Hokunani Keehu, LIS Graduate Student, UHM
• Tamara King, Librarian, Kahuku Public & School Library
• Pam Lough, CDC Foundation/CA Department of Public Health
• Jasmine Malone, LIS Graduate Student, UHM
• Mericia Palma Elmore, Executive Director Hawaiʻi Local SAG and Adjunct Professor, UHWO​
• Sabrina Thomas, Director, Hawaiʻi Pacific University Library & Learning Commons
• Danielle Todd, Staff Development Coordinator, Hawaiʻi State Public Library System
• Dr. Andrew Wertheimer, LIS Associate Professor, UHM