You Can Practice Civic Literacy with Librarians!

by Ellen-Rae Cachola

February 6 Visit to the Capitol
On the late morning of February 6, 2026, volunteers from the HLA Advocacy Committee and HLA Board visited the state capitol to drop off copies of the Love My Library Day bill at legislators offices and to raise awareness about what our libraries do for our communities.  This bill was championed by Rep. Jenna Takenouchi and Sen. Karl Rhoads.

​The Power of Communicating With Your Legislator
We believe that library workers and our patrons have the power to communicate the importance and impact of libraries with our decision makers. The Legislative Reference Bureau has been a resource for us every year, to help teach ourselves how to find our legislators, members of committees, and what to say at hearings. ​

Left to right: Sunyeen Pai, Jessica Hogan, Violet Harada, Rep. Jenna Takenouchi, Meera Garud, Ellen-Rae Cachola, Kelly Ann Yamamoto, and Serina Kerbaugh. 

Tracking Bills
The HLA Advocacy Committee has set up a tracker using BillTrack50 to help monitor bills of importance to libraries and the library profession. We focus on issues that impact the freedom to read and access to information. To sign up for alerts about bills that you are interested in and to submit testimony if hearings are scheduled, you may sign up for your own personal account with the Hawaiʻi State Legislature (click Register).
These are the bills that are on our radar this 2026 legislative session:

• HB2001 is the house version of the bill that would designate the first Friday in February of each year as "Love My Library Day" in the state. SB2147 is the senate version of this bill. 
• HB1934 relates to the Imagination Library of Hawaiʻi Program, which would provide free books to children and expand an existing program that is already launched in a few branches across the state.
• HB2004 Extends Act 135 School Librarian Pilot Program to create two 12 month school librarian positions to research the viability of increasing school libraries across the state. 
• HB2398 Clarifies the role of the Board of Education and State Librarian as having authority to develop and maintain public library system facilities. 
• There are at least two more library-related bills listed in the bill tracker, HB1764 music accessibility program and HB2577 electronic licenses, so take a look if you are interested. 

Participation Guidelines
For those of us who are city or state workers, we must participate in these events on our own free time, as individual citizens.  For more information, please review the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission’s Quick Guide on Lobbying Activities for State Officials and Employees. If you are uncertain about what you are allowed to do, reach out to the State Ethics Commission for guidance.

More Information
HLA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Per IRS guidelines, HLA may educate the public and decision makers,  through public education and discussion, on issues such as the freedom to read and civic education. The HLA Advocacy Committee is a group of volunteers working to build community support for libraries, strengthen relationships with stakeholders, and advocate for a better landscape for libraries and archives in Hawaiʻi. Learn more about our committee here. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.