Helpful Tips for Library Legislative Day

For some helpful tips on a successful day, please watch this brief video. 

13 Tips for Attending Library Legislative Day

Thank you to Jamie Matczak and her colleagues at the Wisconsin Valley Library Service for this 3-minute video! It was produced in 2023 when securing state library aid in the biennial budget was WLA’s primary objective. 2026 is not a budget writing year.

The 2026 Library Legislative Day is a "thank you year" to further WLA relationship building with legislators. WLA appreciates legislative support for state library aid increases in the 2025-2027 budget that maintains vital services for regional public library systems, BadgerLink, Newsline for the Blind, the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library, and the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, as well as interlibrary loan contracts with Milwaukee Public Library and the UW-Madison.  It's important to connect the dots between state library aid and their constituents. Please come prepared with a short anecdote illustrating how regional public library system support for local libraries makes a difference in the lives of the library customers/constituents you share with your legislators.

How to talk with your Senator and Assembly Representative

  • Please respect every legislator’s time and visit ONLY during your scheduled appointment.  If you do not have an appointment, feel free to join the group that has been scheduled but please go only during the time scheduled by the Wisconsin Library Association.

  • Begin by expressing appreciation for the support for public library system funding in the current budget. Mention that we’ve worked hard to use the dollars in ways that improve the lives of the state’s residents.

  • Give examples. Tell them stories of the impact this new funding has had on your library users relative to workforce development, technology, and lifelong learning, for example:

    • Online courses that people can take to improve their skills, help them get jobs, and develop in their careers

    • Resume building software that helps people with job searches

    • Technology improvements such as scanners for digitizing, hot spots for checkout, and video conference rooms

    • Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming kits for children

    • Library programs for all ages that entertain, encourage the exploration of new topics and skills, and provide opportunities for social interaction

Tell them stories about people whose lives are better because the Legislature has invested in Wisconsin libraries.  If the story is from the legislator’s constituency area, that’s a bonus, but if it’s not just add that it’s typical of the impacts happening within that legislator’s district and across the state.

  • Hand the staff member the WLA folder for the Senator/Representative.  Say: “This folder includes background information about libraries and library systems.” Don’t take out the materials.  Just leave the folder with them.  Mention that the folder includes a map showing the 15 library systems and contact information for them to schedule listening sessions at libraries in their district. Pro tip: If you are talking with a staff member, be sure to get their name or ask for their business card.  Thank them for their time and their support for libraries!

  • When you get home send a handwritten thank you note to the legislator. If you meet with a staff member, send a thank you note to the legislator acknowledging your appreciation for meeting with their staff, and send a thank you to the staff member. 

Online Directories

A Senate Office and Staff Directory with office room numbers is linked to the Senate home page at: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/

An Assembly Staff Directory with office room numbers is linked to the Assembly home page at: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/

Address Information

Address for all State Senators: P. O. BOX 7882, MADISON, WI 53707-7882

Addresses for Assembly Representatives:

  • LAST NAMES A-L at P.O. Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708-8952
  • LAST NAMES M-Z at P.O. Box 8953, Madison, WI 53708-8953 

Navigation Tips 

Helpful Capitol navigation tips

Capitol interior maps showing office locations can no longer be linked to the WLA website for Library Legislative Day attendees due to security considerations. Please read the document linked above carefully and print out a reference copy for Library Legislative Day.