Legislative Breakfasts
Attending a Legislative Breakfast

​What is a Legislative Breakfast? 
Legislative breakfasts are laid-back, informal affairs that allow library teachers and library users to strengthen their relationships with legislators and showcase the important work that they do on behalf of local constituents. Legislative breakfasts are held throughout the state by both public, school, and academic libraries  Local advocacy groups and committees organize breakfasts.  The Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) provides resources and support and hosts a calendar of breakfasts. Breakfasts typically take place from 8-9am on Fridays, during the months of January-March.

Here's a LINK for upcoming breakfasts in 2020.

MSLA's talking points for 2019 are to support implementation of the recommendations in the Long-Range Plan presented in the Report and Findings of the Special Commission on School Library Services in Massachusetts.  Visit this  LINK to more information on the study and the Commission. 
 We hope that MSLA and other stakeholders can work with DESE and the library community to improve equity. We feel that important steps toward improving equity of access to school libraries are:
  1. Appointing an appropriate staff member at DESE to act as a focal point and allow for a direct connection between DESE and the school library community.
  2. Conduct a thorough census of school libraries, staffing, and services to clearly identify the areas of inequity.
  3. Working with DESE and the library community to act on the steps in the Special Commission’s recommendations.
  4. MSLA has endorsed the Legislative Agenda for fiscal year 2020 of the MBLC (Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners following are excerpts from our letter.
  5. "We recognize your need to support the entire Massachusetts library community in your Legislative Agenda and feel that your well-balanced approach with a multi-pronged effort to support libraries of all types provides essential support for equity of access to authoritative information for Massachusetts students and faculty in the K-12 arena as well as professional development/support for school librarians. This year’s Legislative Agenda recognizes the financial pressures that could threaten these essential services for school libraries and students and recommends solutions to avoid service reductions.
  6. We appreciate your strong support for the school library community and thank you for working so hard to make libraries thrive in the Commonwealth.  Please let us if we can help support your efforts.
  7. ​If you have questions about legislative breakfasts or are considering hosting one at your library, please contact the Advocacy Committee.
School Library Legislative Breakfasts
Legislative breakfasts take place in school libraries throughout the state. School librarians were invited to attend any of these breakfasts, as well as those being held in public libraries. 

Considering speaking at a Legislative Breakfast? 
Feel free to structure your speech around one or more of the talking points outlined by MSLA.  Be sure to include personal anecdotes and honest reflections about how school libraries have impacted your life and the lives of your students. You speech should be no longer than 5 minutes and include a clear theme (i.e. equity, digital literacy, community, etc.). 
Considering hosting a Legislative Breakfast at Your Library?
Hosting a breakfast provides opportunities for attendees to ask questions and make comments regarding pertinent issues, such as legislation impacting school libraries, funding, staffing, and equitable access to resources. Scroll down the page to find out more about hosting a legislative breakfast in your library. 
2016 Legislative Breakfast at Dartmouth Middle School     (Hosted by School Librarian Laura Gardner).
Hosting a Legislative Breakfast in Your Library
What takes place at a legislative breakfast?
Sample Program
  • Caterer sets up food: 6am
  • Breakfast and Registration: 8-8:30am
  • Welcome Remarks: 8:30am
  • Invited Speakers: 8:30-8:50am
  • Speakers can include students, parents, library teachers, members of MLA, MBLC, and local legislators and other officials.  
  • Question & Answers: 8:50-8:55am
  • Closing Remarks: 8:55-9am (Make sure to finish on time!)
  • Caterer cleans up food
 
When do I need to start planning?
  • ASAP! But don’t worry, there are lots of resources out there to get you started. Visit the MLA Legislative Breakfast Toolkit to review a suggested timeline for planning your breakfast.

How can I host a breakfast at my school library?
  • To learn more about planning a legislative breakfast at your school library, please review the following presentation: Hosting a Legislative Breakfast @ Your School Library.

For questions or additional assistance in getting started, please contact the members of the MSLA Legislative Committee: ​​LINK

How many people attend a breakfast?
  • Some breakfasts have over 100 people in attendance. It is very important to consider the parking availability at your school when deciding whether or not to host a breakfast.
Who do I contact if I want to host a legislative breakfast?
  • Legislative breakfasts are organized locally and tracked by the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA). There are legislative breakfast planning committees in many regions of the state. 

How are the legislative breakfasts funded? 
  • The MSLA provides funding to MSLA Area Directors for school library legislative breakfasts in their regions.
What are my responsibilities as the host library?
  • Contact MSLA and MLA with dates (and snow dates)
  • Get permission from your school to host event
  • Locate speakers
  • Contact local media outlets
  • Work with MLA Area Directors to develop, promote and organize the event (i.e. create and send out invitations, handouts, etc.)

What are the two most important things to consider when deciding whether or not to host a legislative breakfast?
  • Permission. Some school principals are uncomfortable with politicians coming in and out of their school buildings. Please make sure to get the OK from your school principal before committing to host a breakfast.
  • Parking. You will need enough parking to accommodate over 100 vehicles. 

If you are interested in hosting a breakfast, please feel free to contact previous breakfast hosts. 

​Westborough High School ​Dartmouth Middle School
I am unable to host a breakfast at my school library, but I still want to be involved. What can I do?
  • Attend a legislative breakfast in your region! Check out the Library Legislative Breakfast Schedule on the MLA website to see which libraries (school or public) will be hosting an event in your neck of the woods. If you’re interested in speaking at one of the breakfasts, please contact the MSLA Advocacy Committee.
Page Editor: Ann Perham aperham@maschoolibraries.org