Call to Action for Libraries: Three-Minute Commitment

Hello, Local 4408 Family,

I come to you asking for help.  Libraries and affiliated organizations across this state are pushing for the passing of House Bill 5236, known as the Digital Library Protection Act. 

Have you ever been annoyed because of how long you have to wait in a queue for a digital library book? How about your library having only Book 5 and not Books 1-4? The main reasons patrons see and are frustrated by these things is because of how libraries give access to digital services. The book that you can buy on your Kindle for $9.99 is probably going to cost your library over $100. And worse, that $100 is only a rental fee, and the library will lose the right to check that book out in either a set number of uses, or a set time period.  

Libraries want to change this, and we need your help. The Digital Library Protection Act would require publishers to treat libraries fairly, protect your personal information, and protect sharing of resources. 

Please stand with the librarians of the SOS Bargaining Unit and the libraries of the IFT and sign a witness slip saying you are a proponent of this bill.  

Below is a little information from the Illinois Library Association (ILA),  and the instructions to act as a witness. Please take three minutes to become a witness, and let's make things better for our libraries, and all the residents of Illinois.

Ryan A. Franklin

Area Vice-President

Secretary of State Bargaining Unit

IFPE Local 4408

From ILA - the Call to Action

Right now, Illinois libraries pay nearly four times the consumer price for eBooks, and those licenses expire. HB 5236, the Digital Library Protection Act, would give libraries the ability to negotiate fair contract terms for digital content. We're aiming for thousands of witness slips on HB 5236 to let legislators know that this is important to us, and that's where I need everyone to help by filling this out and then sharing with staff, patrons, and board. We already have 325 witness slips and know we can get over 1,000.  

Thank you in advance for taking a moment to sign and share with others!  

Submit a witness slip (three minutes)

A committee hearing is coming up, and witness slips from library staff carry real weight with legislators. Here's how:

1. Go to the HB 5236 witness slip page on the ILGA website.

2. Enter your name and indicate you're representing IFPE Local 4408 (this is to let legislators know you are not a bot).

3. Select Original Bill → Proponent.

4. Choose Record of Appearance Only.

5. Agree to terms, confirm you're not a robot, and hit Submit.

Once you’ve submitted a witness slip,  contact someone in your network and ask them to submit a witness slip. Library users slips carry more weight than library staff witness slips. 

Thank you.