Virtually no government policy gets enacted without some organized societal interests trying to shape the outcome. In fact, interest groups – a term that encompasses such diverse actors as business associations, labour unions, professional associations, and citizen groups that defend broad interests such as environmental protection or development aid – are active at each stage of the policy cycle.
The post 5 things you always wanted to know about interest groups appeared first on OUPblog.
We are by now more or less aware that income inequality in the US and in most of the rich OECD world is higher today than it was some 30 to 40 years ago. Despite varying interpretations of what led to this increase, the fact remains that inequality is exhibiting a persistent increase, which is robust to both expansionary and contractionary economic times. One might even say that it became a stylized fact of the developed world (amid some worthy exceptions). The question on everyone's lips is how can a democracy result in rising inequality?
The post Inequality in democracies: interest groups and redistribution appeared first on OUPblog.
YALSA is interested in starting a new Interest Group to discuss issues relating Advocacy. We aim to be a forum on exchanging ideas on how to advocate for young adult services (including collections, programs, staff and space) to other library staff, library administration, the local community, elected officials and other VIPs. An Advocacy Interest Group is a natural growth of the Advocacy Task Force established in 2007. Advocacy is an ongoing issue, and not one that can be completed in 3 years.
Members of a YALSA Interest Group can participate completely virtually using tools like ALA Connect. Interest groups can sponsor programs at conferences and submit articles for YALSA publications. To get the new group started, YALSA members need to show their interest by signing a petition. We need 15 signatures in order to submit a Request for Board Action to have the new group approved. If you are interested in participating in this new group send the following information: name, ALA member number, institution, email, address, and phone number to Beth Gallaway at [email protected]. Why an Advocacy Interest Group, now? Read on to find out.
YALSA’s mission statement has “advocate” as the first verb, and the mission further states that YALSA “stimulates and promotes the expansion of young adult service among professional associations and agencies at all levels.” YALSA’s strategic plan includes a vision that communities recognize Young Adult Librarians and Secondary School Library Media Specialists as “informational experts on serving teens,” and as “advocates for teens
in the community.” An Advocacy Interest Group can address these goals.
Telling the story of why our work is essential, and making sure elected officials and community VIPs are aware of the work we do with teens, is vital. Advocating for libraries is also been an opportunity to advocate for young adult services, and vice versa: learning to advocate for young adult services is good practice for getting more involved at the legislative level.
