Legislative Day 1997: Setting the Stage
Ruth Semrau

All the world's a stage, says the Bard, and the drama of a legislative day is one of the most important performances that a librarian may participate in.

A play must first be written — that is the role of the Legislative Steering Committee. That committee begins its work a year or more before the opening night. Building on successful performances of the past, issues are examined and reexamined. New thoughts emerge, and new — as well as old — problems arise to be handled. Ideas and concerns come from the associations, divisions, and sometimes the world at large. This year's prime area of promotion — resource sharing — has been with us for a long time and grows in its importance and possibilities, almost unnoticed in its slow inexorability. Years ago, TLA set a goal of delivering any item in any library in the state within 48 hours of itsrequest. That goal is now being pursued in ways we did not then foresee. This year, we are asking for funding to promote resource sharing, and we have a reasonable expectation of getting that funding. [Right: Julianne Lovelace, director, Richardson Public Library, with Rep. Tony Goolsby (Dallas)]

As the writers perfect the script in many Austin meetings, the stage crew (local arrangements) does its behind-the-scenes work. The venue (hotel and reception hall) is decided upon, the set and props are designed, the actors (delegates and leaders) are enlisted, and all is made ready.

At last, the overture begins. Delegates and their leaders gather in Austin for the final run-through of their lines before they step out onto the stage of a senator or representative's office. One final night is available to prepare, and then the performance begins, one that can never be learned by rote but must be acted ad lib again and again.

[Left: Betty Yarbrough, director, Euless Public Library, with Rep. Todd Smith.]
As the action rises, nearly 250 librarians and library supporters pay calls on 31 senators and 150 representatives, each speaking as persuasively as their hearts and minds give them eloquence. This is life lived intensely in the present moment.

The State Library provides the green room on the other side of the street, offering sweet drinks and light snacks for extra energy to keep the pace. The actors meet there and give each other encouragement.

As the day draws toward the night, the bats come out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge to linger and watch. The final act, the evening reception, gathers its momentum for the day's denouement. Here the local arrangements work shines powerfully forth, with glittering Mardi Gras decorations, delicious party food and drink, and the many invited guests mingling with library supporters who repeat the day's messages in friendly, sociable ways, often gathering firmer support than can more formal requests. [Right: Mary McAfee, San Antonio Public Library Board, with Frank J. Corte Jr. of San Antonio (center) and Charles McAfee.]

But the curtains are drawn at last. The actors leave the stage. Already stray thoughts of future pageants are creeping into their minds. It's all theater, and the quality of our stagecraft will have powerful influences on the future of library users and libraries.