Michigan Library Advocacy Day 2023

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

STRONG LIBRARIES = A STRONGER MICHIGAN

On Tuesday, April 25, the Michigan library community will unite to amplify our collective voice in support of all Michigan libraries at MLA's Michigan Library Advocacy Day! Passionate and committed library advocates from all across Michigan will join together in person in Lansing to represent our public, school, academic, tribal and special libraries. Our theme: Strong Libraries = A Stronger Michigan!

Registration is first come-first served and is limited to 125 attendees. MLA Membership is not required to attend.

Register for Advocacy Day

Michigan Library Advocacy Day is Sponsored by

Michigan Library Advocacy Day Partners

Location

Heritage Hall
State of Michigan Capitol
323 W Ottawa Street
Lansing, MI 48933

The group photo and Read-In will take place on the Capitol steps.

The networking reception will take place at the Governmental Consultant Services, Inc. (GCSI) office located at 120 N Washington Square #110, Lansing, MI 48933.

Registration Rate and Deadlines

The cost to attend is $25 and includes a boxed lunch, event t-shirt and individualized scheduling.

You don’t need to be a member of MLA to participate in Advocacy Day. However, you must register through the MLA website and create an MLA account. If you don't have an account with us, you can create one under "New Users" at the registration link below.

Michigan Library Advocacy Day participation will be limited by the capacity of Heritage Hall. Please contact us at [email protected] to be added to the waiting list for the event!

Register For Advocacy Day

Advocacy Day Schedule

*Subject to change

The day begins with coffee and conversation at 10:00 AM in Heritage Hall at the State of Michigan Capitol in Lansing (323 W Ottawa Street). State Librarian Randy Riley and MLA President Scott Duimstra will give a formal welcome at 10:30. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been invited to speak. MLA priorities and the structure of the day's legislative visits will be reviewed by Bob DeVries, MLA’s lobbyist.

At 12:15 PM, all library workers and advocates are asked to gather on the steps of the Capitol for an official photo opportunity. We encourage you to wear your new t-shirts so we are unified under our Michigan Library Advocacy Day banner. It will be a sight to behold! There will be a number of invited guest speakers who will share the importance and value of libraries including Loren Khogali, Executive Director of the ACLU of Michigan; Yasir Khogali, Plymouth District Library Board President; and Senator Sam Singh, Majority Floor Leader.

At 12:40 PM, legislative staff and Advocacy Day participants will be given a meal ticket that will give them access to pick up a box lunch at any of the bookmobiles parked on Capital Avenue in front of the Capitol. We hope you’ll take time to explore and check out the details of these great vehicles. You can have lunch outside on the steps of the Capitol, or, in the event of rainy or cold weather, we have reserved a space one block away from the Capitol at GCSI offices (120 Washington Square #110).

From 1:00 - 5:00 PM, our afternoon will be focused on legislative visits. In your personalized packet, we will have two spreadsheets – one alphabetized by legislator (as some visits will have more than one advocate involved depending on how many advocates come from a specific district), and one outlined by advocate. The spreadsheets will have the time and address of your legislative visits. We encourage you to be on time at these visits and to take into consideration that only a few offices are located in the Capitol. Most legislative offices are within a five minute walk from the Capitol. There will be a map of the legislative office buildings in your packet and on the website in advance. You will also need to take into account a few extra minutes to stop at the reception desk at the Senate and House office buildings and check in for a Guest badge - please bring your driver’s license to show at the reception desk.

To respect the time and work of our legislators on a session day, most of these visits will be scheduled for no more than 30 minutes. Some visits will be shorter or longer at the discretion of the legislator or their staff. Note that you may or may not meet with the legislators directly due to their schedules, but their staff will be there to listen and share your conversations later with your legislator if they aren’t available.

At 5:00 PM, we invite you to walk over to the GCSI office where there will be an open bar and appetizers until 6:00. Make sure to invite your legislator! Even if you don’t meet them in person that afternoon, stop by their office and ask their staff to convey your invitation to the legislator. Flyers will be included in your registration packet for this purpose. At the reception, wear your name badge and be ready to find your legislator and introduce yourself. Don't forget to have fun and talk about your library!

10:00 AM	Registration Opens, Coffee and Networking Opportunities
10:30 - 10:40 AM	Welcome in Heritage Hall with State Librarian Randy Riley and MLA President Scott Duimstra. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been invited.
10:40 - 11:40 AM	Legislative Primer and Priorities with Bob DeVries
11:40 AM – 12:00 PM	Opening Remarks (Special Guest Speaker TBA)
12:15 PM	Photo Op and Speakers on the Capital Steps
12:40 PM	Bookmobile Boxed Lunches Available
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	Read-In on the Capitol Steps
1:00 – 5:00 PM	Visits with Legislators
1:30 PM	Call Out on the House Floor
4:00 – 5:00 PM	Official State Capitol Tour (Optional)
5:00 – 6:00 PM	Meet and Greet at GCSI with Legislators (Open Bar and Appetizers Included)

Register for Advocacy Day

Special Events

There will be downtime between your legislative visits, so we want to make sure that Michigan library workers and advocates continue to make an impact while we are in Lansing. Read on for details!

Bookmobile Rally

bookmobiles

Grab your boxed lunch while you check out some of the awesome bookmobiles in our state! After our photo op on the Capitol steps, Legislative staff and Advocacy Day participants can pick up a box lunch at any of the bookmobiles parked on Capital Avenue in front of the Capitol. We hope you’ll take the time to explore and check out the details of these great vehicles. You can have lunch outside on the steps of the Capitol, or, in the event of rainy or cold weather, we have reserved a space at GCSI offices (120 Washington Square #110).

Libraries with bookmobiles are invited to bring their vehicles and park on Capital Avenue in front of the Capitol beginning at 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Special parking permits have been secured for our use. Please contact Amber Sheerin at [email protected] if your library has a bookmobile or book bike and is interested in participating. This is an opportunity to show off that investment not only to our library community but to our legislators as well.

Bookmobiles and Bikes in Attendance

Group Photo on the Capitol Steps

At 12:15 PM, all library workers and advocates are asked to gather on the steps of the Capitol for an official photo opportunity. Special guest speakers have been invited to join us and share words of inspiration. We encourage you to wear your new t-shirts so we are unified under our Michigan Library Advocacy Day banner. It will be a sight to behold!

"Call Out" on the House Floor

One of our new House of Representatives members will “Call Out” to our library workers on the House Floor sometime between 1:30 - 2:00 PM. Although we will not have an exact time until the day of the event, we hope that, if you are not at a legislative visit, you will make your way to the House Gallery on the third floor, take a seat and listen for the call out. It will be a very proud moment!

READ-IN on the CAPITOL STEPS: For the Love of Reading

Bring your favorite book and take a seat on the steps of the Capitol anytime between 1:00 and 3:00 PM!

Anyone and everyone is invited to attend the Read-In! No registration is required for this event. Click here to learn more about our first Read-In on the Capitol Steps.

Tour the Capitol

The Michigan Library Association has scheduled an optional 45-60 minute guided tour of the Michigan State Capitol at 4:00 PM on April 25. Guided tours of the Michigan State Capitol feature the public areas of the Capitol including the Rotunda and the Gallery of Governors. Tours also include access to the Senate and House Galleries when available. Everyone who would like to participate in the guided tour must enter the Capitol at the Heritage Hall entry on Ottawa Street. The tour guide will meet you there.

Networking Reception at GCSI

From 5:00 - 6:00 PM, Michigan Library Advocacy Day attendees are invited to a networking reception at the GCSI office. An open bar and appetizers will be available.

We have invited all legislators to attend but make sure to invite your legislator! Even if you don’t meet them in person that afternoon, stop by their office and ask their staff to convey your invitation to the legislator. Flyers will be included in your registration packet for this purpose. At the reception, wear your name badge and be ready to find your legislator and introduce yourself. Don't forget to have fun and talk about your library!

Explore CADL, Library of Michigan and Downtown Lansing

The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau is generously providing lots of information about exploring downtown including food, beverage and activity guides.

Don't forget that the downtown branch of the Capital Area District Libraries and the Cooley Law School Library are right up the street. Around the corner and about a 15-minute walk away is the beautiful Library of Michigan and History Center. The libraries will be highlighted on your map in your registration packet.

Partnership Opportunities

Your organization is invited to partner with the Michigan Library Association at Michigan Library Advocacy Day and Read-In on the Capitol Steps! The deadline to become an event partner is March 24, 2023.

Library Association Partner - $250

This year, the Michigan Library Association is excited to be hosting an in-person Advocacy Day for Michigan libraries, library workers and advocates and would like to invite other library associations, schools and consortia in Michigan to join us as Library Association Partners!

Benefits of becoming a Library Association Partner include:

Your organization name and logo will be added as a partner to the event website, MLA newsletter, social media and signage at the event
Full day registration will be included for one participant from your organization
Podium recognition during opening remarks
You may provide a one-page overview of your organization which will be added to the packets that will be delivered to each legislator

Become a Library
Association Partner

Independent Bookstore Partner - FREE

This year, the Michigan Library Association is excited to be adding a very special event to Michigan Library Advocacy Day. The Read-In on the Capitol Steps will take place from 1:00 - 3:00 PM on April 25, and we invite all independent bookstores around the state of Michigan to participate and show support for the love of reading by encouraging your customers, patrons and readers to travel to Lansing and bring their favorite book to read on the steps of the Capitol. While bookstores must register to participate, anyone and everyone is invited to attend the Read-In. No signs, no demonstrations, no political agenda, just a love of reading your favorite book.

Suggested activities for booksellers include:

Assemble a caravan of cars filled with readers
Have your readers wear gear with your bookshop logo or all the same color
If you can't make it to the event, consider having a read-in right in your own shop
Promote the Read-In on the Capitol Steps in your shop and on social media

For an optional fee of $50, your independent bookstore will be given the opportunity to include your store logo on the branded stadium seat cushions that will be given out at the Read-In on the Capital Steps. Ad space is limited and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

Benefits of becoming an Independent Bookstore Partner include:

Your bookstore will be added as a partner to the Read-In on the Capitol Steps on the website and social media
MLA will provide a customizable one-page flyer that you can add your logo and distribute to your customers
For an optional fee, add your logo to the Read-In on the Capitol Steps stadium cushions that will be distributed at the event (16 spots available)

Become an Independent
Bookstore Partner

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have additional questions.

What is included in my Michigan Library Advocacy Day registration?

If you register before 5:00 PM on April 3, 2023, your registration will include an Advocacy Day t-shirt, a boxed lunch and a custom agenda. GCSI will schedule a meeting between you and your legislator(s) or their staff if they are available.

Is this event only for MLA members?

You do not need to be a member of MLA to register to attend Advocacy Day. Additionally, registration is not required to participate in the Read-In on the Capitol Steps.

How do I identify my state legislators?

When you register for the Michigan Library Advocacy Day, you will be asked to include your House and Senate district based on your home address (where you vote). This is the address that we will use to schedule your visits. If you would like to add additional visits with legislators using your work address, please indicate this on your registration.

It will be vitally important for you to get to know your State Senator and State Representative and a little bit about their background. What committees do they sit on? What issues are important to them? What are their leadership roles? Use the links below to do some advanced research.

Find Your State Senator
https://senate.michigan.gov/FindYourSenator/

Find Your State Representative
https://www.house.mi.gov/#findarepresentative

How will my meeting be scheduled with my legislator?

If you register by 5:00 PM on April 3, 2023, GCSI will schedule your visit. We will have your schedule printed for you in your packet when you arrive at the event. Legislators' schedules are always in flux, so we will not have your schedule until the day of your visit. Some legislators may not be available to meet with you, but every attempt will be made to connect you with your legislator or their staff.

If you register on April 4, 2023, or later, you will still be able to contact your legislators by phone or by email to schedule an appointment. However, you may be responsible for arranging your own meetings.

How should I prepare for Advocacy Day?

We suggest bringing the following to the event:

Your official name badge
Your photo identification
Business cards
One-page flyer about your library

You will be provided with a packet the day of the event that will include a copy of the agenda, your individual schedule, a map, talking points, information to share about MLA and our partners and details about the Capitol tour as well as any other resources you will need for a successful Advocacy Day.

Make sure you review your legislators' committee assignments, leadership roles and priorities ahead of the event.

The dress code for legislative visits is business professional.

What should I talk about when I meet my legislators?

Present the issues and actions you would like your legislators to take. Use personal experiences to emphasize the importance of these issues. Make sure you stay on topic, remain nonpartisan, and avoid discussions of elections and politics that aren't immediately relevant to your priorities. Offer yourself, your organization and the host organizations as resources for finding solutions. Stay positive and focused!

Make sure to invite your legislators to the networking reception at 5:00 PM at GCSI headquarters. Your packet will include flyers to share with them about the event. Even if you don’t get to meet in person in the afternoon, stop by their office and give the receptionist the flyer and ask them to convey your invitation to the legislator.

At the reception, continue to wear a name badge. Be ready to find your legislator and introduce yourself with your name, organization and city.

Remember to have fun and talk about your library!

What should I do after Advocacy Day?

Within 24 hours, send your legislator a thank you email. Use this as an opportunity to restate the issues you have addressed in the meeting. If the legislator asked for follow-up materials, make sure that it is attached to your thank you email. Continue to build a relationship with the legislator by staying in contact after the meeting. Invite the legislator to conduct office hours at the library, read to children or take a "backstage" tour.

What should I do if I am unable to make my scheduled meetings?

Please contact Lisa Buttigieg at [email protected] as soon as possible if you will not be able to attend Advocacy Day. It is vital that we keep the legislators informed so that they can remove your appointment from their calendars.

What do I need to know about visiting the libraries of downtown Lansing?

Cooley Law School is open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on April 25. Because the library is not open to the public, when you arrive, tell the guard you are with MLA. You will need to use a kiosk-type thermometer to enter.

The CADL Downtown Lansing branch is open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The Library of Michigan is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

How can my organization be involved with Advocacy Day?

Partnerships are available for both Michigan Library Advocacy Day and the Read-In on the Capitol Steps! Please contact Debbie Mikula at [email protected] for further details.