MLA Connect Advocacy Hour: Public Libraries and Book Banning Statewide Polling Results

Thursday, August 21, 2025 
10:00 - 11:00 AM

In June 2025, MLA commissioned a statewide poll to learn more about Michiganders’ attitudes towards public libraries and book bans. The June poll follows a similar statewide survey on library issues conducted in March 2023, both commissioned by MLA and conducted by the public opinion survey and research firm EPIC-MRA. 

On Thursday, August 21, at 10:00 AM, join MLA on Zoom for our August Advocacy Hour featuring Bernie Porn, President of EPIC-MRA. MLA’s Interim Executive Director, Dillon Geshel, will join Bernie in conversation about the polling results and what they reveal about voter attitudes towards public libraries and book bans. View the full survey data and regional summaries.

Advocacy Hour conversations are always free to attend, but registration is required.. Click below to secure your spot.

REGISTER 

Speaker

Bernie Porn, Founding Principal and President. Drawing on over three decades of research and communication experience, Mr. Porn's primary role with the firm involves the writing and analysis of the survey research conducted for EPIC-MRA 's clients. He is also looked to by members of the media, academia, and others for commentary on the wide spectrum of topics researched by the firm. 

Mr. Porn is a graduate of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, majoring in urban affairs and schooled in statistics. He was a staff member in the Michigan House of Representatives for nineteen years, serving as the Director of Communications from 1990 to 1992. He worked extensively on the 1981 and 1991 Michigan legislative and congressional redistricting.

Advocacy Hour conversations are always free to attend but registration is required. 

MLA Connect Advocacy Hours are an opportunity for the library community to learn more about MLA's advocacy and legislative priorities including funding, elections, property taxes, literacy, internet access, privacy, intellectual freedom, and more. Each month, we will address a new topic and share any pending legislation introduced in the House or Senate that could impact the Michigan library community. Open discussion and Q & A will follow the interview-style agenda.

Monthly sessions will take place generally on the third Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM. Advocacy Hours are free to attend to anyone interested in joining the conversation! A maximum of 500 attendees can join each live event. Registered attendees will receive information and a link to access the meetings on the Zoom platform. 

Please note recordings of all MLA Advocacy Hours are available to watch for free and on-demand at MLA Connect On-Demand.