Close up of Education Muse painted on the interior of the Capitol dome in Lansing, Mi

MLA Advocacy News

Written by Keeley Briggs

Michigan Libraries Secured Key Funding in FY2026 Budget—Please Take Five Minutes to Thank Your Legislators!

On Tuesday, October 7, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Michigan's FY2026 budget into law. Thanks to your outreach, education, and advocacy, Michigan libraries secured several key funding wins:

State of Michigan FY2026 Budget Update

With less than a week left before the constitutional deadline for the FY2026 state budget, uncertainty remains around state funding priorities—including resources that are critical for Michigan libraries. The budget impasse between the House, Senate, and the Governor’s office has stalled progress, and with the October 1 deadline looming, Michigan faces a possible government shutdown.

Federal Advocacy: Tell Congress to Fund Libraries in FY2026

The Congressional committees in the House and Senate that decide the federal budget have included funding for library services in the Institute of Museum and Library Services, as well as for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program in the Department of Education, in their latest bill drafts.

Contact Your MI State Representative and Senator TODAY

As budget negotiations in Lansing continue, library advocates must continue outreach to their legislators. We must ensure that lawmakers understand the importance of library funding—and that a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) line item must be included in the final version of the budget for federal dollars awarded to support Michigan libraries.

MLA Advocacy Action Plan FY2026

The MLA Advocacy and Legislative Committee finalized the Fiscal Year 2026 Action Plan. The plan outlines the top legislative priorities on both a State and Federal level, as well as an advocacy plan to promote the value of libraries and librarians to both legislators and the general public. View the MLA FY2026 Advocacy Action Plan (PDF).

More Articles...