Michigan Library Association’s MI Right to Read Awarded $600,000 Grant by Mellon Foundation

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Library Association (MLA) is pleased to announce that the Mellon Foundation has awarded MLA a $600,000 grant to support the MI Right to Read initiative. For the past year, MLA has worked to secure this pivotal funding to strengthen and expand MI Right to Read and its work promoting intellectual freedom and championing the free flow of information. This recognition from the Mellon Foundation underscores the initiative’s significant impact on libraries, library professionals, and communities across the state.

To lead the next phase of MI Right to Read, Amber Sheerin, who has served as MLA’s Event Director for the past six years, has been promoted to Program Director. She will oversee the initiative’s programs and services during the 15-month grant period. “It will take a very dedicated and knowledgeable person to oversee the implementation of the grant,” stated MLA Executive Director Debbie Mikula. “We know we have found the right person in Amber.” 

Sheerin, a Ferris State University graduate with a certificate from New York University School of Professional Studies, brings extensive experience to the position. Her personal commitment to intellectual freedom is evident through her work on initiatives like MLA’s Think Space—an immersive program for library directors advancing the freedom to read and learn, as well as her work hosting MLA’s monthly advocacy hours. Her strategic approach to speaker selection, topic curation, and guided discussions played a key role in securing statewide recognition for MLA’s leadership on intellectual freedom issues. A Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Digital Event Strategist, Sheerin was honored as the 2023 Innovative Planner of the Year by Meeting Professionals International’s Michigan Chapter. Since joining MLA’s leadership team in 2019, she has delivered presentations at state and national conferences on organizational strategy, financial management, and leadership best practices.  

“Building and strengthening MI Right to Read achieves a comprehensive and proactive approach to address the issue of book banning and censorship in libraries - emphasizing local partnerships, public messaging, education, mentorship and engagement,” stated Sheerin. “I am excited to get started and to incorporate new statewide and regional events that will gather input and build collective strategy as we continue to address intellectual freedom challenges.”  

Since its launch in 2021, MI Right to Read has become a national model for addressing book banning and censorship. Through the initiative, MLA has created a dedicated website, forged strategic partnerships, conducted statistically valid statewide polling, and released a statewide messaging campaign. Moving forward, MLA will intensify efforts to counter book bans at libraries in Michigan. With these additional grant funds, MLA will incorporate key priorities to promote a welcoming environment and access for all citizens at Michigan libraries, develop and build a broad collection of materials, maintain freedom of information and expression, and champion the exceptional qualifications of our librarians.

“This work is more urgent than ever as the volume of attempted censorship efforts continues to rise, leading to restrictions on access to information,” said Mikula. “With the generosity of the Mellon Foundation, MLA will continue setting a profound statewide strategy upholding the freedom to read and speak, ensuring Michigan’s libraries remain spaces of free inquiry for all who walk through their doors.”

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MI Right to Read is an initiative of the Michigan Library Association (MLA), coordinated through the leadership of the Intellectual Freedom Task Force. The Michigan Library Association is Michigan's oldest and largest library association. Since 1891, MLA has led the advancement of all Michigan libraries through advocacy, education, and engagement. MLA's membership is comprised of individual and organizational members from public, academic, school, tribal, and special libraries. For more information, visit milibraries.org.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. The Foundation believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom that can be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. Learn more at mellon.org.