Note From Dillon

In recent years, libraries in Michigan and across the country have found themselves at the center of conversations around intellectual freedom and information access. For MLA, much of our work since 2021 has been focused around these discussions and engagement with libraries, stakeholders, and Michiganders about constitutionally protected freedoms. Our MI Right to Read coalition was founded to provide support to libraries facing book bans, to equip advocates with the tools they need to fight back, and to educate Michiganders on the importance of the right to read. Our experiences here in Michigan mirror much of what we’ve seen in other parts of the country and point to a sustained attack on the First Amendment and civil rights laws long championed by our libraries, communities, and courts.

That’s why MLA is convening Michigan’s first statewide Intellectual Freedom Summit. Designed to bring together library leaders and advocates, this event is a chance for our community to come together at a pivotal moment to help shape what comes next. When MLA created our MI Right to Read coalition, we knew it would be important to get ahead of the censorship trends we were seeing in other parts of the country before they became as endemic here in Michigan. Our Intellectual Freedom Summit represents the next phase in our work to proactively support Michigan’s libraries. We are thrilled to bring together passionate advocates and offer a collaborative space to chart our course. Our work together will focus on establishing a statewide policy framework, identifying gaps in support, and strengthening cross-sector collaborations that build winning coalitions for the right to read.

We know that this conversation needs to be driven by the librarians and library workers who uphold intellectual freedom every day. The strength of MLA’s support is dependent on the collective insight and experiences of Michigan’s library community, and we’re eager to listen, learn, and ultimately ensure our advocacy efforts reflect on-the-ground needs in communities across Michigan.

Thanks to generous support of MI Right to Read initiatives from the Mellon Foundation, your registration, overnight accommodations, and meals will be provided at no cost to you. We hope you’ll consider joining us at the AC Hotel in Lansing on June 10–11 for the two-day summit. I’m looking forward to working alongside all of you and position Michigan libraries to lead with confidence and purpose when it comes to defending the freedom to read.