Libraries Applaud Michigan Senate for Library Funding Support

Michigan Library Association (MLA) commends the Michigan Senate and Senate leadership for recognizing the importance of supporting the funding structure for Michigan’s libraries. Today the Senate voted 36- 2 to pass the seven-bill package allowing libraries to protect their dedicated special millages. Only Sen. Horn of Frankenmuth and Sen. Schmidt of Traverse City opposed the legislation. The bills, SB 579 and SB 619-624, will now move to the House Tax Policy Committee.

The library community appreciates the Senate’s support of solutions to help keep our libraries adequately funded. Today’s passage of legislation that would enable libraries to choose participation in tax captures validates the voters who go to the polls and overwhelmingly choose to support their libraries by approving a dedicated library millage. Many of these locally dedicated taxes currently are being withheld against the libraries’ choice and in many cases without the voting taxpayer’s knowledge or approval.

Read Michigan Library Association's official News Release.

The Michigan Library Association (MLA) is Michigan's oldest and largest library association celebrating 125 years of library support. MLA's membership is comprised of more than 1,250 individual and organizational members from public, academic, private and special libraries. Guided by the belief that free and open access to information is the cornerstone of a free society, the Michigan Library Association advocates for libraries and the free access of information on behalf of the state's residents.