Take Action for Libraries Today - Reach out to Your Legislators

April 23, 2020

MLA continues to reach out to all of our Senators and House members to remind them of the importance of libraries throughout Michigan. We encourage you to reach out to them as well and make sure that in these difficult times that they are hearing from you too. Since we cannot visit with them in person or invite them to hold their coffee hours at our libraries right now, we suggest you email them and let them know what you are doing, even with the physical doors closed. You can find their contact information by inputting your address at the following websites: Find your Representative | Find your Senator

Our state legislators need to know that access to digital resources, delivered by our libraries, has become critically important to our citizens in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Libraries have stepped up to successfully deliver these resources to our communities.

While all of our library buildings are closed, libraries continue to serve at the forefront of digital equity by supporting home broadband access and offering technical support. Many libraries have hotspot lending programs for under-served families and students who do not have internet access at home. Libraries offer e-books, audiobooks, online learning, and tutoring sites for homework help. They stream storytimes, book discussions, and author visits to engage readers of all ages. They offer access to skill-building activities and resume development for those who have been recently unemployed, as well as to telehealth resources and trustworthy public health information.

School and academic librarians have helped their institutions pivot to remote learning with direct instruction, digitization and curation of instructional materials, professional development for colleagues, and coordination of online instructional tools.

The following is from a press release distributed from the Kalamazoo Public Library to inform their patrons what they can take advantage of while closed, but we think it outlines exactly what our legislators would like to know about as well.

Today…call them or write them. You must stay in front of them and amplify your voice about the importance and relevance of your library. If our lobbyist could say anything to you right now it would be that “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” You must advocate for library resources that will go elsewhere if you do not. Find your legislators and contact information here: Find your Elected Officials.