MLA Connect Advocacy Hour with Williamston Theatre

Thursday, April 2, 2026
10:00 - 11:00 AM

Experience art meeting advocacy in this special MLA Advocacy Hour with the Williamston Theatre. Enjoy a short live excerpt from the play Bad Books by Sharyn Rothstein. Then Michigan library leaders and Williamston Theatre production team members will have a candid conversation on book challenges, difficult library confrontations, and the growing impact of censorship. Discover how art mirrors real-life situations and learn more about MLA’s MI Right to Read initiatives to protect intellectual freedom.

Panelists

Michele Howard, Director of the Traverse Area District Library and MLA's Advocacy and Legislative Committee Chair

Jenny Marr, Executive Director of the Capital Area District Library and MLA's Board President

Erin Schmandt, Director of the Caro Area District Library and a member of the MLA Board

Tony Caselli, Williamston Theatre Artistic Director and Director of Bad Books at the Williamston Theatrex`

Sharyn Rothstein, Bad Books playwright 

Register

Advocacy Hour conversations are always free to attend but registration is required. 

MLA Connect Advocacy Hours are an opportunity for the library community to learn more about MLA's advocacy and legislative priorities including funding, elections, property taxes, literacy, internet access, privacy, intellectual freedom, and more. Each month, we will address a new topic and share any pending legislation introduced in the House or Senate that could impact the Michigan library community. Open discussion and Q & A will follow the interview-style agenda.

Monthly sessions will take place generally on the third Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM. Advocacy Hours are free to attend to anyone interested in joining the conversation! A maximum of 500 attendees can join each live event. Registered attendees will receive information and a link to access the meetings on the Zoom platform.