Michigan Library Association

MLA Hosts Roundtable With Attorney General Dana Nessel

On November 13, MLA brought together library leaders from across Michigan for an energizing roundtable with Attorney General Dana Nessel at the Kent District Library Service Center in Grand Rapids. More than just a policy discussion, the gathering underscored the shared commitment between Michigan’s library community and the Attorney General’s office to protect access to information and opportunity for Michiganders.

Remembering Randy Riley

The Michigan Library Association mourns the loss of Randy Riley and expresses our deepest sympathies to his family and friends, the Library of Michigan team, and the hundreds of colleagues and friends across Michigan’s library community.

As Michigan’s State Librarian since 2014, Randy’s passion, character, and commitment to the betterment of libraries were always evident in his work. Today, MLA honors the life and legacy of our friend and library champion, Randy.

Written by Dillon Geshel, Interim Executive Director

Michigan’s Trial Court Funding Recommendations Threaten Vital Support Earmarked for Libraries

Dillon Geshel, Interim Executive Director

In 2017, the Michigan Legislature created the Trial Court Funding Commission, which spent several years developing recommendations to help stabilize the court’s funding system. In 2023, the Michigan Judicial Council formed the Alternative Funding for Trial Courts Workgroup (AFTCW) to review those recommendations and develop a plan for implementation. Why is this of interest to libraries? A familiar funding source for libraries, penal and civil fines, is at risk of capture under the workgroup’s recommendations. The workgroup’s final concept paper proposes that all revenue from penal fines and civil infractions is redirected to trial courts, which would have a disastrous impact on Michigan’s public libraries.

More Than 4,300 Michiganders Join MLA to Defend the Freedom to Read

On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the Michigan Library Association (MLA) hosted a press conference at the Lansing Center during MLA’s 2025 Annual Conference to announce the success of the Protect MI Right to Read petition campaign.

Federal Funding Uncertainty for Libraries and Polling Support from Michiganders

In June 2025, MLA commissioned a statewide poll to learn more about Michiganders’ attitudes towards public libraries and book bans. That poll also included questions around the uncertain future of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and federal funding for libraries.

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