Michigan Library Association

House Budget Proposes Flat State Aid to Libraries, Anticipates IMLS Funding Cuts

Yesterday, Michigan’s House of Representatives moved its education budget through subcommittee, appropriations and approved the plan on the House floor. Because funding for the Library of Michigan falls under the Department of Education, the House Republicans’ budget gives us our first glimpse at their plan for public library funding in the next fiscal year.

Approved in a party-line vote, the House budget bill, HB 4576, preserves state aid to libraries, providing the same $16.5 million allocation as was approved for the current fiscal year. This is in line with the Governor’s original budget proposal for next year as well. Both budgets propose flat state aid to libraries in the amount of $16.5 million.

Michigan Library Millages August Election Results

Check out the roundup of the August 6, 2025, election results for millage issues on ballots around the state. We are pleased to share that every library millage on the ballots in Michigan this August passed! We are proud of the library boards, staff, and supporters for their work on these campaigns and their dedication to supporting their libraries. The Library of Michigan provides the listing of Public Library Millage Election Results from 2010 to the present, including the library millage type, if the millage is new, a renewal, or a renewal with an increase, the number of yes and no votes, the term, and the year it takes effect. View the results (pdf).

October is Michigan Library Appreciation Month

Libraries are where curiosity meets opportunity, where questions turn into discoveries, and where every Michigander can explore, learn, and connect with their community. This October, during Michigan Library Appreciation Month and MI Right to Read Week (October 5–11), we are excited to honor Michigan libraries and library staff with the 2025 theme: “Find Out.”

MLA Celebrates 134 Year Anniversary

As Michigan’s oldest and largest library association, MLA has been championing Michigan libraries for 134 years. Our story began in 1891, when Mary A. Eddy (a librarian at Coldwater Free Public Library) wrote to Detroit’s Henry M. Utley about forming a statewide library association. The first MLA meeting took place on September 1, 1891, in Detroit with just 37 members – enough librarians to elect five officers and even print their 40-line constitution on a tiny 3-inch by 6-inch card! From those humble beginnings, MLA has grown into a community of thousands of librarians, volunteers, and library supporters across the state.

IMLS Update: Current Status and Next Steps

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has seen partial restoration of operations following a federal court ruling in Rhode Island v. Trump. On May 13, Judge John J. McConnell Jr. issued a preliminary injunction halting the administration’s efforts to dismantle IMLS under Executive Order 14238, which had terminated staff and grants in March. The court mandated the reinstatement of employees and grant programs, prompting the administration to report progress by May 20, including the return of staff members and the restoration of competitive grants in the 21 plaintiff states.

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