Michigan Library Association

Contact Your MI State Representative and Senator TODAY

As budget negotiations in Lansing continue, library advocates must continue outreach to their legislators. We must ensure that lawmakers understand the importance of library funding—and that a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) line item must be included in the final version of the budget for federal dollars awarded to support Michigan libraries.

Written by Erin Schmandt, Chair, MLA Nominating and Leadership Development Committee

Note From Erin

Erin Schmandt, Chair, MLA Nominating and Leadership Development Committee

MLA is based on the strength of its members. The Nominating and Leadership Development Committee cultivates leadership potential within MLA membership to maintain strong and effective governance and solicits and evaluates nominations of candidates for service on the MLA Board of Directors. We are tasked with seeking candidates to serve on the board and as officers. We often struggle with getting multiple candidates for the same role since librarians do not like to run against one another (we are nice and collegial, as a whole) and no one likes to lose. The membership would really like to see choices on the ballot though.

Call for Nominations for MLA Board

The Call for Nominations for candidates for the 2025 Board of Directors is now open! The Nominating and Leadership Development Committee (NLDC) is seeking nominations/self-nominations for four member-at-large directors as well as the President-elect position, with terms beginning in July 2026 and ending in June 2029.

State of Michigan FY2026 Budget Update

With less than a week left before the constitutional deadline for the FY2026 state budget, uncertainty remains around state funding priorities—including resources that are critical for Michigan libraries. The budget impasse between the House, Senate, and the Governor’s office has stalled progress, and with the October 1 deadline looming, Michigan faces a possible government shutdown.

Joint Statement on IMLS from Michigan Libraries, Museums, and Archives

On March 14, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) that adversely affects the only federal agency that provides resources to our nation’s libraries, museums, and archives. The EO “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy” directs the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to eliminate non-statutory programs and reduce its functions and personnel to the minimum required by law. For IMLS, this would mean a dramatic reduction in its scope and capacity to support our nation's cultural institutions. Libraries and museums across the country will feel the effects of these cuts, particularly in areas reliant on discretionary funding and special initiatives.

Michigan receives modest federal funding from IMLS, but our 397 public library systems, 87 academic libraries, nearly 3,000 school libraries, 650 museums, and hundreds of historical organizations pride themselves on using these resources efficiently and innovatively to deliver outstanding programs and services. The changes to IMLS ordered in the EO would be devastating to the cultural and literary landscape enjoyed by all Michigan residents.

More Articles...