Michigan Library Association

Letter from Debbie

May 28, 2020

Anyone else feel exhausted? Fatigued? I took the advice of one of our MLA Connect Coffee Hour speakers about taking care of yourself with a mental and physical break last week. Even when working from home, with nowhere to go due to the pandemic, it was time to slow the world down. I highly recommend it.

While we have been working remotely since March 13, the MLA staff continues to work hard on your behalf. I honestly believe that in MLA’s 129-year history, we have never needed to pay attention and synthesize so much information coming at us from so many sources, so quickly. The staff cancelled programming plans, made new plans, and are now updating plans to keep our advocacy, communications, education and engagement strong.

MLA Advocacy - February 22, 2018

The Budget Process Begins

Governor Rick Snyder proposed his 2019 budget. Library funding remains pretty much unchanged from 2018. This is step one in the budget process. Both the House and Senate will make their own recommendations. Any differences between the chambers are decided in conference committee. The proposed budget then heads back to the governor for his signature.

MLA Advocacy - March 22, 2018

Interior image of the Michigan State Capitol Dome

Michigan voters in November will elect a new governor, secretary of state, attorney general, Michigan supreme court justices, and both state and federal senators and representatives. This means that elected officials as well as candidates will spend considerable time campaigning throughout the next eight months. When the final weeks of lame duck session roll around we will be watching closely for any legislation impacting our libraries.

A number of ballot proposals will be decided in November as well. Here is a detailed outline of the proposal process and the questions we should expect to see this fall. This document is provided by MLA lobby firm GCSI.

Michigan Libraries to Remain Closed Through June 12, 2020

May 22, 2020

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY - LIBRARIES TO REMAIN CLOSED THROUGH JUNE 12, 2020.

At 5:00 pm on Friday, May 22, Governor Whitmer extended Executive Order 2020-69 which temporarily closes all places of public accommodations, including libraries through June 12, 2020.

Read Executive Order 2020-100

Libraries Must Develop a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan

May 19, 2020

Updated -- May 21, 2020 -- Governor Whitmer issues Executive Order 2020-97 - Rescission of Executive Order 2020-91 amending the standards set forth in EO 2020-91 to include new provisions governing outpatient health-care facilities.

In accordance with Executive Order 2020-91 all libraries must develop a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, consistent with recommendations in Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, developed by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).

By June 1, 2020, or within two weeks of resuming in-person activities, whichever is later, a business’s or operation’s plan must be made readily available to employees, labor unions, and customers, whether via the website, internal network or by hard copy.

View the OSHA handbook: Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

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