Michigan Library Association

Note From Debbie

February 27, 2025

MLA is proud to serve a vibrant and growing membership. Our mission and commitment drive everything we do and as we close in on the final meetings to update our strategic plan, we are even more committed. Every day we are making sure that you are informed through online and in-person events—through our pillars of advocacy, education, and engagement.

With that said, we want to make sure that you know that MLA’s leadership (on the board, staff, and committees) is closely monitoring the fast-paced discussions that are taking place in our country, and we will continue to strongly and loudly advocate for the essential and critical role that libraries play in our communities throughout Michigan.

MLA Wins PACE Award for MI Right to Read Campaign

In 2023, MLA worked with PR firm Martin Waymire on a six-month campaign promoting the MI Right to Read coalition. This May, Martin Waymire and MLA were honored by the Central Michigan chapter of the Public Relations Society of America for the MI Right to Read campaign.

Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks New Episode Drops February 13

Subscribe to Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks and tune in on February 13! Our February episode will be hosted by Steven K. Bowers, Executive Director of The Library Network Cooperative serving libraries in Southeast Michigan and feature Azita Frattarelli, Director/Youth Librarian at the Riverview Veterans Memorial Library in Riverview.

Celebrate MI Right to Read Week

Get ready to celebrate Right to Read week here in Michigan! This September 22-28 we are sharing a positive and proactive message that emphasizes access, diversity in library collections, librarian qualifications, and protection of our First Amendment rights. Here’s an example of our creative campaign using the ALA theme of “FRead Between the Lines.” Using black out poetry each day, we will have a new and inspiring message that we hope you will share with your patrons. Watch our social media sites for 7 different versions of our campaign. We’ll have them posted on our website in advance so you can grab them if you want as well.

2025 Budget Update

Never wanting to keep MLA members in the dark, we are finally able to share the state of Michigan budget with you (links below for the House Fiscal Agency Conference Reports for the General Omnibus Budget and the School Aid Fund). With little to no advance public review of the budget, in the early morning hours today, the FY25 State of Michigan budget (beginning October 1) has finally passed through the conference committee, the Senate and the House. The budget now awaits the Governor’s signature before the July 1^st deadline. (Just as a reminder, she also has line item veto power, so nothing is in stone until she signs.)

While we haven’t had time to digest the entire budget, we have highlighted some of the items that we have been watching including (DRUMROLL PLEASE) a $1,000,000 increase to State Aid bringing it to $16,567,700.

And while we didn’t get everything we asked for in the budget…your voices were heard and communications with your state legislators made a difference! Advocacy is a full year commitment – it never ends, so keep up the good work. We are #StrongerTogether. MLA will share more details soon on other MLA priorities.

Thank you MLA Members!

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