MLA Merch Design Contest 

Calling all artists, designers, doodlers, and creative library people! MLA is looking for original designs inspired by books, reading, libraries, intellectual freedom, banned books, or library life to feature on merchandise in the MLA Store.

FY27 Federal Budget Update

The federal government is currently operating under a continuing resolution (CR) that extends fiscal year 2026 funding through December 11, 2026. Before that deadline, Congress must pass all 12 appropriations bills or another CR to avoid a full or partial government shutdown. With negotiations underway and key decisions still ahead in the Senate, there is still time to make sure your Senators hear from you about the importance of federal support for libraries.

MLA and ACLU Partner to Track and Map Censorship Efforts in Michigan

Two years ago, the ACLU of Michigan launched an innovative online mapping tool that tracked book bans and other forms of government censorship throughout the state. MLA is excited to announce a major update in that work. Through our partnership with the ACLU of Michigan, we’ve worked together to complete the first comprehensive update to the map and brought it directly to the MI Right to Read website.

Michigan Libraries Secured Increased Funding in FY2027 Budget—Please Take Five Minutes to Thank Your Legislators!

On Tuesday, July 21, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Michigan’s FY2027 budget into law. Thanks to your outreach and advocacy, Michigan libraries secured several key funding wins: While many state departments and agencies saw budget reductions, State Aid to Libraries saw a one-time increase of $375,000.

Happy 135th Birthday, MLA!

On September 1, MLA will celebrate 135 years of serving Michigan’s library community!

Our story began in 1891, when Coldwater librarian Mary A. Eddy wrote to Detroit Public Library librarian Henry M. Utley about forming a statewide library association. On September 1 of that year, library leaders gathered in Detroit for MLA’s first meeting. And the rest, as they say, is library history!

October is Michigan Library Appreciation Month: Take Me to Your Library!

Get ready to celebrate Michigan Library Appreciation Month! This October, we're throwing it back Y2K style with the theme #LibrarY2K26: Take Me to Your Library!

The turn of the millennium was a time of rapid technological change, and more than a little uncertainty about what was coming next. Sound familiar? As artificial intelligence accelerates how we create, find, and share information, libraries continue to help people navigate change, discover new ideas, and find information they can trust.