MLA 2023 Annual Conference Call for Proposals

The Michigan Library Association invites proposals for Breakout Sessions at the MLA 2023 Annual Conference to be presented in person, October 18 - 20, 2023, at the Radisson Hotel in Kalamazoo.

Take Five Minutes Today to Build a Relationship With Your Legislators

Being a good library advocate means that you must first build good relationships and the first step to building a good relationship with your Michigan legislators is introducing yourself!

Governor Whitmer’s Budget Recommendation

On February 8, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released her fifth executive budget recommendation of $79 Billion that “will lower costs, grow Michigan’s economy, and build a brighter future for anyone who wants to call Michigan home.” The Governor and State Budget Director Christopher Harkins outlined the proposal to a joint session of the Senate and House Appropriations committees.

Get Involved! The 2023-2024 Call for Ambassadors is Open

The Call for Ambassador online signup for 2023-2024 workgroups and committees is now open! Applications are accepted through April 28, 2023.

ALA Councilor's Report - February 2023

At the 2023 LibLearnX (LLX) conference the ALA Council sessions were divided into a special session and two regular meetings. 

The special session focused on finalizing the language and recommendations of council members in the bylaws draft before it is put to vote by the general membership as the singular governance document. Several amendments and recommended changes were addressed by members of council regarding the language of the bylaws draft document. These included discussion of amendments concerning intent and language for the policies establishing or defining articles of the new bylaws:

Note From Debbie

For the past year, MLA has watched irresponsible and egregious legislation introduced in states like Texas, Florida, Missouri, and others, on libraries and book censorship. Yesterday, we acknowledged that we are not immune here in Michigan. 

A northern Michigan legislator from Charlevoix Co. Representative Neil Friske (R-107) introduced (with no co-sponsors) House Bill 4136 which would amend the Library Privacy Act and require local public libraries to locate all sexually explicit and obscene material (not defined) in a restricted area of the library and only be accessible to those 18 years or older. Any individual finding the library out of compliance could file a complaint against the governing body of the library in court. If the court finds the library has failed to comply, the court would require the library to close until the violation has been resolved.