Governor Whitmer Signs “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order

March 23, 2020

Governor directs all non-critical businesses to temporarily close, all Michiganders to stay home or six feet away from others during the COVID-19 crisis. Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order 2020-21, directing all Michigan businesses and operations to temporarily suspend in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life.

The order also directs Michiganders to stay in their homes unless they’re a part of that critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital or grocery store.  Read the news release. View Executive Order 2020-21.

Libraries Ordered to Close Through April 13

March 22, 2020

Governor Whitmer has issued Executive Order 2020-20 extending the deadline for closure of all public facilities to April 13, 2020. Learn more: View Executive Order 2020-20.

Sunsetting Interest Groups

March 20, 2020

With a new strategic plan to back up our programming priorities, the MLA Board of Directors has decided to put our full attention to strengthen standing committees and work groups and to sunset all MLA Interest Groups, effective Friday, March 20.

New Strategic Plan and Mission

March 20, 2020

Last August, when we began asking what you wanted from MLA you stated that you want MLA to be intentional about our future, to move the needle on advocacy, to look outward at other industries to address global trends, and bring a fresh, new perspective to our collective impact. With that said, MLA is proud to unveil our 2020-2022 Strategic Plan that will serve as a road map for MLA.

Contact Your Federal Legislators and Urge Them to Include Libraries in COVID-19 Relief and Economic Stimulus

March 18, 2020

The U.S. Congress is currently considering COVID-19 (coronavirus) relief and economic stimulus legislation, and likely will consider additional economic relief proposals in the future.

Your legislators need to hear directly from you that they must include libraries in COVID-19 relief and economic stimulus. They also need to hear specifically about how COVID-19 is affecting you and your library.

Update on COVID-19 and Michigan Libraries

March 17, 2020

Governor Whitmer released Executive Order 2020-9 which states that beginning on Monday, March 16 at 3pm, all Michigan libraries (public and academic) have been directed to close through March 30th. Her Executive Order 2020-5 included all K-12 schools inclusive of all school libraries through April 5th.

In addition, the American Library Association (ALA) has just released a statement urging our nation’s libraries to close and encouraging libraries to ensure that all library workers receive fully paid leave, including health coverage, while libraries are closed. Read the statement here.

MLA commends Governor Whitmer for her leadership and commitment to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in all libraries throughout Michigan. We are living in unprecedented times, and as we all know, each day, each minute, brings new information to light of this global health crisis. We must all do our part to help limit the spread of this virus.