MLA Advocates for Upgraded Vaccine Eligibility for Library Workers

January 25, 2021

We know vaccine eligibility is of great concern to many Michigan library workers. MLA is advocating for COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for library workers using a two-pronged approach. We are requesting the prioritization of public and academic library workers as essential service providers in the vaccine rollout program and we are also providing a template for library leadership to use to contact their local health departments.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations place our school and academic library workers in Phase 1b of a vaccine rollout, but public library and archive workers are in Phase 1c. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) guidelines (Michigan COVID-19 Vaccination Interim Prioritization Guidance – January 6, 2021) prioritize vaccine allocation for only K-12 school personnel, including K-12 library workers, in Phase 1b of the rollout.

Library Board Meetings Continue Virtually

January 22, 2021

On January 22, 2021, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated its epidemic order (https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98455-550215--,00.html) with some modifications allowing additional specific indoor activities. The order takes effect on February 1 and remains in effect until February 21, 2021. All library board meetings must remain virtual. In fact, all public meetings, remain prohibited.

Learn More About the American Library Association at ALA Midwinter - You're Invited to Attend ALA Council Sessions and ALA's Member Meeting

Communication from the Michigan Library Association’s ALA Councilor, Jennifer Dean

As MLA's ALA Chapter Councilor, I have the honor of representing MLA members - and, in some ways, the state of MI - on the ALA Council.

With the ALA Midwinter meetings coming up beginning this weekend, I wanted to let you know of a number of sessions that you are invited to attend. If you've ever wanted to know more about the business of ALA and how some decisions are made, you are welcome to sit in on a Council session, or for a part of one - unless the Council is in closed session. Only Councilors may speak at Council sessions unless feedback from others in attendance is specifically solicited. (Council sessions can run pretty long even without additional input...)

Together we can combat the danger of disinformation and strengthen our democracy.

A message from MLA President Jennifer Dean

January 8, 2021

The Michigan Library Association (MLA) condemns the violent attack on our nation’s Capitol. The wanton destruction, looting, and racist and anti-Semitic sentiments our nation was subjected to on January 6, 2021, are antithetical to our core constitutional principles and the ideals of justice and reconciliation to which our nation aspires today. This relentless attempt to thwart the peaceful transfer of power at the heart of our democracy, beginning with baseless claims of fraud and culminating in the tragic loss of lives, was a conflagration of deliberate disinformation, misuse of authority, and a desire to reassert dominance based on centuries-old systems of white power and privilege.

Governor Whitmer Signs SB611 - Amendments to the Library Privacy Act

December 29, 2020

On December 29, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed into law Senate Bill 611 - now Public Act 315 of 2020 - amendments to the Library Privacy Act. We are eternally grateful to bill sponsor Senator Peter MacGregor and to all of the library advocates that helped us get this across the line and signed into law.

MDHHS Revises and Extends Emergency Order

December 21, 2020

On December 19, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) again revised and extended the Gatherings and Face Mask Order to allow indoor activities where Michiganders can remain masked, including in-person learning at high schools and indoor entertainment venues. Learn more

This order takes effect beginning on December 21, 2020, at 12:01 am, at which time the December 7, 2020, order entitled Gatherings and Face Mask Order is rescinded. This order remains in effect through January 15, 2021, at 11:59 pm.

View the Emergency Order under MCL 333.2253 – Gatherings and Face Mask Order.