Executive Director's Desk - June 14, 2018

State Aid to Libraries Gets Million Dollar Boost

Great news for libraries again this year. The Senate/House Conference Committee increased State Aid to Libraries by $1.0 million GF/GP over last year, which translate to a 9% increase and brings the per capita payments from $0.36 to $0.39. This is great news as we work to gradually rebuild this funding source. Our Senators Goeff Hansen (R-Hart) and Jim Stamas (R-Midland) worked hard to get that additional funding in the budget. Please take a moment to thank them for their unwavering support of libraries.

President's Update - June 14, 2018

I sometimes get worn out but I sure love the work that I am involved with. My day job keeps me busy supporting library systems for my consortium's member libraries. My institution is moving forward with change on many fronts. Working with the Michigan Library Association for the past several years has been encouraging and personally rewarding. And every spring I get to teach a course on library and information science. All of these things excite me, on top of my kids getting ready to enjoy the summer months.

MLA Advocacy - May 24, 2018

House Bill 5090 Reduces Library Funding

Thank you to everyone who contacted their Senators regarding HB 5090. There have been nearly 300 responses to our request urging your Senator to talk with Sen. Tom Casperson, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. After a meeting with the Senator's office today, we learned the bill will not move until the fall. The Senator has agreed to work with us to help address our concerns and MLA will testify at the committee hearing next week.

Contact your Senator TODAY to Save Library Penal Fines

House Bill 5090 must be stopped. House Bill 5090 changes how fines from weigh stations are distributed. Under the proposed legislation, failure to stop at a weigh station would be changed from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction and exempt certain vehicles. This means a reduction in penal fines to libraries since civil infraction penalties are lower than misdemeanor penalties.

This bill moved through the House without recognition of an analysis that found that it will reduce library funding.

Update from the Academic Libraries Interest Group:

Join the ACRL Instruction Section for its virtual annual program to discuss four stages of curriculum mapping.

Curricular Mapping - From Planning to Practice 
Thursday, May 31, 2018 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Executive Director's Desk - May 10, 2018

Recognition for School Libraries

The Michigan Association for Media in Education (MAME) has succeeded in having three bills introduced in the Michigan House that would require a school librarian in every school in the state. At MLA we fully support these bills and congratulate MAME on their effort and achievement. They worked tirelessly to raise awareness and garner attention to this crucial issue. These bills are recognition by legislators of the importance of school libraries and librarians to the education and well-being our youth.