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Michigan Library Advocacy Day 2023

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

STRONG LIBRARIES = A STRONGER MICHIGAN

On Tuesday, April 25, the Michigan library community will unite to amplify our collective voice in support of all Michigan libraries at MLA's Michigan Library Advocacy Day! Passionate and committed library advocates from all across Michigan will join together in person in Lansing to represent our public, school, academic, tribal and special libraries. Our theme: Strong Libraries = A Stronger Michigan!

This event is sold out. Please contact us at [email protected] to be added to the waitlist for the event! 

Michigan Library Advocacy Day is Sponsored by 

Michigan Library Advocacy Day Partners 

Location

Heritage Hall
State of Michigan Capitol 
323 W Ottawa Street 
Lansing, MI 48933

The group photo and Read-In will take place on the Capitol steps.

The Libations with Librarians networking reception will take place at the Governmental Consultant Services, Inc. (GCSI) office located at 120 N Washington Square #110, Lansing, MI 48933.

Hotel Information

Courtyard by Marriott Lansing Downtown
600 East Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48912

The group rate starts at $139 per night. Please click here to make a reservation. Reservations are accepted until April 12, 2023.

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Registration Rate and Deadlines

The cost to attend is $25 and includes a boxed lunch, event t-shirt, and individualized scheduling.

You don’t need to be a member of MLA to participate in Advocacy Day. However, you must register through the MLA website and create an MLA account. If you don't have an account with us, you can create one under "New Users" at the registration link below. 

Michigan Library Advocacy Day participation will be limited by the capacity of Heritage Hall.

This event is sold out. Please contact us at [email protected] to be added to the waitlist for the event!

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Advocacy Day Schedule

*Subject to change

The day begins at Heritage Hall at the Michigan State Capitol with coffee and conversation and a formal welcome from State Librarian Randy Riley, and MLA President Scott Duimstra. MLA’s lobbyist Bob DeVries will then share an overview of MLA's priorities and how the legislative visits are structured. Senator Gary Peters has provided a video message to motivate our work for the remainder of the day.

At 12:15 PM all library workers and advocates will gather on the steps of the Capitol for an official photo under our banner: STRONG LIBRARIES = A STRONGER MICHIGAN. There will be several guest speakers including Senator Sam Singh, Senator John Damoose (invited), ACLU Executive Director Loren Khogali, and Plymouth District Library Board President Yasir Khogali, who will share inspirational words about the importance and value of libraries. Attendees can then grab lunch and check out some of Michigan’s awesome bookmobiles.

Advocacy Day participants and legislative staff will be given a meal ticket that will give them access to pick up a box lunch at any of the bookmobiles parked on Capital Avenue in front of the Capitol. We hope you’ll take the time to explore and check out the details of these great vehicles. You can have lunch outside on the steps of the Capitol, or, in the event of rainy or cold weather, we have reserved a space one block away from the Capitol at GCSI offices (120 Washington Square #110).

The afternoon will be focused on legislative visits! We also have special events planned throughout the day to make the most of your time between your meetings with legislators. 

In your personalized packet, you will have two spreadsheets – one alphabetized by legislator (as some visits will have more than one advocate involved depending on how many advocates come from a specific district) and one outlined by advocate. The spreadsheets will have the time and address of your legislative visits. We encourage you to be on time for these visits and to take into consideration that only a few offices are located in the Capitol.

Most legislative offices are within a five-minute walk from the Capitol. There will be a map of the legislative office buildings in your packet. You will also need to take into account a few extra minutes to stop at the reception desk at the Senate and House office buildings and check in for a Guest badge. Please bring your driver’s license to show at the reception desk.

To respect the time and work of our legislators on a session day, most visits will be scheduled for no more than 30 minutes. Some visits will be shorter or longer at the discretion of the legislator or their staff. Note that you may or may not meet with the legislators directly due to their schedules, but their staff will be there to listen and share your conversations later with your legislator if they aren’t available.

At 5:00 PM, we invite you to walk over to the GCSI office (120 N Washington Square #110) where many of our legislators will join us for “Libations with Librarians” until 6:00 PM. Make sure to invite your legislator! Even if you don’t meet them in person that afternoon, stop by their office and ask their staff to convey your invitation to the legislator. Flyers will be included in your registration packet for this purpose. At the reception, wear your name badge and be ready to find your legislator and introduce yourself. Don't forget to have fun and talk about your library!

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Special Events

There will be downtime between your legislative visits, so we want to make sure that Michigan library workers and advocates continue to make an impact while we are in Lansing. Read on for details!

Bookmobile Rally

Grab lunch while you check out some of the awesome bookmobiles in our state! After our photo op on the capitol steps, Legislative staff and Advocacy Day participants can pick up a box lunch at any of the bookmobiles parked on Capital Avenue in front of the Capitol. Legislative staff and advocacy day participants will be provided with a meal ticket. We hope you’ll take time to explore and check out the details of these great vehicles. We are expecting beautiful weather and hope you will partake of your lunch on the steps of the Capitol.  *Rainy/Cold weather – We have reserved a space one block from the Capitol at GCSI (120 Washington Square, 2nd floor) for you to partake of your lunch.

Libraries with bookmobiles are invited to bring their vehicles and park on Capital Avenue in front of the Capitol beginning at 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Special parking permits have been secured for our use. Please contact Amber Sheerin at [email protected] if your library has a bookmobile or book bike and is interested in participating. This is an opportunity to show off that investment not only to our library community but to our legislators as well.

Bookmobiles and Bikes in Attendance

Group Photo on the Capitol Steps

At 12:15 PM, all library workers and advocates are asked to gather on the steps of the Capitol for an official photo opportunity. Special guest speakers have been invited to join us and share words of inspiration. We encourage you to wear your new t-shirts so we are unified under our Michigan Library Advocacy Day banner. It will be a sight to behold!

"Call Out" on the House Floor

Representative Veronica Paiz will “Call Out” our library workers on the House Floor sometime between 1:30-2:00 PM. We will not have an exact time until that day but if you are not at a legislative visit, we hope that you will make your way to the House Gallery take a seat and listen for the call out. It will be a very proud moment.

READ-IN on the CAPITOL STEPS: For the Love of Reading

Tour the Capitol

The Michigan Library Association has scheduled an optional 45-60 minute guided tour of the Michigan State Capitol at 4:00 PM on April 25. Guided tours of the Michigan State Capitol feature the public areas of the Capitol including the Rotunda and the Gallery of Governors. Tours also include access to the Senate and House Galleries when available. Everyone who would like to participate in the guided tour must enter the Capitol at the Heritage Hall entry on Ottawa Street. The tour guide will meet you there. Preregistration is not required.

Libations with Librarians Networking Reception at GCSI

Explore CADL, Library of Michigan, and Downtown Lansing

The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau is generously providing lots of information about exploring downtown including food, beverage, and activity guides.

Don't forget that the downtown branch of the Capital Area District Libraries and the Cooley Law School Library are right up the street. Around the corner and about a 15-minute walk away is the beautiful Library of Michigan and History Center. The libraries will be highlighted on your map in your registration packet.

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Partnership Opportunities

Your organization is invited to partner with the Michigan Library Association at Michigan Library Advocacy Day and Read-In on the Capitol Steps! The deadline to become an event partner is March 24, 2023.

Library Association Partner - $250

This year, the Michigan Library Association is excited to be hosting an in-person Advocacy Day for Michigan libraries, library workers, and advocates and would like to invite other library associations, schools, and consortia in Michigan to join us as Library Association Partners!

Benefits of becoming a Library Association Partner include:

• Your organization name and logo will be added as a partner to the event website, MLA newsletter, social media, and signage at the event
• Full-day registration will be included for one participant from your organization
• Podium recognition during opening remarks
• You may provide a one-page overview of your organization which will be added to the packets that will be delivered to each legislator

Become a Library
Association Partner

Independent Bookstore Partner - FREE

This year, the Michigan Library Association is excited to be adding a very special event to Michigan Library Advocacy Day. The Read-In on the Capitol Steps will take place from 1:00 - 3:00 PM on April 25, and we invite all independent bookstores around the state of Michigan to participate and show support for the love of reading by encouraging your customers, patrons, and readers to travel to Lansing and bring their favorite book to read on the steps of the Capitol. While bookstores must register to participate, anyone and everyone is invited to attend the Read-In. No signs, no demonstrations, no political agenda, just a love of reading your favorite book.

Suggested activities for booksellers include:

• Assemble a caravan of cars filled with readers
• Have your readers wear gear with your bookshop logo or all the same color
• If you can't make it to the event, consider having a read-in right in your own shop
• Promote the Read-In on the Capitol Steps in your shop and on social media

For an optional fee of $50, your independent bookstore will be given the opportunity to include your store logo on the branded stadium seat cushions that will be given out at the Read-In on the Capital Steps. Ad space is limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Benefits of becoming an Independent Bookstore Partner include:

• Your bookstore will be added as a partner to the Read-In on the Capitol Steps on the website and social media
• MLA will provide a customizable one-page flyer that you can add your logo and distribute to your customers
• For an optional fee, add your logo to the Read-In on the Capitol Steps stadium cushions that will be distributed at the event (16 spots available)

Become an Independent
Bookstore Partner

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Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have additional questions.

What is included in my Michigan Library Advocacy Day registration?

If you register before 5:00 PM on April 3, 2023, your registration will include an Advocacy Day t-shirt, a boxed lunch, and a custom agenda. GCSI will schedule a meeting between you and your legislator(s) or their staff if they are available.

Is this event only for MLA members?

You do not need to be a member of MLA to register to attend Advocacy Day. Additionally, registration is not required to participate in the Read-In on the Capitol Steps.

How do I identify my state legislators?

When you register for the Michigan Library Advocacy Day, you will be asked to include your House and Senate district based on your home address (where you vote). This is the address that we will use to schedule your visits. If you would like to add additional visits with legislators using your work address, please indicate this on your registration.

It will be vitally important for you to get to know your State Senator and State Representative and learn a little bit about their background. What committees do they sit on? What issues are important to them? What are their leadership roles? Use the links below to do some advanced research.

How will my meeting be scheduled with my legislator?

MLA and GCSI will schedule your legislative visits. We will have your schedule printed for you in your packet when you arrive with the times and locations indicated. Legislative schedules are in flux and very fluid so we will not have your schedule until the day of your visit. In your personalized packet, we will have two spreadsheets – one alphabetized by legislator (as some visits will have more than one advocate involved depending on how many advocates come from a specific district), and one outlined for you. The spreadsheets will have the time and address of your legislative visits. We encourage you to be on time for these visits and to take into consideration that only a few offices are located in the Capitol. Most legislative offices are within a 3-5 minute walk from the Capitol. You will also need to take into account a few extra minutes to stop at the reception desk and check-in for a Guest badge. Please bring your driver’s license to show at the reception desk.  

To respect the time and work of our legislators on a session day, these visits will be scheduled for no more than 30 minutes. Some visits will be shorter, some longer at the discretion of the legislator or their staff. NOTE: You may or may not meet with the legislators directly due to their schedules, but if they aren’t available, their staff will be there to listen and share your conversations later with your legislator.

How should I prepare for Advocacy Day?

You will be provided with a packet the day of the event that will include a copy of the agenda, your schedule, a map, talking points, information to share about MLA and our partners, and details about the Capitol tour as well as any other resources you will need for a successful Advocacy Day. Make sure you review your legislators' committee assignments, leadership roles, and priorities ahead of the event.

The dress code for legislative visits is business professional.

What to Bring With You:

• Name Badge
• Business Cards
• 1-page flyer about your library
• Your driver's license or another form of personal identification. You will need this to check in for your legislative visits

What to Talk About at In-Person Meeting

Present the issues and actions you would like your legislators to take. Use personal experiences to emphasize the importance of these issues. Make sure you stay on topic, remain nonpartisan, and avoid discussions of elections and politics that aren't immediately relevant to your priorities. Offer yourself, your organization, and the host organizations as resources for finding solutions. Stay positive and focused!

Review our talking points here – these will also be in your packet.

• Use personal experiences to emphasize the issues’ importance
• Stay on topic, and don’t stray!
• Stay non-partisan
• Do not talk about the election and/or politics that do not pertain to the issues
• Offer yourself/your organization or MLA as a resource for finding solutions to the issues.
• Be positive!

Invite your legislator to Libations with Librarians Reception

Make sure to invite your legislator to Libations with Librarians Reception located at GCSI, 120 N Washington Square #110, Lansing, MI 48933 (2nd floor). Two flyers have been included in your packet – one for your Senator and one for your Representative. Even if you don’t get to meet in person, stop by their office and give the receptionist the flyer and ask them to convey your invitation to the legislator.

At the reception, continue to wear a name badge. Be ready to find your legislator and introduce yourself with your name, organization, and city.

Remember to have fun and talk about your library!

What should I do after Advocacy Day?

Within 24 hours, send your legislator a thank you an email. Use this as an opportunity to restate the issues you have addressed in the meeting. If the legislator asked for follow-up materials, make sure that it is attached to your thank you email. Continue to build a relationship with the legislator by staying in contact after the meeting. Invite the legislator to conduct office hours at the library, read to children or take a "backstage" tour.

What should I do if I am unable to make my scheduled meetings?

Please contact Lisa Buttigieg at [email protected] as soon as possible if you will not be able to attend Advocacy Day. It is vital that we keep the legislators informed so that they can remove your appointment from their calendars.

What do I need to know about visiting the libraries of downtown Lansing?

Cooley Law School is open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on April 25. Because the library is not open to the public, when you arrive, tell the guard you are with MLA. You will need to use a kiosk-type thermometer to enter. 

The CADL Downtown Lansing branch is open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The Library of Michigan is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

How can my organization be involved with Advocacy Day?

Partnerships are available for both Michigan Library Advocacy Day and the Read-In on the Capitol Steps! Please contact Debbie Mikula at dmikula@milibraries for further details.

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Talking Points and Resources

Priority Areas and Talking Points

Click the links below to review talking points on each priority area so you're ready to advocate for all Michigan libraries.

Funding - State Aid to Libraries

Michigan libraries need increased and secured funding to provide innovative and indispensable services. State Aid helps our library systems continue their mission to provide education, training, and resources to Michigan residents. Every Michigander needs convenient and timely access to the world of information — print, digital and electronic. We must continue to advocate for the resources that make our libraries innovative and essential in today’s world. Funding - State Aid to Libraries Talking Points (pdf)

Funding - Capital Improvements

Libraries, like other governmental entities, face challenges in making capital improvements to serve the needs of the public. Investing in capital improvements is a critical component of a library’s long-term financial health and operational capabilities. America’s aging library infrastructure faces challenges ranging from broadband capacity, skyrocketing energy consumption, mold, and accessibility barriers. Inadequate capital funding has made it difficult for libraries to address such concerns. Funding - Capital Improvement Talking Points (pdf)

Funding - Headlee Rollback

In Michigan, the majority of funding for public libraries (approximately 80% overall) comes from property tax revenues in the form of dedicated millages. The effect of the Headlee Amendment and Proposal A together means that millage rates are permanently reduced (or “rolled back”) during periods of economic growth, which achieves the desired outcome of protecting taxpayers from taxes that are too high. However, during periods of economic recession, when property values decline, there is currently no mechanism to restore millage rates to the amount voters originally approved. Funding - Headlee Rollback Talking Points (pdf)

Intellectual Freedom

Intellectual Freedom forms the bedrock for freedoms of expression, speech, and the press and relates to freedoms of information and the right to privacy. Intellectual Freedom is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Viewed as an integral component of a democratic society, intellectual freedom protects an individual's right to access, explore, consider, and express ideas and information and forms the basis for a self-governing, well-informed citizenry. Intellectual Freedom Talking Points (pdf)

Equity of Access to School Libraries/Librarians

All of Michigan’s students need school librarians who provide access to diverse resources, improve student achievement, prepare students for college and career, and support technology integration. We call on Michigan legislators to support policy and funding to ensure that no child is without access to a certified school librarian and that schools in Michigan be required to have a school library.

General Resources

State of Michigan Budget Cycle (pdf)

State of Michigan Budget Cycle Visual Summary (jpeg)

The Legislative Process in Michigan (pdf)

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