Advocacy Day

Register

Join MLA, library professionals, and advocates from around the state as we convene in Lansing to meet with legislators to thank them for the work they have done in support of libraries and ensure they are continuing champions of the importance of libraries in Michigan communities. 

Advocacy Day Chairs

Honorary Chair Former State Senator Jack Brandenburg	Public Libraries Co-chair Larry Neal, Director, Clinton-Macomb Public Library	Academic Libraries Co-Chair Rachel Minkin, Head of Reference Services, Michigan State University	School Libraries Co-Chair Kathy Lester, Librarian, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools

Location

Morning Rally and Lunch
Cooley Law School 1^st Floor
300 S. Capitol Ave
Lansing, MI, 48933

To provide our members with the greatest value we encourage you to attend our networking and educational events at Cooley Law School, located one block south of the state Capitol, however, legislator appointments need to take priority in your schedule.  

All attempts will be made to secure an appointment with your legislator if registered before March 20, 2020, however, these appointments can be difficult to secure and are not guaranteed. Several attendees within the same district may have a group appointment scheduled rather than on an individual basis.  

The Michigan Library Association represents the needs of all libraries throughout the state by advocating on their behalf in the Michigan legislature. By participating in MLA’s Advocacy Day you will help establish a stronger voice for the library community in Lansing, develop important relationships with your local legislative leaders, and garner a greater understanding of the processes related to policy-making from individuals involved in the work on a day-to-day basis. Advocacy Day will also give you the chance to network with other MLA members and create opportunities for future collaborations.  

Building open and ongoing relationships with our legislators is the best way to effectively represent the interests of libraries and our communities on a statewide level. How do we do that? By encouraging constituents to visit them and explain why these issues are important. If you are new to advocacy or unsure how to have these conversations, we will help explain the main talking points as well as provide you with resources in your registration packet to best prepare you for the experience. 

Registration

Deadline to register for legislator appointments: Friday, March 20, 2020

Deadline to purchase a t-shirt: Friday, April 3, 2020.

Deadline to register for the morning rally event: Friday, April 10, 2020

Refreshments will be available throughout the day and are included with registration.

T-Shirts

The event is free, but we encourage you to buy an MLA Advocacy Day t-shirt to help increase our collective visibility. Shirts are $12.00 each and orders must be placed by Friday, April 3, 2020. MLA will receive a $1 donation to the education fund by First Impressions for each shirt order.

Location

Morning sessions and networking is located at

Morning Rally and Networking
Cooley Law School 1^st Floor
300 S. Capitol Ave
Lansing, MI, 48933

Michigan State Capitol Building
100 N. Capitol Ave
Lansing, MI, 48933

Senate Office Building
201 Townsend St
Lansing, MI, 48933

House Office Building
124 N Capitol Ave
Lansing, MI, 48933 

Parking

Several Parking options are located nearby. The closest option is the South Capitol Ramp at 320 S. Capitol Ave. Charges are $1.25/30 minutes with a daily maximum of $12.50. More information: https://www.lansingmi.gov/1391/Parking-Map-Locations  

Hotel Accommodations 

Hotel room blocks have been set up for any attendees who prefer to drive to Lansing on April 21. 

Fairfield Lansing West
810 Delta Commerce Dr
Lansing, MI, 48917 

Please call (517) 886-1066 and ask for the discounted MLA rate of $99

Hampton Inn & Suites Lansing West
900 N Canal Rd,
Lansing, MI, 48917 

Please call (517) 627-8381 and ask for the discounted MLA rate of $129  

Event Policies

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received in writing by email no later than five (5) business days prior to the program in order to qualify for a refund. A $35.00 processing fee will be applied to refunds for workshops. Within five (5) business days of the event, no refund will be issued. No-shows will be invoiced.

MLA Initiated Cancellation: If a Michigan Library Association professional development workshop, conference, webinar, or other training session is cancelled due to low registration or inclement weather, participants will be notified and fees, if applicable, will be refunded.

Consent

Registration and attendance at, or participation in, MLA meetings or other activities constitutes an agreement by the registration to the use and distribution of the registrants or attendees' image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions of such events and activities by MLA. Registrants also agree that contact information may be shared with conference sponsors and exhibitors for solicitation use before or after the event. Please contact MLA at [email protected] if you'd like to be removed from any list.

Code of Conduct

MLA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all participants and MLA staff. Each participant, including attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, service providers, is expected to understand and follow MLA policies and report any violations. These expectations apply to all MLA activities including those held in conjunction with MLA conferences, events and meetings, as well as online venues and social media.

The complete code of conduct can be reviewed here: Code of Conduct