Michigan Library Association

Written by Ryan Wieber, MLA President

Note From Ryan

Intellectual freedom and access to information are core to librarianship, and we all play important roles in maintaining both within our respective libraries. Targeted banning efforts over the past year or two across the country and now punctuated recently in Michigan libraries, illuminate the real-life consequences of coordinated efforts to limit freedom and patrons’ right to read. The events at Hillsdale, Patmos, and many others bring home the need for you, your organization, and your stakeholders to be prepared on how to respond to challenges, and how to positively and confidently project not an argument or defense—but a patron’s right to read—and the vital responsibility of libraries to uphold that.

Legislation to Allow Virtual Meetings Introduced in Michigan House and Senate

October 5, 2020

New bipartisan support in both the state Senate and House concerning virtual meetings has been introduced - Senate Bill 1108 and House Bill 6207.

The legislation would amend the Open Meetings Act (OMA) to allow for electronic “virtual” meetings to take place without an executive order suspending some requirements, under specific circumstances. The changes would allow for remote participation during a statewide or local declared state of emergency, or for a public body member with a medical condition. These bills also would allow in-person meetings and a combination of virtual and in-person arrangements.

Michigan Supreme Court Strikes Down Gov. Whitmer's COVID-19 Executive Orders - MLA Recommends Libraries Continue to Follow Reopening Plans Currently in Place

October 5, 2020

In light of the Supreme Court ruling late Friday that struck down months of executive orders by Governor Gretchen Whitmer that were aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus, the MLA Advocacy and Legislative Committee recommended the following be retained within any new mandates:

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MLA Youth Literary Awards Lists

Visit us on the web at milibraries.org/youth-literary-awards to learn more about the MLA Mitten, YouPer (Young Person), and Thumbs Up! Awards, download award seals to use at your library or view lists of past winners and honor books. Click here to view the 2022 Youth Literary Awards announcement on Facebook to give it a share and a like!

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