Michigan Library Association

Freedom to Read Legislation Introduced in House

On Thursday, November 7, new legislation to safeguard library materials from censorship and protect the right to read was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives. The Freedom to Read Act legislation, tie-barred House Bills 6034 and 6035, was introduced by Michigan State Representatives Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods) and Carol Glanville (D-Walker) and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Along with the MLA Board, staff, workgroup leadership, and the MI Right to Read Coalition, we are proud to endorse and share this newly introduced legislation.

Chapter and Verse: Storytime from the Stacks Podcast Debuts November 14

Our first episode of Chapter and Verse: Storytime from the Stacks debuts November 14, 2024 and will be hosted by the Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative and feature Ryan Tackabury, Director of the Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library in Imlay City.

Ryan Tackabury first started working in his school library while in High School, and then never left the profession. After nearly twenty years of experience serving Genesee County library patrons in various roles including as a Digital Services Librarian (yes, he can help you recover your email password, and he is happy to do it!), he remains excited about public service. Ryan now serves as the Director of the Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library, working alongside a talented and passionate staff. Ryan resides in Flint's historic Carriage Town neighborhood with his wife, a fellow librarian, their two book-loving children, and a book-indifferent Pug. When he's not talking up the library's value or spending time with his kids, Ryan is often found trying to convince friends to play ever more complex board games.

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Thursday, October 22, 2020 12:00 AM

MLA Connect Between Two Bookcases: With MLA 2020 Conference Chair Kevin King

Check out the latest MLA Connect: Between Two Bookcases, with MLA Membership and Communications Director Rachel Ash and Program and Event Director Amber Sheerin, and our special guest, MLA's 2020 Virtual Conference Chair, Kevin King.

Listen to the full interview here:

MLA Statements of Principle

For the past year, MLA’s Intellectual Freedom Task Force has been focused on refining our commitment to censorship challenges in our public libraries. We have found that we needed talking points to counter questions and concerns about age appropriateness and about rating and labeling systems. Over the course of the past two months, the task force, the Advocacy and Legislative Committee and the MLA Board have been workshopping these statements of principle that outline our stance when it comes to these challenges. These are statements that have been molded and shaped into shared messaging that reinforces our library values of protecting intellectual freedom for every citizen of Michigan.

Statement of Principle on Book Rating Systems and Labelling in Public Libraries (pdf)

Statement of Principle on Age Appropriateness and Placement of Materials in Public Libraries (pdf)

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