Library of Michigan
Michigan Genealogical Council
Photo courtesy of the Michigan Library and Historical Center and Pure Michigan.
July 28, 2010
Dear Genealogists,
There has been some confusion and some misinterpretation about the MCIR Board report released by Governor Granholm. With so much uncertainty surrounding the collections and the Library of Michigan this past year, rumors and misinterpretations increase exponentially each time they are repeated.
The MCIR Board was appointed to serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor. We are pleased with their conclusions and recommendations regarding the genealogical collections at the Library of Michigan (LM); however, the recommendations are just that; advisory recommendations. The Governor will decide if she wishes to follow those recommendations.
Also, this is only one piece in the puzzle in the future of the collections at the Library of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE), is the department responsible for the administration of the Library. They do this following the mandates and budget guidelines given them by the Governor and any legislation passed and signed into law by the Governor.
Unfortunately, with a projected 23 percent cut in funding proposed for fiscal year 2010-2011 (beginning October 1, 2010), MDE and the Library of Michigan have difficult choices to make. These were spelled out in their February 12 memo that detailed how MDE and LM were going to comply with the cost saving measures dictated by the two Executive Orders issued last year, and still maintain a high-level of service and accessibility with their core collections.
Randy Riley, Special Collections Manager for the Library of Michigan issued the following statement recently to clarify several misunderstandings and faulty conclusions:
"The state's current budget situation has required the Library of Michigan focus more closely on our core missions of collecting/documenting the history and heritage of Michigan and maintaining materials that assist state government agencies in doing their work. Facing a 23% reduction in the budget for the next fiscal year, the Library has been forced to re-examine every program and service. The Library's staff will be "weeding" the Dewey and Main Collections in an effort to keep items that "fit" the core mission. After staff have thoroughly gone through the Dewey (4th floor) and Main (3rd floor) Collections and pulled items that align with our primary mission, Michigan libraries will be invited in to claim the remaining parts of those collections. The change of hours is temporary. It will allow staff to have the necessary time to work with the collections and evaluate the materials in question.
NO PLANS ARE IN PLACE AT THIS TIME TO MOVE THE NON-MICHIGAN FAMILY HISTORY COLLECTION TO THE ARCHIVES OR ANY OTHER INSTITUTION. Staff will only be working with the Dewey and Main Collections during the reduced hours. The family history collection will be accessible 1-5 (M-F) and 10-5 on Saturdays until September 7. Regular hours will resume on the 7th. If you have questions contact the Library of Michigan at (517) 373-1300 or librarian@michigan.gov.
Thanks for your support and kind wishes."
As Randy has stated, currently nothing has changed as far as the availability of the genealogy collections at the Library of Michigan. Hours of operation will be TEMPORARILY reduced from Aug 2 thru September 3 to permit staff to prepare the Main (third floor) and Dewey (fourth floor) collections to be distributed to other Michigan Libraries. Items of genealogical and historical significance are being separated by staff to be added to the Michigan and Genealogy — both Michigan and non-Michigan — collections.
Nothing will be resolved until a new budget passes. When this happens, final decisions will be made by the Library administration on the future hours, staffing, and services offered by the Library of Michigan. Anything offered up before that is only speculation.
For the latest factual information about Library of Michigan operations, collections and services, visit michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan. You may also contact them by phone (517) 373-1300 or e-mail librarian@michigan.gov.
We will continue to update you as the situation necessitates.
Best wishes,
Tom Koselka, Legislative Liaison
Michigan Genealogical Council
http://mimgc.org
July 19, 2010
The Library of Michigan has posted new temporary hours on their website http://michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan. It reads:
Notice Temporary Reduction in Hours
Beginning August 2 through September 3, 2010, the Library of Michigan's public hours will be 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. This action is part of the Library's response to budget cuts and reduced staffing and will allow us to complete distribution of materials from the Dewey and Main collections to other Michigan libraries. Regular hours will resume on September 7, 2010.
Circulation Change Notice
Items from the general collections (4th floor Dewey and 3rd floor Main) of the Library of Michigan are no longer available for checkout. This will allow us to prepare to offer those materials to other Michigan libraries.
The Library of Michigan's special collections (Michigan, Michigan Documents, Law, Rare, Genealogy, and Federal Documents) are still available as usual.
July 19, 2010
Governor Granholm has issued a press release detailing several of the conclusions and recomendations of the MCIR Board. The full text of the Governor's news release can be found on the Governor's web page MCIR Board Recommends Genealogy Collections Stay at Michigan Library and Historical Center. The full text of the MCIR Board report is available on the MCIR Board webpage http://michigan.gov/mcir under Meetings, Schedules & Agendas; Final Report PDF. The text of the Governor's release folllows.
MCIR Board Recommends Genealogy Collections Stay at Michigan Library and Historical Center
Contact: Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014
July 19, 2010
Urges Exploration of New Uses for "the people's building"
LANSING - In a report to Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention (MCIR) Board has recommended that the Michigan Library and Historical Center remain "the people's building" and current genealogy collections and resources stay at the facility with adequate funding.
The board also noted that up to 80,000 square feet of space in the Michigan Library and Historical Center could become available within the next two years. It recommended further exploration of three potential uses of the newly available space:
- The Innovative Education Center - a non-traditional school experience that fosters the love of learning essential to success by engaging middle and high school students in innovative thinking about the past and the future.
- The Michigan Leadership Center - focused on engaging high school youth and others in public policy and political leadership through research, study, debate and negotiation.
- The Family History Digital Center - a place where families discover, share and preserve their treasured memories and history.
"This report and its recommendations center on using the Michigan Library and Historical Center as a place of educational excellence, where future leaders can be molded and inspired to learn," said Department of Natural Resources and Environment Director Rebecca Humphries, who chaired the board. "The recommendations also emphasize the value that Michigan citizens place on preserving and sharing our heritage, while pushing to find new partnerships and programs that effectively serve the public - especially youth and families."
The report stresses the need for the state to seek partnerships with other organizations to further explore the feasibility of the three new uses of the facility. Reflecting public testimony, it recommends that the current genealogy collections and resources remain within the Michigan Library and Historical Center with adequate funding. It identifies long-term, stable funding for existing and new programs as a matter of serious concern.
The report notes that Michigan's current economy makes major capital investment in the facility unrealistic and advises, instead, a more fiscally conservative approach, building on existing programs and focusing on the up to 80,000 square feet in the building that will become available as the Library of Michigan eliminates programs and services to reduce expenditures and focus on its core mission.
Mike Smith, board vice-chair and director of the Walter Reuther Library at Wayne State University, stressed the board's belief that any new programs that come into the building must reinforce and expand its original purposes.
"More than any other state facility, this is the people's building," Smith said. "If space becomes available, it must be filled with functions that are compatible with the building's prominent public role."
Established by Executive Order 2009-36 as amended, the board began meeting in February. It received public testimony at each of its six meetings, convened five focus groups, and reviewed information provided by state agencies.
The Michigan Library and Historical Center currently houses the Library of Michigan, Michigan Department of Education; Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth; the Michigan Historical Center (Michigan Historical Museum and Archives of Michigan), Department of Natural Resources and Environment; and the State Historic Preservation Office and Office of the State Archaeologist, Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
For the full text of the report and other information about the board and its work, visit www.michigan.gov/mcir.
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The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state's environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/dnre.
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WKAR-FM (NPR) featured a story on the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention Board on Friday, June 25. Panel to recommend new options for State Library.
June 18, 2010
Dear Fellow Genealogists:
The Michigan Genealogical Council (MGC) would like to take this opportunity to bring everyone up-to-date on the events surrounding the collections at the Library of Michigan. We would like to thank everyone for their support as talks progressed.
As many of you are aware, the Library of Michigan is facing a projected 23 percent cut in funding and a loss of 13 staff positions (in addition to the 16 staff lost resulting from the Governor's executive order) by the end of this current fiscal year (September 30, 2010). Due to this projected loss in staff, Nancy Robertson, State Librarian, is forced to make a difficult decision. She has had to look at the services the library provides and make some painful cuts. One of the proposed cuts was to find new stewards for several of their collections, among them the non-Michigan genealogical collection.
The position of the MGC has always been that any solution must meet the following three (3) criteria:
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Keep the collection together under one roof.
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Keep the collection accessible to the public.
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Keep the collection under state control and protection.
In January, Governor Granholm announced her appointments to the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention Board. This board is still working on their recommendation (now due to the Governor on July 1, 2010). They have made it clear that their focus will be on the uses of the 2nd and 3rd floor of the building, and they will not make any recommendations in regards to the collections. MGC representative, Dr. Frank Boles, has attended every meeting and has done everything possible to express the position of the Council. We would like to thank Dr. Boles for all his hard work and efforts on our behalf.
During this time, the Michigan Historical Center expressed an interest in moving the non-Michigan collection to the State Archives. This plan was endorsed by the MGC as it met all three of our criteria, and we applaud both the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Education for being willing to work together to find a solution.
The cost of the move is estimated between $80,000 - $100,000. Due to many generous donations, no tax payer dollars would be needed to fund the cost of this move. The Michigan Genealogical Council has received permission from the Abrams Foundation to use $10,000 of money that was earmarked for the death record project to be diverted to this move. MGC also pledged $5,000 of its own money to this effort.
Many local societies are also willing to donate money, if needed. Pledges of support come in weekly. The MGC knows of, and would like to thank, the following societies that have pledged their support:
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Ingham County Genealogical Society
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Jackson County Genealogical Society
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Lenawee County Family Researchers
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Mid Michigan Genealogical Society
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Genealogical Society of Monroe County
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Stockbridge Area Genealogical/Historical Society
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Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County
Unfortunately, in March the Senate added language to the 2010-2011 Education Appropriation bill (SB 1154) that states the following:
Sec. 804. The department and library of Michigan shall maintain custody of all collections maintained, housed, owned, or otherwise kept by the library of Michigan in fiscal year 2009-2010, and shall not sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of those collections. The department and library of Michigan need not make the non-Michigan genealogy or federal documents collections available to the public.
The MGC has problems with this legislation. First, there was no additional funding, so it almost guarantees that the non-Michigan genealogy collection will not be made available to the public, and secondly it does not allow the transfer to the Archives, which would be able to keep the collection open to the public.
While well intentioned by the legislature, this has put negotiations on hold between the departments of Education and Natural Resources and Environment.
While this bill is currently in committee to negotiate the house and senate versions, this wording is not up for debate as this section of the bill was passed by both the House and the Senate. Therefore, this language will be heading to the Governor once the final bill is passed.
The major attraction at the Library of Michigan is not only the collections, but also the knowledgeable staff. If the non-Michigan genealogy collection is allowed to go dark, we will lose more than just access to the collection, the staff will be diminished. The genealogists in this state will have an uphill battle to open these collections and to reassemble a knowledgeable staff.
Currently, we are in a holding pattern, along with the library and archives, while we let the budget process play out. We are also keeping our eye on the MCIR board, and look forward to reading their recommendations to the Governor.
We will keep you informed as the process progresses. We hope to have more information in the next month.
In solidarity,
Cynthia Grostick, President
Thomas Koselka, Corresponding Secretary & Legislative Liaison
The latest information on the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention Board is available on their webpage.
Congratulations to Special Collections Manager Randy Riley, recipient of the 2010 Filby Award for Genealogy Librarianship.
Randy Riley and Jan Alpert, President of the National Genealogical Society.
March 28, 2010
Dear Fellow Genealogists:
There is a supplemental Department of Education Appropriations bill that has gone to the Governor for her signature. In that bill there is language that would prevent the library from disposing of the collections. This wording is also in the Department of Education's budget bill for the next fiscal year. However, there is wording about which we as a community need to be very cautious. It states that the collections need not be made available to the public.
While we are encouraged by the legislators' reaction to the plight of the Library of Michigan, we would like to remind everyone of a word of warning. There is a saying that says, "Be careful what you wish for, you may get it." While this wording would keep the collection together at the library, there is nothing in the bill that says when the economy gets better, it would then be available to the public. This language, as currently written, would allow the library to mothball its entire collection. The genealogists would then have another battle on its hands when the economy gets better to open the collections back up to the public.
The MGC wants to inform the community that negotiations are being actively pursued to develop better options including the possibility of moving the collection from the Library over to the State Archives. This would keep the collection available to the public during the hours that the Archives operate. If the collections remained open to the public, then seminars could still take place and bring Michigan those much needed tourism dollars. Private funding could provide additional flexibility.
As Curt Witcher testified on March 15 to the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention Board, Michigan could ride the increase in genealogy and heritage tourism due to the enthusiasm the "Who Do You Think You Are?" television series generates. If the collections are mothballed, then those tourism dollars would instead go elsewhere.
We do not object to this language being in the supplemental appropriations bill for this fiscal year. We consider it premature, however, for the community to endorse specific language for the next fiscal year's appropriations bills that might have the effect of limiting available options.
Rather, we would suggest that any representations of community endorsement should be limited to urging solutions that would keep the collections in one building, open to the public, and bringing in tourism dollars.
We may be able to recommend more specific measures in a few weeks. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at president@mimgc.org.
Thank you.
Cynthia Grostick, President
February 21, 2010
Dear Fellow Genealogists:
As you may be aware, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) issued a letter on Friday, February 12, 2010, regarding the status of the Library of Michigan and it's various collections.
On Wednesday, February 17, 2010, I met with Michigan's State Librarian, Nancy Robertson. The reality is grim. The library is facing a 23 percent cut in funding. This cut has forced MDE to examine what collections and services the library provides, and what the core functions of a state library are as stated in Michigan law. Based on that, MDE has determined what collections/services currently housed in the library fit the identified core services and which do not. It was a difficult and painful choice for them to make. Unfortunately, it was decided that while the non-Michigan genealogical collection and the Federal Documents collection are valuable, they do not fit into the core functions of a state library, nor is it mentioned in the state's constitution that the state must provide those collections/services. The Library is also facing a 13-person reduction in staff. They will have gone from 100 staff at its height, to 30 as of October 1, 2010.
Ms. Robertson also informed me that the library will become a non-circulating library. This means that they no longer need the second copy of items from the Michigan collection. Therefore, the second copies will go with the Genealogical collection. The items that do remain in the library's possession will be consolidated to the 4th and 5th floors.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) has invited Council to send a representative to the meetings of the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention Board (MCIR) as an observer, and we have been informed that we will be allowed to have limited time for comment. Dr. Frank Boles, Director of the Clarke Historical Library at Central Michigan University, a respected professional in the librarian and historical communities, has agreed to represent Council and the genealogy community as our spokesperson.
During times of crises, a process needs to be followed. The first step is information gathering, the second is evaluation, the third is negotiations, and the fourth is action. The MGC is currently working on gathering and evaluating information. While we understand that the community is outraged, we ask that everyone remain calm and let our spokesperson, Dr. Frank Boles communicate with the MCIR Board that is involved in the potential uses of the Historical Center.
Many alternative scenarios have been mentioned; however, MGC's goals are that the collections remain under one roof and under state control. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact MGC at migencouncil@att.net.
Thank you for your patience during this time of turmoil. We will continue to keep you updated as events unfold.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Grostick, President
Michigan Genealogical Council
State Librarian Nancy Robertson's statement to the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on K-12, School Aid and Education, questions and questions and answers about the Library of Michigan are available on the State Librarian web page.
Februray 12, 2010
Today I was sent the attached letter (from the Michigan Department of Education) by Nancy Robertson, State Librarian.
On a positive note, on Monday of this week, the MGC was invited by Director Humphries' office (Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment) to send a representative to the MCIR board meetings as an observer. Dr. Frank Boles, from Central Michigan University, has graciously agreed to attend on Council's behalf. Dr. Boles is a respected librarian and historian.
While the news coming out of the Department of Education is not good, please note that they are not closing the door on the Genealogical collection remaining in the current building altogether.
Please know that we are hopeful that we can work together with other groups and the current administration towards a positive resolution. The MGC will keep you informed as we are able.
Best wishes,
Cynthia Grostick, President
Michigan Genealogical Council
The Governor named her appointments for to the Board authorized in her Executive Order. While our nominee did not make the cut we are continuing to monitor the situation and further info will be presented to the membership as it becomes available. The following announcement may be found on the Governor's webpage.
Governor Granholm Announces Appointments to Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention Board
January 27, 2010
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following appointments to the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention Board:
Ron Boji of Orchard Lake, president of the Boji Group, is appointed to represent individuals nominated by the president of Michigan State University for a term expiring June 1, 2010.
Gregory Eaton of Lansing, partner with Karoub Associates, is appointed to represent individuals nominated by the president of Michigan State University for a term expiring June 1, 2010.
Michael Flanagan of Lansing, state superintendent of public instruction, is appointed for a term expiring June 1, 2010.
Rebecca Humphries of Lowell, director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, is appointed for a term expiring June 1, 2010.
Michael D. Moore of Lansing, president of Moore and Associates, chair of the Delta Township District Library Board, and member of the Historical Society of Michigan, is appointed to represent the governor for a term expiring June 1, 2010.
Nancy Skowronski of Detroit, former director of the Detroit Public Library and member of the Michigan Library Association, is appointed to represent the governor for a term expiring June 1, 2010.
Michael O. Smith of Farmington, director of the Walter P. Reuther Library at Wayne State University, is appointed to represent the governor for a term expiring June 1, 2010.
Bob Trezise of Lansing, president and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation, is appointed to represent individuals nominated by the mayor of the city of Lansing for a term expiring June 1, 2010.
Kate Pew Wolters of Grand Rapids, president of the Kate and Richard Wolters Foundation and chairperson of the Steelcase Foundation Board, is appointed to represent individuals nominated by the president of Michigan State University for a term expiring June 1, 2010.
The Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention Board was created to act in an advisory capacity to the governor to evaluate the potential for the creation of a Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention in partnership with Michigan State University and the city of Lansing or other public or private partners. The board is to consider potential ideas to preserve and maximize the benefits to the public of the existing Michigan Library and Historical Center, including public input and scrutiny regarding the most effective delivery of state library and historical services and facilities; and to recognize the importance of preserving unique historical assets and collections. The board is to complete its work and submit a final report to the governor by June 1, 2010.
These appointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.
Here is the MSU proposal for the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention, MCIR proposal as a PDF file. Please note, this is a very large file, do not attempt to download this if you are on dialup.
One month after the elimination of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL), the State of Michigan website has redesigned and reassigned the webpages of what was once HAL.
October 13 – The Bay City Times article Granholm signs $112.9 million education bill.
October 12 – The Courier Leader article Genealogical Society to discuss researching by way of Michigan Electronic Library.
October 8 – Observer & Eccentric Newspapers article Librarians ponder life without sharing.
October 8 – Associated Press analysis MI Dems' 'special fund' just a PR move.
October 1 – Lansing State Journal reports State shutdown over, employees on the job Thursday: Granholm signs interim, 30-day budget.
The Michigan Legislative web page has information on House Bill 4438 which is the Department of Education Appropriation Act (which includes funding for both local libraries and the Library of Michigan). Of special interest, the Conference Report (CR-1) dated September 28. This is the budget bill which came out of committee on Sunday the 27th. Before a budget bill becomes law, it must first be passed by the State House (House passed 74-34 on Septmeber 29), State Senate (Senate passed 22-15 on September 30), then signed by the Governor (signed on October 12 with no line items vetoed). This budget bill is a totally separate issue from the earlier Executive Orders.
September 29 – Upper Michigan Source - WLUC-TV6 reports Cuts affect UP libraries.
September 29 – Detroit News reporting Budget committee includes state fair in plan; full House cuts library funding.
September 29 – Gaylord Herald Times reports Protesters picket library to save state funding.
September 29 – Grand Haven Tribune explains Local library officials react to possible state cuts.
September 29 – Lansing State Journal article discusses funding challenges for the Capitol Area District Library System, Library services riding on budget — Proposed cut threatens loan system, databases. Be sure to read the reader comments at the end of the article.
September 29 Detroit News article Troy spirals into financial 'crisis'.
September 28 – Grand Rapids Press reports Proposed 40 percent budget cut to Michigan libraries may hurt interlibrary loan system.
September 23 Detroit Free Press report Budget woes could force Troy library closure.
The Federation of Genealogical Societies and National Genealogical Society online petition was collecting signatures from September 6 through October 1. The names of those who signed and their comments may still be viewed.
The following observation has been made, "The appropriate role of the existing Library of Michigan building is as a national model of good design, not as a target for dismantling."
As suggested by the words of one of our petition signers (#3388 – Cynthia Rustin) "the proposal to renovate the treasure that is the Library of Michigan to accommodate the MCIR is tantamount to suggesting that we can save money by recycling the Liberty Bell or the Statute of Liberty."
September 28 – Detroit Free Press article Budget negotiators slash libraries, prisons.
September 27 – Michigan Public Radio reports from the Associated Press, Legislators Vote to Cut Library Funding.
September 27 – Detroit Free Press bulletin Work continues to hash out budget.
September 27 – Jackson Citizen Patriot has an article Jackson District Library braces for cuts as state budget deadline looms.
September 25 – Lansing State Journal published a letter to the editor, State short-sighted.
September 18 – The Michigan Library Association reports a package of funding cuts is being negotiated by the House and Senate. Be sure to read Last Push to Protect Michigan Libraries!.
September 17 – Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter article, Update: Philadelphia will NOT Close All Free Libraries.
September 15 – American Library Association recaps events since the July 13 Executive Order Michigan Librarians Demand Full Funding for Resource Sharing.
September 15 – Kimberly Powell cites several examples of closings and severe cutbacks for libraries in her article, Libraries Closing Due to Budget Cuts in her About.com Guide to Genealogy.
September 15 – Shirley Gage Hodges has updated her series in the Global Gazette,
Update: Michigan Library Crisis.
September 15 – Library Journal article No Villains: Threatened cuts and partial restorations point out the ambiguous politics of library funding.
September 13 – St. Joseph Herald Palladium guest column Libraries are vital to Michigan's future.
Roger Moffat, of the Western Michigan Genealogical Society, in his blog describes Funding Public Libraries in Michigan .
September 10 – Michigan Radio report Pure Budget Problems explains for every dollar spent on the Pure Michigan ad campaign returns almost three.
Genealogists from all over Michigan came out in support of the Michigan Library Association Rally on Thursday, September 10. Here is the text of MGC President Cynthia Grostick's address at this rally.
Hello everyone,
It is wonderful to see so many people here to support the Library of Michigan. I would like to thank the Michigan Library Association for allowing me to speak here today. We would like to thank Michigan's senators and representatives for their help as well.
Back in August, at the rally sponsored by the Michigan Genealogical Council, we stood on these very steps and told Michigan's Governor and legislators that we were unhappy with the Executive Order. The Senate came up with a version to save the Library, and we applaud them for their efforts. The Governor than issued an Executive Directive, but I'm sad to say, did nothing about saving the collection. Then yesterday, Governor Granholm issued Amended Executive Order 2009-43.
The Council has requested a meeting with Michigan's Governor to discuss our issues, and we are awaiting a response to our request. If we could sit down with her, we would ask her to consider the following.
The famous expression from the movie The Field of Dreams is "If you build it, they will come." Well Michigan has been building this library's collection since before statehood in 1837. According to the World Book Encyclopedia, Michigan's state library had 131 volumes of books in 1828. We now have 27 miles of books, newspapers, microfilm, maps, federal documents, etc. We have a fabulous building, built specifically to showcase this collection, and people from all over the country visit daily. Do we really want to throw all that away? Other special collection libraries in this country have found a way to take advantage of their collection and bring a lot of tourism dollars to their states. Governor, let's keep this collection intact, in the building built specifically for it, and lets work together to bring those tourism dollars to this state.
The Library is the original documents depository for the state and has been a Federal Documents Depository since 1861. The Council hopes that the Library of Michigan will continue to be the regional Federal Depository for the State of Michigan and that it, along with the genealogical collection and the Archives will remain housed in its current location.
Genealogy is history. History is Genealogy. I was lucky in school to have a social studies teacher that understood. She taught her students more than just dates. She made the events personal. She put names to faces. She taught us that these faces also laughed, cried, and got scared. Just like us. In fact, they were us. In the news, we hear stories of how some leaders are trying to say that concentration camps never happened. Governor, my uncle, who served in World War II from Stockbridge, MI, was part of a unit that liberated a concentration camp. When he was telling me the story, it is the one and only time I have ever seen my uncle cry. It is libraries, like the Library of Michigan, that save those stories, like my uncle's, so we will never forget. The Library of Michigan can help our teachers to teach our children and future generations that historical events are more than just names and dates.
These records are also important to family physicians. If we know our medical history, it could save our lives and the lives of our children. If we know that our family has a history of cancer, then early detection and treatment could be a lifesaver.
It is still not clear if the plan is that Michigan State University will be allowed to come and take what part of the collection they would like. The rest of the collection is to be divided among whichever library would like it. I've been to the MSU library. They have a nice facility, and I'm sure a nice staff, but they do not have the room to house the collection. Is their staff trained in genealogy and history? The parking is atrocious, campus is a nightmare to travel, and they do not have the resources to handle both students and genealogists.
MSU also will get to take our building and make it a high school for 500, an Imax theater (do we really need another?) and a museum that somehow the logic is that more school kids will come visit because they'll charge a fee. There are several dollar figures floating around about how much it will cost to renovate the building. Who is going to pay for that? You? Me?
Speaking of resources and what makes a good library, I would be remiss not to mention knowledgeable staff. When someone goes into a library and needs help, they look to the librarians. A specialized library cannot have just anyone work in their collection. They need staff that is specialized in that field. On August 5, I spoke about Randy Riley and Kris Rzepczynski. However, the entire Library of Michigan staff loves that collection. I can go into the library and ask any one of them and come out with a solution to my problem.
This past week, I attended the Federation of Genealogical Societies annual conference in Arkansas. I am pleased to announce that the Federation, as well as the National Genealogical Society, has put together an online petition of support. As of 9:30 this morning, there are close to 3,900 names registered on the petition. They come not just from Michigan, but from all over the United States. If you would like to sign the petition, please visit our website at www.mimgc.org, which provides a link to the petition.
At the banquet, the speaker said that one state from the free territory and one state from the slave territory were admitted to the Union at any one time. He was talking about Michigan and Arkansas. He stated that Michigan's governor promptly created a university (University of Michigan) and a state library. The Arkansas legislators, on the other hand, just took guns and shot each other.
So, in closing, while the Council does not recommend the chaos in Arkansas, we must remain diligent in keeping this priceless collection together. While we thank the Governor for amending her executive order in recognition of the value of these priceless assets, the Council will remain diligent as we are appalled that this was ever considered. Council will work to keep the collection intact, in the building built by the taxpayers to house this collection, and that qualified staff are responsible for overseeing our state's treasurers.
Michigan's governments of the Civil War and Great Depression eras found a way to save this collection. Surely we can as well. We should do no less. We owe it to future generations.
Thank you.
September 11 – Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter has an article by Shirley Hodges, Help Still Needed for the Library of Michigan.
September 11 – Traverse City Record Eagle opinion Forum: Libraries oppose proposed cuts.
September 11 – Lansing State Journal article Librarians raise voices.
September 10 – Roger's Ramblings blog post MLA Rally at the Capitol includes a description of the Rally, a video clip and a photo album.
September 10 – UpNorthLive.com - Channel 8 & 29 article Governor gives order to preserve library collections.
September 10 – Detroit Free Press article LANSING: Board to handle state's library, historical objects.
On Wednesday, September 9, Governor Granholm issued Executive Order 2009-43 which amends Executive Order 2009-36 abolishing the Departmane of History, Arts, and Libraries.
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