Library of Michigan
Michigan Genealogical Council
Photo courtesy of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries and Pure Michigan.
The latest information on the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention Board is available on their webpage.
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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