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SAVE THE LIBRARY--LETTER BLITZ TO GOVERNOR GRANHOLM

HANDS AROUND THE LIBRARY, AUGUST 5, 2009

Letter dated September 14 from Stacy Stoner

Members and Genealogists,
 
There were a lot of librarians/library users at the Sept. 10 Rally at the Capitol in Lansing, and the turnout seemed higher than at the Aug. 5 Rally.  Thanks to Jackson area library supporters Phyllis LaChance, Kris Matthews, Sherri Fink, Cathy Tervol (and any others I didn't see there) for being a part of this. 
 
We heard a college student from Genesee Co., MI, who couldn't have completed his degree (because of time constraints) without MeL and MeLCat; legislator Joan Bauer who will keep watch on rules that affect the Library of Michigan collection; legislator Terry Brown from Tuscola Co., MI, who is a supporter; a mother who needs MeL for home schooling her children; the President of the Michigan Library Association; Cynthia Grostick, President of the Michigan Genealogical Council; and Gretchen Couraud, Executive Director of the Michigan Library Association.  Afterwards, many went into the Capitol building and stood in the balcony, where they were recognized by the Senate that was in session.
 
Many of you may know about the amendment Gov. Granholm signed on September 9 (#2009-43).  This is a good thing, but there are still some concerns, including:

  • there is a 30-day window between when the original EO will still take effect (Oct. 1) and when the amendment #2009-43 will be law, allowing the possibility of disbursal of part(s) of the Library of Michigan collection
  • the governor and legislators still have to balance the budget, and even with the amendment, the Library of Michigan is still on the table
  • there is not language in the amendment stating that the Library of Michigan will be staying in the building it's in
  • there is no language saying there will always be a state library

 
What should we do?  Contact your legislators and the governor between now and Oct. 1, and let them know you want them to protect the Library of Michigan's resources, regardless of our current economic situation.  We also need to remind them the Library of Michigan needs funds to continue operating because of our current economic situation.  Job seekers and students (our future) need to be able to use libraries.  Thank you.
 
Sincerely,
 
Stacy Stoner
JCGS President

 

Monday, September 14

 

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MICHIGAN STATE CAPITOL

 

 

 

 


picture credits.... Rich Cottrell, Vice President JCGS
 
Dated:  September 20
 
Crisis Facing the Library of Michigan
Your Participation in the Fight for the Continued Integrity
of the Library of Michigan is Vital

Sign online petition
Signature collected through October 1

The Records Preservation and Access Committee (a joint committee of the Federation of Genealogical Societies and the National Genealogical Society) has initiated a petition drive in support of the Library of Michigan. Those from within and without Michigan are encouraged to sign the online petition. NOW.

 

 

 

THE LATEST NEWS OF THE CRISIS OF THE LIBRARY OF MICHIGAN, 20 AUGUST 2009

Library of Michigan Crisis Update (20 August 2009)
Column published: 20 August 2009
By: Shirley Gage Hodges   Biography & Archived Articles


This article is an update to previous articles that outline the Governor of Michigan's plan to close Michigan's state library, and the grass-roots effort to reverse the decision before it is too late.

To catch up on the news about this topic see:

Your support is needed to help save the historical collection of the Library of Michigan. If Michigan is able to shut down its state library without public reaction, other state and provincial libraries will be next.

Time is running out for the Library of Michigan so we all need to intensify our efforts. Contact your representatives as often as you are able. If you cannot speak with them, talk with their aides. We need to find individuals who are insightful and brave enough to sponsor and vote to veto Governor Granholm's Executive Order 2009-36.

The only way we can win this thing is if we come at them with a unified front with all the groups involved. Think about all of your friends and their affiliations and contact them and ask them to help us. Some groups to consider: American Historical Association; Children of the American Revolution; Colonial Dames of America; DAR; Friends of Michigan History; MOLLUS Friends; 7th Michigan Friends; SUVCW Friends and The Mayflower Society. Put your thinking caps on and I bet you will come up with some other groups of people you could contact.

Ways to Help Save the Library of Michigan

Mark Sept. 10, 2009 on your calendar. The Michigan Library Association is holding an event at the Capitol on that day. Talk with your friends and see if you can organize some car pools. Details will be available on their website.

They have added a wonderful tool to their web site to help individuals write their legislators via that site. All they have to do is enter their ZIP code, customize their message and send. They have the option of sending e-mail messages or have it produce a letter. Look for the button that says Write Your Legislators Now.

The Michigan Genealogical Council will be hosting a one-day seminar at the Library of Michigan, Saturday, September 19, 2009. There is a downloadable information and registration form available. We need to pack the place so that they can see how many people do come to events sponsored by the library. The deadline is Sept. 14 but it would assist them greatly if you could get your registration in early.

Contact both the Democratic and Republican headquarters for MI and ask them to remind their representatives that we are concerned citizens, we do vote, support their campaigns and have long memories. Web sites to check daily for new information We must remain diligent and do everything we can to make sure that those in power realize that we will hold them responsible for the decisions they make when we enter the voting polls and are asked for campaign contributions.

In closing, Governor Granholm could learn a lot from Pennsylvania's Governor Rendell who's opinion about library funding was recently published in the Boston Business Journal.

Until next time :)

Shirley Hodges hodgessj@hotmail.com
President, Genealogical Speakers Guild

To read back issues of Shirley Hodges' articles, visit her biography & archived Articles

credit to:  http://globalgenealogy.com/globalgazette/gazsh/gazsh-0038.htm

Please check out the following links for more information

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS FROM
WESTERN MICHIGAN GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY.
http://www.wmgs.org/

Write your legislators

For More updates:Michigan Genealogical Council

Pertinent Links:

 

 

 

Article from Western Michigan Genealogical Council:  http://www.wmgs.org/

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