BY VALERIE MEYRESON
The Library of Michigan is more than a building. It is the visionary leader of the library community. It is the visual representation of how libraries have collaborated to become more efficient and cost effective. But these successes are being ignored by the Michigan Senate in their budget and by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm in her Executive Order.
Under the tremendous vision and leadership of the State Library of Michigan, the library community -- universities, community colleges, public, private, K-12, special libraries -- all joined together to do what government only dreams about. They united to achieve statewide group purchasing and resource sharing, saving millions of dollars for libraries across the state benefitting all Michigan residents.
They created the MeLibrary (MeL.org) -- rich online research tools for faculty, small businesses and job seekers; MeL Tests and Tutorials -- filled with online advanced placement, General Equivalency Degree, police, fire and nursing certification tests and more; and MeLCat, a statewide interlibrary loan system.
The Senate-passed budget calls for slashing library funding to $7.5 million even though state law calls for it to be funded at approximately $15.4 million. If this budget is enacted, the entire statewide resource sharing and interlibrary loan system could collapse, eliminating the savings realized through group purchasing.
This system gives every Michigan resident access to expensive resources from their home, office or library at tremendous cost savings to the taxpayers -- $72 million a year. This system enables libraries to share books, CDs, DVDs and more from other communities. This model should be replicated for collaboration, cost savings and efficiencies -- not broken up.
The Michigan Library Association did not oppose the elimination of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. We understand the difficult economic times facing Michigan and know $2 million can be saved through this step. However, we oppose the Executive Order because it goes much further and calls for breaking up the Library of Michigan without any defined cost savings or an alternative plan.
This diminishes the position, influence and stature of the library community and the State Library of Michigan. It does not respect the valuable role libraries play in preserving our history and giving citizens access to vital information critical in a knowledge-based economy.
At a time when libraries are under tremendous public demand as citizens use libraries to hunt for jobs, file for unemployment and access the internet when their services are cut off, library funding and support is being eroded at every level.
We urge the Legislature to protect library funding and retain access to these valuable resources. Michigan residents cannot continue to move forward in a knowledge-based economy if our state moves backward.
About the author: Valerie Meyerson is director of the Charlevoix Public Library and a board member of the Michigan Library Association.
