From: Tom Koselka [mailto:tom@mimgc.org]
Sent: 19 July, 2010 4:26 PM
To: patgen(a)casair.net
Subject: MGC: MCIR Board Recommends Genealogy Collections Stay at Michigan
Library and Historical Center
Importance: High
Good afternoon,
Michigan's Governor Granholm has issued the following press release on her
webpage:
http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168--240954--,00.html
Tom Koselka, Corresponding Secretary
Michigan Genealogical Council
MCIR Board Recommends Genealogy Collections Stay at Michigan Library and
Historical Center
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
.
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