Fellow
Michigan genealogists,
Genealogy and history in Michigan are under severe threat.?
In
our
present State financial crisis, Governor Granholm is looking at all
state
functions to see what is essential to be funded, now and for the future.? It is expected
that there will soon be
another Executive Order from the Governor making further cuts - and
that
closing the Library of Michigan and disposing of its collection is
among them.
It
is correct that the Governor has already directed in an earlier
Executive
Order that the Department of History, Arts and Libraries shall be
broken up -
the Director of that Department, William Anderson, retired at the end
of
2008.? This Executive Order maintains some of the Department functions,
moving them to other departments, but so far, it has not been executed.
The week of June 8, 2009, there was a Staff Meeting of the Library of
Michigan
staff, at which the State Librarian, Nancy Robertson announced that she
has
applied for the vacant position of Director of the Capital Area
District
Library and that Judith Moore, head of the Library of Michigan
Foundation, has
accepted a position with the University of Michigan fund-raising
function.
New hours for the Library of Michigan public services have been
announced to
begin July 7 - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Saturday.? This
shortens the time the Library will be open for public services but it
will be
easier to follow since the closed mornings confused some patrons.
Lt
Governor John Cherry has been directed by Governor Granholm to set
up a
"Workgroup on Streamlining Government" identifying seven core
functions of state government.? The full description of this workgroup
and
its actions so far are available on the Internet at
michigan.gov; from
there one
goes to the link for state officials on the lower right of the page,
and from
there one selects the link for Lieutenant Governor.? Please make this
website known to all genealogists or anyone who cares about Michigan's
history.
The website says that town hall meetings will be held this summer - it
is quite
possible that a decision might be reached in time to begin the fiscal
year 1
October.? A full print of the website made at 2:00 pm June 16 did NOT
show
the time nor place of the town hall meeting on June 16 - it is on the
website
now at 4:30 pm.? This is NOT a timely notice to those who wish?to
participate - the actual time and place were obtained verbally from
Gov.
Cherry's office on Friday 12 June and communicated to the Flint
Genealogical
Society, which is sending three speakers including a past President of
the
Michigan Genealogical Council.
WHAT
CAN WE AS GENEALOGISTS DO ABOUT THIS?? Someone who works with the
legislature said, "If the Library is going to be saved, the
People/grass
roots will have to do it - and you (genealogists) are the people."
CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR IMMEDIATELY!? Preferably in person!? If not
in person, make phone calls to the Legislator's office and ask to speak
to the
Chief of Staff.? Make it clear that you understand Michigan's terrible
financial
predicament, and understand that severe cuts will be made.? EMPHASIZE
that
the Library of Michigan's collection is irreplaceable, and that moving
it
elsewhere will curtain service, possibly damage some of the rare items,
and be
tremendously expensive.? We know for a fact that someone in the State's
Administration invited the Board members of the Capital District Area
Library
to view the Library of Michigan side of the Michigan Historical Center,
and
asked if there was interest in rental.? CADA is NOT interested in
renting.
EMPHASIZE that you do not oppose downsizing, that you are willing to
see very
minimal days of service each week, but that you strongly OPPOSE moving
the
collection, emptying the building, and destroying this state-wide
resource.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE - WE NEED TO USE OUR VOICES AT ONCE!
Please notify me by phone (517) 321-0945 or email harveyfti(a)webtv.net which legislators
have
been contacted
and what their reactions were.? Please watch for the hearings - we will
let you know as soon as they are announced - it is rather evident that
the
hearings are not being widely publicized, perhaps with the idea of
making
opposition difficult.? Written opinions are accepted at the hearings
and
by the workgroup, c/o Lt. Governor John Cherry, State Capitol, P.O. Box
30026,
Lansing MI 48909, with a copy to your legislator and to Governor
Jennifer
Granholm, State Capitol, P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909
Joanne Harvey, President, MGC
Legislative Chair, MGC
If
you
contact by writing, hard copy is taken more seriously than e-mail.? Do
both, but if there is a choice write on paper or visit in person.?
Emphasize that the Library of Michigan has for well over 180 years of
collected
books written by/published in Michigan, and other materials as well.?
This
collection is priceless and cannot be replaced or repeated today!? The
Library of Michigan also has one of the ten largest American genealogy
collections, drawing researchers from all over Michigan and other
states.
_______________________________________________
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