Michigan Library Supporters Rally at Capital
Some 500 people call for no cuts in statewide support
-- Library Journal, 09/11/2009
Some 500 Michigan librarians and library supporters, many of them wearing red t-shirts that said Protect Michigan Libraries, rallied yesterday at the capitol in Lansing against proposed state Senate cuts in statewide support for libraries.“We came to the Capitol steps today to ask the Governor and the Legislature to save MeL – the online library that’s accessible anytime, anywhere, and MeLCat, the statewide interlibrary loan system,” said Michigan Library Association president, Larry Neal. “Both of these services are at risk of collapsing if we do not receive $10 million in state aid to libraries – money that secures $5 million in federal funding for these vital programs.”
"Library usage is up all over the country, including here in Michigan," said John Barns, executive VP of library vendor Gale Cengage, which chartered buses for the rally. "Libraries don’t get enough recognition for the role they play in the economic vitality and development of a community."
(Photo courtesy of Gale)
