Continuing with ideas for a new model for state-funded, regionally distributed services to public libraries

Dear colleagues:

In these past few months I have received and collected a great deal of input, feedback, preferences, hopes, and concerns about how a new model for state-funded, regionally distributed services to public libraries might be defined and realized. It is time to take the next step in the process. To that end, I have formed an advisory committee which will meet for a one-time, all-day meeting in late September to hammer out a the draft plan we need as a basis for real comment, compromise, and ultimately revised or new legislation.

Prior to the meeting date, I will compile the data, comments, and recommendations I have collected and make it generally available to you and particularly to the committee members so they can review and digest it in advance of our work session.

I am so pleased that each person I asked to commit to this advisory committee and its task has agreed without hesitation and with enthusiasm. Once a date has been established for our meeting and when the compiled advance data and information is posted, I will be sure to let you know and keep you up to date on the process. Of course, true to the purpose of the advisory committee process, I will also share with you the draft plan developed from the ideas, compromises, and vision shared and examined at the all-day advisory committee meeting.

State Librarian's Advisory Committee on State Funded Regionally Distributed Services to Michigan's Public Libraries

Nancy Robertson

Nick Bozen
(HAL Office of Regulatory Affairs and Legislative Liaison)

Gretchen Couraud
(Executive Director, Michigan Library Association)

Suzanne Dees
(Superiorland Library Cooperative, Upper Peninsula Region of Library Cooperation)

Ann Holt
(Capital Library Cooperative)

Betsy Hull
(Community District Library, Class 4, Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative)

Kay LaPierre
(Richland Community Library, Class 2, Southwest Michigan Library Cooperative)

Joan LundBorg
(Hart Area Public Library, Class 3, Mid-Michigan Library League)

Sheryl Mase
(Library of Michigan Director of Statewide Services)

Martha McKee
(Statewide library consultant)

Valerie Meyerson
(Charlevoix Public Library, Class 3, Northland Library Cooperative)

Heidi Nagel
(Ionia Community Library, Class 4, Lakeland Library Cooperative)

Larry Neal
(Clinton-Macomb Public Library, Class 6, Suburban Library Cooperative)

Stephanie Olson
(Iosco-Arenac District Library, Class 5,White Pine Library Cooperative)

Nancy Skowronski
(Detroit Public Library, Class 6, Detroit Library Cooperative)

Jean Tabor
(Canton Public Library, Class 6, The Library Network)

Lance Werner
(Library of Michigan Library Law Specialist)

Trixie Wint
(Homer Public Library, Class 1, Woodlands Library Cooperative)

Bookmania!

I just have to comment on how wonderful it is that the publication of one book can connect people in times that are so often trying and disconnecting. The other day at lunch the person taking our order apologized for writing slowly because, she said, she had been up all night reading. I chuckled and supposed out loud that she had been reading the latest and last Harry Potter book, and she agreed that was indeed the case. My luncheon partner quickly chimed in vehemently that he did not want her to say anything about what happened, as he and his wife are in the midst of reading it together! Seems to me that this must be a social phenomenon similar to what likely happened in Victorian England and America when Charles Dickens' many lengthy novels were published in parts and were widely popular and eagerly anticipated 150 years ago. The more things change, the more they stay the same, and books are still part of the basic fabric of our lives, aren't they?

Discussions around the State and Reminders of Upcoming Events

The discussion about a new vision or model for regionally distributed services for Michigan's libraries continues. At their invitation, I've recently met with the directors member libraries of Superiorland and Hiawathaland Cooperatives at a meeting in Marquette. I've been to Saginaw to meet with the member library directors of White Pine Cooperative. I met Friday with the directors of member libraries from Lakeland in Grand Rapids. And, a little over a week from now, I will meet in Sterling Heights with the directors of member libraries in the Suburban Library Cooperative. The ideas generated in these meetings have been invaluable to me in honing my thoughts on the subject and in gathering all of the facts and needs for services to libraries and to patrons. I will have the opportunity to meet with the Cooperative Directors Association later this month as well, and will receive more input and comment from them at that time.

Late in July I was pleased to be included in the initial brainstorming for strategic planning for the Michigan Association for Media in Education (MAME). At the day long session in Grand Rapids the group had wonderful interaction and generated many productive ideas for a vision for the future of MAME. This week I will be a participant, along many others, in the Michigan Library Association's Directors' Summit, to be held here in Lansing. I am confident that the discussion there will be similarly productive and energizing as MLA looks to the future as well.

Back at the Library of Michigan, in the newly expanded Lake Erie Room on the first floor, preparation for the huge mailing for the 2007 Michigan Reads! program is underway. We're sending out over 5,000 "Big Chickens" books and related programming materials to libraries, elementary schools, Headstarts, and school readiness programs. Look for information to come on the Book Festival of our generous corporate sponsor, Target Corporation, on August 25th at Kensington Park near Brighton and for the month-long Michigan Reads! programming that will take place around the state during the month of September. It should be a lot of fun and a great way to promote reading to children!


Of course, the reason Lake Erie has been expanded and renovated is because the old Lake Ontario Room in our building is now a part of the area that holds the State Law Library Collection, which has been moved from the Williams Building where it had resided for years. We are so excited to have all of the Library of Michigan collections under one roof at long last. The collection remains closed for another week or so while the move gets finished and the staff has a chance to get organized and settled before opening to the public and state government.

Finally, don't forget that the 2007 State Librarian's Excellence Award nominations are due by September 6th. You can find details about the program at the Library of Michigan homepage. It's all about excellent customer service and is open to libraries of all sizes, types, locations, etc. Be sure your library takes the opportunity to be considered for the $5,000 award sponsored by the Library of Michigan Foundation and Hantz Group, or one of the two $1,000 citations of excellence, sponsored by the Foundation and Edward Surovell Realtors. The awards will be announced and celebrated at the State Librarian's Luncheon at the Michigan Library Association Annual Conference in Lansing this fall.

Summertime Visits

The first part of July I headed off for my annual vacation up near Frankfort, Michigan. We enjoyed ourselves as usual, and I was glad to be able to accept Cathy Carter's invitation to visit the Benzie Shores District Library while I was there. One of these pictures shows Cathy in the library, and in the other you can see the library from the other side of Betsie Bay, off to the right a little bit with its reddish roof. Cathy pointed out that the public access computers and the wireless Internet access are highly utilized by their local and visiting patrons. Apparently, the first few boat slips nearest to the library can access the wireless from the water! The place was bustling with activity.

This past week, I had the chance to visit the Bullard Sanford Memorial Library in Vassar. Director Jim Rancilio gave me the grand tour of the library, where he and I are shown here. I also got an inside look at their bookmobile, constructed from a refurbished ambulance. From the bookmobile and also at the library in town, the BSML provides access to library materials and meals for those in need, throughout the summer and during the year. We enjoyed lunch in the spacious new community room, where there is currently a photograph exhibition and where the community enjoys concerts, meetings, and activities such as the New Years Eve overnight for teens. The library is treasured by its community, a community whose pride in its town is evident in the thousands of blooming petunias they have planted all up and down the main street. It's a sight to behold!