News from Nancy, State Librarian of Michigan

2009 National Library Week and You!

2009-04-08T13:41:00.010-04:00

As you probably are aware, April 12-18 is National Library Week for 2009.

The times are tough, but you are tougher! The negative difference the down turned economy makes is countered in significant part by the positive difference you make for your patrons and communities.

Don't be shy -- let's hear what you have done that has made a difference this past year. Use the comments option here to post your successes and your patrons' and community's comments about them for all to see!

Let's celebrate National Library Week with pride and a loud voice!

National Library Week, April 13-19, 2008

2008-04-10T14:29:00.014-04:00

Michigan libraries -- take a bow and bask in the glow of the current publicity celebrating the 50th anniversary of National Library Week! First Lady Laura Bush has noted it in her letter sent out via the Institute of Museum and Library Services last week, and Julie Andrews, honorary chair of this year's celebration, has a lovely article in the most recent issue of "American Libraries."

The theme "Join the Circle of Knowledge" has special meaning for me, as joining hands in a circle was one of the cornerstones of the relationship building exercises used by my late father-in-law (who passed away just this past fall). On various special occasions, he often had the family and others who were gathered make that personal connection with one another by asking them to join hands in a circle and go around and share a thought about the occasion or the person being honored or recognized that day.

I think that if Michigan's library users were to form such a circle and recognize Michigan libraries in our communities, our schools, our academic institutions, and our businesses, hospitals, and other specialized organizations -- those of you making those libraries work for Michigan's residents and connecting them with the circle of knowledge would hear a lot of support and thanks for how you contribute to the successes and the joy they experience in their lives.

So, when your public patron, or your middle school student, or your academic or corporate researcher thanks you during National Library Week next week, be sure to remember that they are but one individual speaking for that huge circle of library users in Michigan that appreciate all you do every week of the year!

Thank You for Your Comments

2008-04-07T16:38:00.003-04:00

Dear Michigan Library Community,

I want to thank the scores of you who have sent emails, letters, talked to me personally, and commented publicly on my blog regarding the draft revised model for state aid to public libraries I proposed at the end of December. It is incumbent upon the Library of Michigan to be proactive about the status and future of the appropriated state funds that fall under our stewardship, no matter how small a percentage of the larger funding contributions to public library service it represents.

In response to some of the correspondence and comment received, I would like to reiterate very clearly at this point that our intent has never been:

to replace LSTA federal funding of the Michigan eLibrary with any portion of state aid to public libraries.
to dismantle successful library cooperatives.
to diminish the importance of collaboration and cooperation among Michigan libraries.
to deny the importance of libraries to small or rural communities.
to garner any portion of state aid to public libraries to augment the operations appropriation for staffing and programming of the Library of Michigan.

Additionally, it must be noted that the model was meant for use as a tool to facilitate discussion and input from the library community and was not intended to be a binding representation of future legislative changes to the State Aid to Public Libraries Act. In this vein, we wish to inform the library community that no efforts have been undertaken to implement the recommendations of the model or to pass legislation. Many have asked that we take time to study the situation and think through the options. The draft proposal and solicitation of comment have purposely been part of an effort to do just that. We have been intent on gathering input from the Michigan library community, input that will be valuable information in any determination of next steps or final proposals that may eventually evolve.

Fortunately, the Library of Michigan now has numerous comments and ideas to digest and ponder. It will undoubtedly take some time to accomplish this endeavor. The FY09 budget process is moving right along, and the appropriation for state aid to public libraries looks to be relatively solid for that time frame. However, the process for managing change proactively is not over. So while we take time to plan and engage in an even handed and thoughtful process, we are still committed to facilitating change that will strengthen the outlook for state aid funding for public libraries by the time the FY10 budget process gets under way. We are at the beginning of this process, and there is ample time for thoughtful and insightful discourse on this subject. We look forward to engaging in it with you all to arrive at a sustainable model for disbursement of state aid to public libraries geared toward equity, accountability, efficiency and measurable outcomes for public library service to Michigan’s residents.

Nancy

State Aid Model FAQ

2008-03-04T11:42:00.001-05:00

Dear Colleagues,

I have received quite a few comments on the proposed model for state funding to public libraries. The comment period will run through the end of March, so please continue to comment (whether positive or negative) with specific suggestions for what, if anything, you would change and how.

Since I have had limited opportunities to get out and converse with members of the library community and clarify some things about the model since it was posted for comment, I have decided to put out a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document in order to make some clarifications of the model and its intentions. This clarification FAQ can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17445_19270-186673--,00.html.

Thank you for your involvement in this process.

-Nancy

~~~~~~~~~~
Nancy R. Robertson
State Librarian
Library of Michigan

A Proposal for Comment

2007-12-28T13:00:00.001-05:00

The State Librarian's Advisory Committee has engaged in a thoughtful and productive discussion to develop ideas about how State Aid to Public Libraries funds can be distributed and utilized to ensure enhanced library service to Michigan's residents in the most efficient, most cost-effective, and most equitable manner.

While the results of their work have been taken into consideration and truly inform the model proposed here, please keep in mind that this model finalized for public comment comes directly from me and the Library of Michigan. Also, remember that this is not the final model for legislation, but rather a vehicle for substantive public comment, both positive and negative, upon which to build the legislation that will eventually ensue.

I look forward to seeing and hearing your comments so that we can then move ahead with a new and successful initiative that will result in stronger and more sustainable state aid funding for Michigan's public libraries.

Go to these links to see the proposed model and related explanatory and supporting documents:

State Support of Public Libraries Proposed Model (December 2007)

Brief Explanation of the Proposed Model for State Support of Public Libraries

State Support of Public Libraries: Current Proposal and Invitation to Comment (December 2007) -- Narrative of Advisory Committee Meetings and Process

State Support of Public Libraries: Current Proposal and Invitation to Comment (December 2007) -- Executive Summary

Notes from October 29, 2007 Advisory Committee Meeting

Notes from September 24, 2007 Advisory Committee Meeting

Introductory "Why We Are Here" (From 9/24/07 meeting)

Conversation Recap (Slides Recounting Issues and Ideas Identified Prior to the 9/24/07 meeting)

Holiday Greetings!

2007-12-20T17:46:00.000-05:00

Sydney's First Winter Holiday

Wishing the Entire Michigan Library Community a Happy Holiday Season and Best Wishes for a Great Year in 2008!

Reconnecting with State Librarians and School Librarians

2007-11-26T17:48:00.000-05:00

With all that's been going on, I haven't taken the time to post about my activities, so here's a bit of an update on my fall travels and meetings.

In mid-October, I traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, for the annual meeting of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA). I got to spend a good deal of time with Christie Brandau who is enjoying her tenure as the state librarian of Kansas and spending more time than ever with her growing family. It was great to see her! Part of the focus of the fall annual meeting is always a day of continuing education, and this fall meeting was no different. We heard lively presentations Aaron Smith who focuses on creating user centered libraries; Brewster Kahle who talks about how it's actually possible that all printed content could be digitized and be made accessible online eventually; and J.L. Needham who talked about the necessity of making our resources accessible through the major search engines, because of course, that's where everyone goes to find whatever they seek. Listening to them all was exciting, challenging, and in some ways overwhelming, but they all had upbeat outlooks about the potential for achieving the ends they propose.

In mid- to late October, we had a productive meeting with several Michigan Dept. of Education people, including their federal legislation liaison, staff from their state certification section, and a couple of folks from their office of educational technology. We reviewed the proposed SKILLs legislation that would require, where feasible, the presence of a state certified school librarian in every school. At the COSLA meeting in Omaha, ALA's D.C. office director, Emily Sheketoff noted that, even if the SKILLs legislation does not go through at this point in time, just getting the right language on file is important as a building block for the time when the re-authorization process for NCLB does get underway later. Besides having the discussion between our two Michigan executive departments on how we align on this important topic, we are also building a renewed relationship between the Dept. of Education and the Library of Michigan and HAL, which will serve us well in future joint endeavors as well.

I was glad to have a chance to stop in at the last session of the MAME annual conference in Traverse City where I got to hear Marcia Mardis inspire her audience with an eloquent exhortation to build your programming and projects around what you love to do. Engaging in things by building them around what we are passionate about makes us all more effective than we ever can be by just following the rules and guidelines to perfection. Even though I was there for just an hour or two, the trip was well worth it for me. And, it sounded from all I spoke with there and afterward that the conference was quite a success this year. Congratulations to all concerned.

Just last week, we finally were able to convene once again our group of representatives from varied corners of school librarianship in Michigan involved in working to move school media centers ahead in our state. The marketing media piece that has been under production for so long is now nearing completion,and the updated version of the national guidelines from AASL are on the way in the coming months. Our group got itself re-energized and will be meeting again in March to plan for making presentations on the marketing piece and how endorsement and implementation of the new guidelines will benefit school libraries and students in Michigan to a group of representatives from various educational associations hopefully this coming April.

A Bit of History Comes Alive in Michigan

2007-11-20T16:25:00.000-05:00

I was driving along the other day switching from the Impact's alternative rock station to WKAR and Morning Edition, when, while on the news station for a moment, I heard a voice I recognized. I stayed tuned and heard one of the several fascinating StoryCorps "Door-to-Door" interviews done by our own Library of Michigan volunteer and regular patron, Geneva Wiskemann. I encourage you to take the time to listen to some or all of Geneva's conversations with these Michigan women who relate their WWII experiences and recollections.

2007 State Librarian's Excellence Award Winners!

2007-11-20T11:20:00.000-05:00

A week and a half ago, I participated in the 2007 Michigan Library Association's annual conference here in Lansing. Current MLA President, Josie Parker, and Executive Director, Gretchen Couraud, provided exceptional leadership for the conference this year and for the extremely difficult job of developing a proposal for significant restructuring for the association membership to vote on early in the new calendar year. Congratulations to both of them and to the MLA membership who will, I hope, review and endorse the proposal.

The highlight of the MLA annual conference for me is always the State Librarian's Excellence Award Luncheon, and this year was no exception. Sponsored and administered by the Library of Michigan Foundation and underwritten by corporate sponsorships from the Hantz Group and Edward Surovell Realtors, this annual award is sought by libraries from all over the state each year. It's all about excellent customer service, which is so appropriate in these times during which we seek funding and other support for our libraries by making the case that the services we provide for our patrons make a real difference in their lives and so make a real difference for Michigan! You can read more about this year's awards and the accomplishments of the winning libraries in the official press release, but I want to make sure to congratulate them here. You can see that they were all quite pleased with themselves, and deservedly so! Left to right they are: Pam Christensen, director of Marquette's Peter White Public Library, winner of one of the Citations of Excellence; Kate Van Auken, director of Cass City's Rawson Memorial Library, the State Librarian's Excellence Award winner this year; and Ken Miller, director of Sault Ste. Marie's Bayliss Public Library, winner of the other Citation of Excellence. It was so much fun, as always, to present the award and citations. Congratulations to them all!

State Librarian’s Advisory Committee Meetings Interim Update

2007-11-19T16:20:00.001-05:00

I know many of you are anxiously awaiting word about what suggested outcomes have resulted from the second of the two meetings of my advisory committee. We did have a very productive meeting on Monday, October 29th, but we are not quite ready to post our findings yet. A small subgroup is working on consolidating the ideas generated by our last table talks of the day; we need to circulate and review or revise the draft notes from the meeting; and we are working on a cover document that will kind of walk you all through the process and help you understand what our notes summarize and how things evolved in the discussion.

With the MLA annual conference taking up most of the week before last and Thanksgiving holidays next week, we need some extra time for communication back and forth amongst ourselves before we finalize a posting. I am also working with Library of Michigan staff to arrange for posting the documentation of both our first and our second meetings on the LM website, and we’ll be arranging for comment on all of it via this blog once everything is reviewed by the committee and we get it all posted. So, please understand that we are committed to getting it all out there for you to see and comment upon, but we need to take the time to do it right. Thanks in advance for your patience on this score.

In the meantime, as you can see by these photos of our October 29th meeting, the participants were extremely engaged in the process and worked long hours that day, as they did at the first meeting on September 24th. Please thank them when you see them, as they have represented you well and deserve your appreciation for their time and commitment.

Sharing Documentation from Advisory Committee Meeting 9/24/07

2007-10-01T18:45:00.001-04:00

As most of you know, on Monday, September 24th, I met with the advisory committee I recently put together to review and discuss issues and options related to re-envisioning the way that state aid to public libraries funds are utilized to provide regionally distributed library services in Michigan. I had hope that one all-day meeting might allow for the drafting of a plan that would serve as a basis for public comment and more honing of ideas. We had a very productive meeting but were, not surprisingly, unable to complete the task in one sitting. So we will be meeting once more to finish the job, probably in late October. More later on that.

In the meantime, many thanks are due to the committee, whose members you can find listed on my August 22nd blog post. Between now and the next meeting, we will be posting documentation from the first meeting at the Superiorland webpages, once again thanks to Suzanne Dees’ help. These are found at:
http://www.uproc.lib.mi.us/slc/finance/serviceplan.html

The facilitators are still working on compiling the notes from the day’s discussions, so those are not yet posted. However, the agenda for the day and my slideshow summary of the points of conversation from all viewpoints these past months (which we reviewed during the beginning of the meeting) are already up on the site. The other notes from the day will be up there soon, so check again later this week or early next week.

Please keep in mind that these documents and the notes from the day are merely snapshots of the middle of an incomplete conversation. We have more brainstorming to do, and I don’t want people to think that what we’ve arrived at so far is written in stone or a complete picture of the ideas that will eventually be laid out on the table. Nevertheless, for the sake of transparency, and since I know many of you are likely wondering how the meeting went and what has come from it, we thought it best to post things between meetings.

Once the second meeting has been accomplished, we should be able to put together a draft plan or proposal for people to comment on in some interactive fashion (yet to be determined). Thanks for your patience in this process.

IMLS Representative Visits Michigan Libraries and Michigan Reads! with Target

2007-09-07T14:45:00.000-04:00

During the third week of August, the Library of Michigan's liaison from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laurie Brooks paid us a site visit to see how we've been utilizing our Library Services and Technology Act annual allotments to provide improved services to libraries in Michigan statewide. Of course we highlighted the Michigan eLibrary, but Karren Reish, our LSTA and grants coordinator, arranged some visits to libraries as well. We got positive responses from Laurie on our activities, and she was truly impressed with all that Michigan libraries, like the Chippewa River District Library System, are doing for Michigan's residents.

Here Karren and I are pictured with CRDLS director Lise Mitchell (second from right) and Laurie Brooks (second from left).

While visiting CRDL in Mount Pleasant, we took a side trip up to Clare to visit the Pere Marquette District Library. Director Sheila Bissonnette was busy off site that day, but we had a lovely tour from public services librarian Pam McKnight of their beautiful new building. Pam is shown here with one of the spectacular leaded glass windows they moved from their old building into the foyer of their new one.

On August 25th, Sheryl Mase, Elisia Johnson, Joyce Ruttan and I trekked to the Kensington Metropark for the annual Target Children's Book Festival. The weather was not perfect, but the event and the turnout were great! Target, through the Library of Michigan Foundation, is the corporate sponsor for this year's Michigan Reads! one-state/one-children's-book program. We were thrilled to have a booth at the festival and that Target brought in the author and illustrator of this year's book "Big Chickens" to present at the festival stage. Michigan author Leslie Helakoski and Florida illustrator Henry Cole had not met prior to the event, but like the great match between their text and illustrations, Leslie and Henry hit it off like they had known one another for years.

Above, see the photo of Ann Arbor area founder and director of Music for Little Folks, a music school for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and the grown-ups who love them -- Gari Stein, holding a copy of our Michigan Reads!/Big Chickens activity and programming guide. We were so lucky to be able to use some of Target's supporting funds to hire Gari to create the content for our guide. And we thank her for participating in the kick-off event.

Here is a shot of the Library of Michigan's Michigan Reads! booth, which, as you can see, experienced a lot of traffic all day long and generated expanded public awareness of the programming that will take place all during the month of September in Michigan's public libraries, K-2 school classrooms, and Head Start and School Readiness Programs. If you haven't already got one, find yourself a copy of "Big Chickens" at your local library and remind yourself what fun it is to read aloud to your children!

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

2007-08-22T08:54:00.001-04:00

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!

2007-08-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

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

2007-08-07T15:40:00.002-04:00

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

2007-08-06T08:52:00.000-04:00

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!

Keep the Ideas Coming, Please!

2007-06-24T16:00:00.002-04:00

I continue to receive more blog comments in response to my post on a new vision for regional services to Michigan's libraries, so be sure to check on the comments there periodically to see what your colleagues have to say on the subject. Additionally, I am continually receiving emails, letters, phone calls, and taking in conversational comments in person. I am trying to respond to each missive received, but at this point in the process, I'm essentially in listening mode -- not defending my ideas as posted and not expressing my agreement or disagreement with the input and ideas I'm receiving. If you have not heard back from me with regard to a response you've provided, please know that I am logging your comments and appreciate your input. There is no such thing as too many ideas on such an important topic.

In addition to individual comments from directors, staff, trustees, and patrons, various interest groups of people are providing their combined input. The library cooperative directors are completing their recommendations. I've received a letter from a significant number of directors of large southeast Michigan public libraries. Members of a specific library cooperative have provided a letter summarizing their recent discussion and consensus of opinion. And, I had the opportunity to visit the Oakland County Public Libraries Trustees Association last week, where I could share some more of my thoughts, but more importantly, was able to hear their ideas first hand. On July 26th, after my annual vacation in the first half of July, I will be heading up to Marquette to meet with Upper Peninsula library directors and staff. (They will also be hosting Michigan Library Association Executive Director Gretchen Couraud later this week on June 29th.)

So, the conversation is definitely in full swing. The ideas are flowing. And, now that the FY07 budget resolution is behind us, hopefully the FY08 budget situation will be known in the near future. If you have not had the chance to let me know your ideas, concerns, hopes and needs for future regional and statewide support for library services, please consider sending me (and Gretchen, your cooperative director, and any others) your comments, so that a maximum of ideas can be on the table for consideration by all interested parties by the end of the summer.

Enjoy your July 4th celebrations!

What Keeps Me Going Outside of Work!

2007-06-24T14:00:00.000-04:00

Work as the state librarian is so rewarding and keeps me very busy, but, fortunately, I'm still able to carve out time to spend with my family! Family from Indiana, Georgia, and Ohio joined us in Michigan for the June 29th graduation of our younger son, Nick, from the graduate program of the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. Congratulations, Nick, on your accomplishment, and congratulations to all of the 2007 graduates of the state of Michigan's educational programs!

My various travels around Michigan to make connections with library staff and supporters are are an important part of the outreach component of my work and that of other Library of Michigan staff. Fortunately, my childhood hometown Dayton, Ohio, still the hometown of my parents, John and Penny Haddick, is close enough for me to get there on June 12th for a special event there. At Aullwoood Audubon Center and Farm, the Center and Five Rivers MetroParks awarded the first Marie S. Aull Environmental Leadership Award. Five awards comprised this first event recognizing individuals who worked closely with the late Mrs. Aull to make positive education and environmental changes, particularly in the greater Dayton and Miami Valley area. I was so proud to see my parents (shown above) honored with one of the five awards. They and their friends and colleagues who received the other four awards are truly deserving of such recognition and leadership. Congratulations to all of them!

Finally, in an on-going way -- Jim and I keep occupied by our Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (toller, for short). Sydney is eight months old at the end of June, and while he is looking rather mature and well-trained above, the three of us are still a work in progress as far as settling into a calm and normal home life. But, we are getting there, and I think that Syd loves and enjoys the two as us as much as we do him. We'll all be off to a two week vacation in the lower north woods soon, for a much-needed getaway.

Dedicating "The People's Library" at Alma!

2007-06-24T13:30:00.000-04:00

On June 1st Alma Public Library dedicated their renovated and greatly expanded facility. I was honored to be part of the program which featured the board president and dedicated supporter, Ruth Lyon, and director, Bryan Dinwoody, who has aptly called for the library to be known as "The People's Library." The two of them are shown above with me just before the ceremony began.

Built right on the river at the east end of town, the building and the services the library provides are treasured by the community that made the expansion project a reality with their support. It's no surprise that hundreds of residents took a whole morning to attend the event. The centerpiece of the interior is the fabulous fireplace and chimney. Above, with Bryan looking on, Ruth and Mayor Melvin Nyman cut the ribbon as a finale to the program. Deputy director and children's services manager, Tina Leonard, also spoke at the celebration, highlighting how much traffic the new library and its expanded services are experiencing. Refreshments following the program were served by the friends group in the spacious new community center. It was a lovely event, and a reminder that, even in the face of budgetary unknowns, support for library service in Michigan marches on. Congratulations to Bryan and his staff and the Alma community!

Challenging Times

2007-05-25T12:00:00.000-04:00

I know everyone is scrambling to deal with the current budget situation and talking about what the future might hold. I've received many well-thought-out comments and emails, letters and phone calls in response to my last blog post on new models for cooperatives, and I am glad that people are engaged in these discussions. Of course, it will take some time and the involvement of the Legislature and the Budget Office for future plans to get sorted out. In the meantime we are all working toward getting the hoped-for release of the FY07 state aid funds that were appropriated for this year. We've been working through internal channels here to spread the word about how libraries and their patrons are being immediately affected by the situation, and like you, we await the resolution of the current fiscal year crisis, after which we are more likely to find out more about the potential release of those funds.

While visiting my parents at their northern lower Michigan cottage a couple of weeks ago, we got away from it all with a walk through the woods. This image of the trillium in full bloom reminds me of one of the reasons Just like all of you, I am committed to this state, in good times and bad. While we are embroiled in the difficult challenges that face Michigan's libraries and cooperatives right now, hopefully a look around us at our two beautiful peninsulas, will energize you with the strength to meet those challenges. Hope you all enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

My Take on New Models

2007-05-15T15:45:00.001-04:00

Why are we talking about this?

Later this year, the state begins the process for determining the fiscal year 2008/2009 budget. As we are all painfully aware, the budgets for the current fiscal year 2006/2007 and the upcoming fiscal year 2007/2008 are not yet completed. I was also a participant and observer of the process for the fiscal year 2004/2005 budget. Each time the process takes place, the Budget Office and the members of the Legislature have many questions about the uses of the appropriation for state aid to public libraries. This is understandable, of course, and the portion of the appropriation that gets paid directly to Michigan’s public libraries on a per capita basis is easily explained and justified. Addressing the questions about how the portions of the appropriation that are there to support library cooperatives is more problematic, and instead of becoming easier each year, the explanation becomes more difficult to articulate effectively as time passes.

The difficulty is due in part to the complexity and cumbersome nature of the distribution formula. But a large part of the challenge is the fact that the services that the thirteen library cooperatives provide to their member libraries and the way that they utilize (or do not utilize) some or all of the so-called swing aid funds vary from cooperative to cooperative. In addition to the disparity of services provided and uneven utilization of cooperative and swing aid funds, the decades-old model for how cooperatives are formed and established has evolved over time into an unwieldy, inequitable, geographically undefined system that does not inevitably result in enhanced public library service in the same degree for every resident of Michigan, even though state funds are appropriated and distributed for the purpose. Without any defined regional boundaries or identifiable and ensured core services, an unintended culture of haves and have-nots has arisen.

Just about a year ago, as I traveled around to speak with library directors at various cooperative member meetings, people began asking me to share my thoughts on what the future of library cooperatives might look like. My response was disturbing to some, but from my point of view, it was the only realistic and honest way to approach the question. I acknowledged that the system’s design is old and has been of falling out of date. In the past few decades, libraries have changed with the times and adjusted to the changing needs of their patrons and communities in so many significant ways, so it is inevitable that library cooperatives and the way they are established and function need to change as well.

The Library of Michigan is also part of the changing library scene. The Library of Michigan did not create the Michigan eLibrary catalog and resource sharing system (MeLCat), or require participation in statewide delivery as a pre-requisite to participation, in order to usurp two of the established roles that library cooperatives had played to date. We did it because it was time to do it and because it was the role of a state library to support the expansion of statewide services into the 21st century. Regardless of the intent, however, clearly library directors and staff began to see that those two services (resource sharing and delivery) are moving away from being defined by region or library cooperative, and they began to ask about the future.

I emphasized that change in the system is inevitable, as evidenced by the fact that change was already under way. I urged people to engage in developing and designing a new model, to be proactive about the change that is unavoidable by having a hand in shaping it. Library cooperatives or regionally distributed service to public libraries can still play a significant role in the success of our public and other types of libraries, but only if new aspects of that role are discovered and defined. My hope was to ignite successful thinking and action to design a new model for regional services to libraries before the old model gradually but inevitably falls out of relevance and utility. Unfortunately, the fiscal crisis in the state has arrived before we were able to have something new and solid in place. But, that does not mean that we should abandon our efforts to define and create a new model that incorporates sustainable components for the statewide and regional enhancement of public library service for all of Michigan’s residents in a fashion that will convince the state Budget Office and the state Legislature to appropriate state funds to support it.

What are my ideas about how to design the new model?

First, I believe that there should be fewer regional centers. I do not know exactly how many or what the boundaries should be at this point, but about six seems like the right number to me. Part of the issue for budget and legislative queries relates to the fact that thirteen administrative bodies are a lot to fund. The large number of cooperatives results in a disproportionate amount of state funds being expended on administration, such as staffing, overhead, etc., rather than having the bulk of whatever funding is appropriated going to sustain or enhance the services that Michigan’s residents receive at their public libraries. Consolidation is in order, and consolidation is an activity that will more likely be met with a positive response from government than the perpetuation of so many disparate administrative units would be.

Second, I would like to see defined contiguous geographic boundaries for the six or so regional entities. This would mean that when libraries establish themselves, when districts form, when libraries dissolve, the state funding that is provided for a particular region would remain constant according to the population served within a prescribed boundary. Libraries would not have to shop around for admission to the library cooperative that is willing to take them on; regional entities would not be vying for the participation of the more successful, better supported libraries. I am not sure how the funding formula should be defined to ensure that each defined region gets enough of the state aid to public libraries dollars to be able to provide similar, equitable quality core services. There would need to be some kind of accommodation for distance or density. Ideally, the regionally distributed services would be evenly and adequately funded by the state aid dollars and successfully provided no matter which region a resident lives in or where a library is located.

Third, some core services should be identified so that the public libraries and their residents in any region know what to expect from the state funds that serve them regionally or statewide, and so that budget officials and legislators can know what will be left unaccomplished or un-provided if they do not provide or sustain funding for it! I do not think that the core services should be itemized in legislation, but rather they should be generally mandated in the legislation and a mechanism should be included for defining them and reviewing their relevance and utility on a regular periodic basis.

My thought would be that some of them might be of statewide expanse – for example, aside from the portion of state aid funds that are distributed directly to libraries to support their operation, a portion of the state aid to public libraries might be used to cover the annual cost of statewide delivery for all public libraries in the state. Since participation in statewide delivery is required in order to participate in the statewide resource sharing system, MeLCat, it seems logical for the state to cover directly the costs of participation in the delivery service. Another possibility for coverage of a statewide expense could be a provision for libraries to utilize some of these identified funds in ways that make it financially and/or otherwise possible for them to participate in MeLCat, beyond the delivery costs. (These dollars might be used as the library sees fit, as long as the result is an enhanced ability to participate in the statewide resource sharing system. One library might use these funds to pay a portion of their costs for participating in a shared integrated library system through which they are able to participate in MeLCat. Another might use the funds to pay the costs of the additional staff they need due to increased circulation of materials being borrowed or lent through their participation in MeLCat.)

[NOTE: I would not expect that a shared ILS be specifically identified as a core regional service for the use of state aid funds for several reasons. First, not every regional center has or operates a shared system. Second, the concept of a shared system need not be regionally defined. It could be defined by library type, size, or common need, beyond regional location. But offering some opportunity to fund engagement in a shared system, no matter how it is formed, as a way to participate in a statewide service like MeLCat, as I described in the paragraph above, might be workable.]

A second tier of core services would logically be more regionally focused, because they would require proximity for provision of service. An example of this type of regional core service might be that each regional center provides technology trouble-shooting, training, and support. Another might be that each regional center serves as a central storage facility and coordinates and maintains a comprehensive shared set of disaster recovery supplies and/or contracts in the event of a collections disaster in any one or more libraries falling within that region’s boundaries. Another might be provision of regionally located continuing education opportunities, much as cooperatives engage in currently.

How could accountability for quality and quantity of services be ensured in such a model?

Accountability is an issue in the current system, partially because of the variability and disparate nature of the services provided with the state dollars used to fund the cooperatives.

If there are defined boundaries and defined services to be accomplished with the designated state dollars, a logical option would be to have the managers of the regional centers be employees of the Library of Michigan. In addition to the obvious opportunity to monitor even-handed application of funds and provision of services, this model would afford constant communication between the regions and the state library. Additionally, this model is likely to be looked upon favorably by those holding the purse strings of state dollars, since a state agency would be managing the funds and coordinating their expenditure on defined services.

Given the complexity and uneven expenditure of the swing aid provided in the current funding and regional establishment model, my preference would be to eliminate the concept of swing aid altogether. Beyond the portion of state aid that goes directly to libraries, a second defined portion of the state aid to public libraries appropriation could be dedicated to two branches of funds that would go directly to statewide and regional support services, respectively.

[NOTE: Even if regional centers result in defined core services and boundaries, this would not preclude local decision or obstruct the opportunity to engage in other un-imposed partnerships either within or outside of the regional boundaries. Collaboration of any kind is always to be encouraged and freely engaged in – it is just the state funded services that would fall under these defined boundaries and be earmarked specifically for these core services, since these alone would be what the regional centers would need to be held accountable for, given that they would be funded by state dollars.]

What should we expect to happen now?

First, the current fiscal crisis looms obviously and ominously. The sustainability of cooperatives as they are now established is unfortunately in question if state aid to public libraries is not forthcoming. I certainly hope that the current payments will be released soon and that state aid to public libraries is sufficient for the upcoming fiscal year staring on October 1st.

But in any case, several cooperatives are currently without directors and some are either dissolving or reducing their operations to minimal levels. The time is ripe for action and for consolidation. The current budget situation demands that we show we are working towards more efficiency, more accountability, and more clearly identifiable uses of limited state funds.

The thoughts I have outlined at length above are my considered opinion at this point. I have been asking and continue to ask for input, not just from the cooperative directors, but from you as well. The more ideas we have to work with, the better! The Michigan Library Association will, I am sure, be involved in any discussion related to revision or creation of legislation, as will the state Budget Office, the Legislature, and the administrative, gubernatorial and legislative liaisons here at the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.

Just because I, or anyone else, may have some ideas about how to design a new model for state funded regionally provided public library services, does not mean that model will automatically become reality. It has to be built in a way that the funding sources are willing to embrace the concept; it will have to have a timeline for public comment; it will undergo countless revisions and involve compromise and collaboration. Any legislation would have to have timelines for compliance, i.e., a transition period, and would need to account for grace periods or have workable deadlines for changes in administrative or budgetary structure. This is not something that can or will happen overnight.

I take it as my responsibility as your state librarian to be thinking ahead, to be formulating and generating ideas about the future, and to be concerned about and active in trying to move us forward in a fashion that will be sustainable over the long haul, be deemed acceptable for funding by state sources, and that will be good for Michigan’s public libraries well into the future. Of course, having laid this out, I encourage constructive discussion from all segments of the library community so that we can develop a plan to go forward together as a community to the public and the Legislature.

Two Library of Michigan Retirements

2007-05-14T15:55:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday, April 25th, my administrative assistant, Jenny Sipe, celebrated her retirement after decades of work at the Library of Michigan. We celebrated with her, but I know I and many others will miss having her around, for her personality but also for all she did for us. Best of luck and enjoy your retirement, Jenny!

And on Monday, April 30th, we joined Rich Lucas and his family and long-time friends to honor him in his retirement, also after many decades with the library. Rich talked about the various duties and experiences he had over the years. The director of the Law Library, Sue Adamczak, and Rich's colleague and friend Dick Hathaway thanked Rich for his many contributions. Some of his old friends added a few anecdotes as well. It was a nice send off for Rich -- we knew he'd be leaving us sometime, but the encyclopedia of state government knowledge he takes with him will be sorely missed. Enjoy your retirement, Rich!

Upper Peninsula Town Meetings

2007-04-21T10:03:00.000-04:00

Our final foray in the town meetings saga took Karren, Deb and me to the Upper Peninsula. Our first stop was the Portage Lake District Library in Houghton. It was a beautiful drive up on Monday, April 16th.

On Tuesday morning, bright and early, we arrived at the library where Jim Curtis gave us the grand tour. It's a spectacular view from anywhere on the north or west side of the building, as the library is situated right on the waterway -- and I mean right on it!
The meeting was very well attended, and we were so glad that we made the trek up there to be able to meet with so many folks who can, understandably, not get down to the Lansing area very often . Or, if they do make it down, it's with much more time, effort, and expense than most, given the huge distance between here and there.

The lunch Jim and his staff arranged included local U.P. fare, notably delicious pasties, and we finished it off with tastes of several kinds of fudge. Yum!

On the drive later that afternoon, Karren and I were glad to stop at the edge of Norway, to get a picture of Deb with the sign and the boat. She thinks she's Norwegian, and she looks the part here. We will certainly miss having her around, both because of her dedication and good Continuing Education and other library work, and also because of her lovable nature and fun sense of humor.

We arrived at Escanaba, not quite in the moonlight, but almost. On Wednesday morning we found our way to the Bay de Noc Community College grounds. Director Christian Holmes was unable to join us, but his staff took great care of us and the other participants. The meeting room was not in the library per se, but I got a peak at the library during the lunch break, and I loved the way it is totally surrounded buy a circumference of windows. The library and the college itself were bustling with student activity. Lunch was, as usual, a treat.
The group discussion included quite a bit of sharing related to the issues faced by the school/public libraries and about the funding and umbrella bureaucracy challenges faced by the public libraries as well. The participants had traveled from various directions, from Menominee and Munising, and from nearby locales of course.

We traveled our way over to St. Ignace along Route 2 and enjoyed the view as we drove. The trip was shorter than some of the other afternoon ventures we'd had, so it was nice to take a bit of a walking tour and do a bit of window shopping at the bookstore and a couple of antique places in St. Ignace before taking time at the end of the day for a good dinner. The ferries were all lined up and ready for action for the impending tourist season.

I've been to the St. Ignace Public Library a few times, but I still love to see how it's nestled on a tree covered hill on the curve of the road just above town. Director Cindy Patten was, as always, a great host, and we finished off our tour with our last fabulous lunch, before the post-town-meeting-tour diet! The discussion of this, the last of the 13 meetings, yielded great discussion and a couple of really innovative ideas for how to get MeL more visibility and how to enable local libraries to mirror the look of MeL and tie their resources into the offerings found there.

Thirteen meetings were a lot to accomplish -- a lot of planning, traveling, and interaction. But I'm truly glad that I was able to do it and to get to talk to over 400 librarians from all over the state of Michigan, from all types of libraries, and with all sorts of concerns, successes, and new ideas to share. Thanks, everyone!

Such a Notable Night!

2007-04-15T15:03:00.000-04:00

The evening of April 14th was truly enjoyable for all who attended the Night for Notables, celebrating the 2007 Michigan Notable Books authors.
The evening began at the Governor's residence where Governor Granholm and the First Gentleman are establishing a residence library to be used and enjoyed by their family and guests and by the family and guests of future Michigan governors. It's a great idea, and we were so pleased to have a part in celebrating its inception and to inaugurate it by facilitating the addition of Michigan Notable Books to the residence's library shelves. Many thanks to Governor Granholm and Mr. Mulhern for inviting us into their home to celebrate the program and the authors with us!

After the reception, those in attendance there moved to the Michigan Library and Historical Center for the evening's keynote event. The Rotunda and the Forum were packed with a standing-room only crowd that got to meet the authors and get books signed while snacking on wine and desserts.

Then we were all treated to a fascinating panel discussion featuring moderator Bill Rustem, biographer Dave Dempsey, and former Governor William Milliken. Governor Milliken's open, honest, and colorful telling of
some stories from his administration and his frank answers to the many interesting questions the audience had for him was truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

The authors deserved the recognition the evening provided and a wonderful time was had by all. Thanks to all of the sponsors for the evening, especially our hosts, the Library of Michigan Foundation.

Early April Sydney Sighting!

2007-04-13T15:52:00.000-04:00

Everyone asks me, wherever I travel, how puppy Sydney is doing. As you can see from this early April photo, he's doing great and is as lovable as ever!