Note From Dillon

In recent years, libraries in Michigan and across the country have found themselves at the center of conversations around intellectual freedom and information access. For MLA, much of our work since 2021 has been focused around these discussions and engagement with libraries, stakeholders, and Michiganders about constitutionally protected freedoms. Our MI Right to Read coalition was founded to provide support to libraries facing book bans, to equip advocates with the tools they need to fight back, and to educate Michiganders on the importance of the right to read. Our experiences here in Michigan mirror much of what we’ve seen in other parts of the country and point to a sustained attack on the First Amendment and civil rights laws long championed by our libraries, communities, and courts.

MLA 2026 Board Election Results

Thank you to the many MLA members who voted in this year’s Board of Directors election. Your participation helps ensure MLA continues to reflect the needs and priorities of libraries across Michigan.

Members elected a President-Elect and four Members-at-Large, selecting leaders who bring a strong mix of experience, perspective, and commitment to supporting MLA’s work and statewide advocacy.

Advocates Prepare to Bring Library Priorities to Lansing

Libraries make a difference every day, and on Tuesday, April 28, library advocates from across Michigan will be in Lansing to make sure lawmakers hear that message directly. More than 140 library workers and trustees will meet with legislators and staff to share how libraries strengthen education, workforce development, access to information, and community wellbeing—and to advocate for sustained and increased state investment in library services.

IMLS Funding Again Targeted in Proposed Federal Budget

Federal support for libraries continues to center on the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency dedicated to supporting libraries and museums. In April 2026, the White House’s FY 2027 budget proposal again called for eliminating IMLS and other library-related programs, but this follows a familiar pattern: Congress has repeatedly rejected prior attempts to cut or dismantle IMLS, and in the FY 2026 budget process, lawmakers preserved and slightly increased federal library funding.

MLA will continue to monitor the federal budget process and share news, context, and ways advocates can stay engaged in support of federal funding for libraries as the process moves through Congress.

Get Involved! Answer the MLA Call for Ambassadors

The Call for Ambassadors for 2026-2027 workgroups and committees is open! Take advantage of this opportunity to make a difference in the Michigan library community, develop your leadership skills, grow your network, and represent MLA. If you're interested in growing personally or professionally, we have a place for you!

Take Action! Help Secure Federal Funding for Libraries in FY 2027

The federal budget process is underway, and early advocacy is already shaping congressional priorities. One of the first opportunities to demonstrate support comes through “Dear Appropriator” letters—requests from members of Congress to the Appropriations Committees, signed by multiple lawmakers, urging strong federal funding for specific programs. According to the American Library Association (ALA), library champions in the House have exceeded last year’s number of signatures on the letter supporting the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)—an encouraging sign of momentum for libraries.