Granny Pam's Genealogical Trials and Triumphs
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Library of Michigan, Department of History, Arts and Libraries

August 24th, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in What's going On - (0 Comments)

I received a copy of this message, originally sent by the Michigan Genealogical Council. I am quoting it without comment, you all know my opinion. Please contact the senators listed below, and your own Senators today:

Senator Cameron Brown has introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, which if passed by a 2/3 majority in the State Senate and 2/3 majority in the State House would reject Governor Granholm’s Executive Order 2009-36 abolishing the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries. This would also repudiate the proposed Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention proposed in this same Executive Order. We need your help, please continue to contact your State Senator, and especially your Representative. This is still an uphill battle and time is running short. The 60-day window from July 13 for the State Legislature to reject this Order is rapidly coming to a close, July 13 + 60 days = September 11.

Please stress in your communication with our Legislators the importance of keeping over 180 years of Michigan history, literature and culture together in one cohesive Library of Michigan collection. If this permitted to be dissipated, it will never be reassembled. Visitors come from all across the country to research at the Library of Michigan. Please STRESS the importance of passing SCR 18. Make your voice heard NOW. Send your 911 letters, emails, or visits to your State Legislators today!

In addition, Senate Bills 503-527 is a twenty-five bill package, which would transfer all responsibilities for the current Department of History, Arts, and Libraries to the Secretary of State, rather than splitting the parts among several state agencies. For a brief analysis of these bills, visit http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2009-SFA-0503-S.pdf

The following are members of the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee. They are meeting Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. in Lansing. These Senators will make their recommendation to the full Senate on SCR 18 and SB503-527. Please contact these Senators as well.

Senator – E-mail
Sen. Jason Allen, Chair
senjallen@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Judson S. Gilbert, Vice-Chair

Don’t forget the rally at the Library 10th Sept~
senjgilbert@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Tony Stamas
ofctstamas@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Hansen Clarke, Minority Vice-Chair
SenatorHansenClarke@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Tupac A. Hunter
sentahunter@senate.michigan.gov

Michigan Genealogical Council

Don’t forget folks who do not live in MI can still help as this is taking away a lot of tourism.

End of quote

Thank you (That’s from me.)

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Budget Cuts at the Library of Michigan — How Damaging?

March 10th, 2009 | Posted by Granny Pam in Tools and Information | What's going On - (0 Comments)

The Michigan State Senate Appropriations committee will meet Thursday, March 12, 2009. The agenda calls for discussions regarding budget appropriations for the Department of History Arts and Libraries, which is apparently will be dissolved and the functions split among other departments.

A current, partly substantiated, rumor has the Library of Michigan being closed completely, with the collection being parceled out to a “local University”, if they are interested.

While it may not be possible to save the Department [HAL] in the face of the serious budget shortfalls, the Library of Michigan and Archives of Michigan are jewels and deserve our support. The Abrams Foundation has made donations totaling nearly $2,000,000 for the genealogy collection over past years. The people of Michigan should have access to the entire collection, at a central location, with sufficient parking. In times of budget crises, severely reducing hours is certainly an alternative to be considered.

I consider dismantling the collection to be a short-sighted solution to a temporary, although severe problem. Many Michigan citizens benefit from the internet services of the Library and local libraries. This funding through HAL provides internet service for unemployed and disadvantaged persons.

Interested genealogists, citizens and users of the library and archives should call and e-mail their State senators and representatives now. Please do so to express your support for continuing a centralized collection, even if the hours must be severely reduced.

You may also contact Senator Thomas George, chairman of the Michigan Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for History Arts and Libraries by phone at 517-373-2768 to express your support for the Library. You may visit his web page for more contact options.

Do it now, please.

Thank you.

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