Michigan Library Association Advocates for Free Access to Books

Michigan Library Association Pushes for Legislative Support Against Censorship

In light of escalating concerns over censorship, the Michigan Library Association (MLA) is calling for stronger backing from Governor Gretchen Whitmer and state lawmakers. The organization has launched a petition to emphasize the urgent necessity for protective measures for public libraries.

Since the beginning of 2021, libraries in Michigan have encountered heightened attempts by coordinated groups aiming to ban books and limit access to a variety of ideas. The MLA argues that such initiatives threaten the fundamental purpose of public libraries, which is to serve the entire community equitably.

Dillon Geshel, the interim director of the MLA, shared insights from a recent survey revealing that a significant majority of Michigan residents oppose censorship efforts. The poll, which sampled over 800 individuals, underscores a prevailing belief in the right to read freely.

“Michiganders really overwhelmingly approve of the work of our libraries, as well as the content of the material on their shelves,” Geshel remarked. “And folks don’t really have an appetite for book bans.”

The MLA asserts that attempts to control library collections violate the First Amendment and counteract the core values that position libraries as sanctuaries of free thought and knowledge dissemination.

Geshel noted that the majority of these censorship campaigns originate from a small number of individuals or groups within communities. “Very small groups, or even just one individual in a community, are causing a big uproar on this issue. When we know from looking at the data that Michiganders support libraries and are opposed to censorship,” he stated.

The current climate of conflict has also increased pressure on library personnel, with challenges often clashing with the traditional principles of libraries in the United States. “There’s pressures and demands on them to act in ways that are not in line with the value systems of libraries that we’ve seen since their inception in the United States,” Geshel added.

More than simply resisting censorship, the petition seeks enhanced financial backing, advocating for increased State Aid to Libraries in the next budget cycle and additional funding for resources like the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) and the statewide catalog (MeLCat), which are currently under threat from federal budget cuts.

With a target of gathering at least 1,000 signatures, the MLA intends to present the petition to state officials in Lansing during Library Appreciation Month in October.