[Michlib-l] SB 571

Mon Jan 11 20:10:48 EST 2016

Thank you, James. I want to be clear than I am not trying to be obtuse or support SB571. I've worked at two separate libraries that passed their millage by using a citizen group to solicit funds to mail promotional literature, provide and distribute yard signs, and supply phones. This group also conducted interviews on air, on local cable and in print to promote the millage. Staff was not allowed to discuss the millage whatsoever while working. I guess I don't take SB571 too seriously. I suppose this is a good time to make clear that the opinions I've expressed are my own and not that of Bay County Library System. CYA, check. Frustration over politics, check. Still love being a librarian, check.

 Peace out.

Jeanette Marks, Managing Librarian
Bay County Library System
Pinconning Branch Library
218 Kaiser St.
Pinconning, MI  48650
PH  989-879-3283 ext. 207
FAX 989-879-5669
jmarks at baycountylibrary.org

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 From: "James Lenze" <jamesl at Gardencitymi.org>
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 5:18 PM
To: "Gail Madziar" <gmadziar at milibraries.org>, "jmarks at baycountylibrary.org" <jmarks at baycountylibrary.org>, "michlib-l at mcls.org" <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Subject: RE: [Michlib-l] SB 571   

Jeanette,  

Here is a sample of what you may have missed:  

Prior to SB571, as long as we did not suggest how one should vote, we could:  

1.       Use library resources to prepare and mail informational materials about local ballot issues - including postcards reminding people to vote.  

2.       Include factual information about the ballot issue in our newsletters.  

3.       Be interviewed on our local cable channel about the ballot issues.  

4.       Speak at televised City Council meetings about the ballot issues.  

5.       Rebut factually erroneous statements made by the public at televised Council meetings.  

Now, I need a legal opinion to tell me if any of these are permissible.  

James B Lenze, Director            jamesl at gardencitymi.org
Garden City Public Library
31735 Maplewood St
Garden City, MI 48135  

From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org] On Behalf Of Gail Madziar
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 4:46 PM
To: jmarks at baycountylibrary.org; michlib-l at mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] SB 571 

Jeanette makes a valid point. You may certainly answer reference questions. MLA continues to work on this issue, its repercussions and possible solutions. Watch for more information in Thursday's MLA Update.  

Take care,  

Gail Madziar  

Michigan Library Association  

gmadziar at milibraries.org  

From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org] On Behalf Of Jeanette Marks
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 4:32 PM
To: James Lenze <jamesl at Gardencitymi.org>; michlib-l at mcls.org; Pam Withrow <pwithrow at uproc.lib.mi.us>; Melissa Armstrong <melissa at carolibrary.org>
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] SB 571  

I must be missing something in the bill. I thought it was redundant as we all know we cannot use library money to print materials on library ballot issues, we cannot use staff time to work on millage proposals, we cannot promote our library's millage proposal while working on the clock, etc. I read that we can still hand out the League of Women Voters material, tell a patron which precinct they are registered to vote in, and tell them if their community has a local election. Those are valid reference questions and resources. Period. If they aren't, then what about the political books that are purchased? Can we not have them in the collection? Do they go in hiding for 60 days prior to an election? Ridiculous! We keep on rockin' our bad librarian selves, people! Keep answering those reference questions. Just don't think you can print out or distribute political literature or wear Vote for the ACME Library t-shirts while working the desk. 

Jeanette Marks, Managing Librarian
Bay County Library System
Pinconning Branch Library
218 Kaiser St.
Pinconning, MI  48650
PH  989-879-3283 ext. 207
FAX 989-879-5669
jmarks at baycountylibrary.org 

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From: "Melissa Armstrong" <melissa at carolibrary.org>
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 3:36 PM
To: "James Lenze" <jamesl at Gardencitymi.org>, jmarks at baycountylibrary.org,  michlib-l at mcls.org, "Pam Withrow" <pwithrow at uproc.lib.mi.us>
Subject: RE: [Michlib-l] SB 571    

I tend to agree.. He can ask the law makers to go back and make it right but I am sure it won't be done.  The whole thing is nonsense and only hinders us from doing our jobs as well as schools.  It is very upsetting.  

Melissa Armstrong  

Assistant Director  

Caro Area District Library  

840 W Frank Street  

Caro, Michigan 48723  

989-673-4329 ext. 107  

melissa at carolibrary.org  

From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org] On Behalf Of James Lenze
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 1:36 PM
To: jmarks at baycountylibrary.org; michlib-l at mcls.org; Pam Withrow
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] SB 571 

While this is nice, how much weight does the Governor's interpretation carry in a court of law?  I mean, this is not the same as an Attorney General's Opinion, is it?    

James B Lenze, Director            jamesl at gardencitymi.org
Garden City Public Library
31735 Maplewood St
Garden City, MI 48135  

From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org] On Behalf Of Jeanette Marks
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 1:23 PM
To: michlib-l at mcls.org; Pam Withrow <pwithrow at uproc.lib.mi.us>
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] SB 571  

Thank you so much for sharing, Pam. I did not interpret the new bill as preventing librarians from providing reference service to patrons with election questions. Hopefully others will feel comfortable in providing reference service as well. 

Jeanette Marks, Managing Librarian
Bay County Library System
Pinconning Branch Library
218 Kaiser St.
Pinconning, MI  48650
PH  989-879-3283 ext. 207
FAX 989-879-5669
jmarks at baycountylibrary.org 

----------------------------------------

From: "Pam Withrow" <pwithrow at uproc.lib.mi.us>
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 12:42 PM
To: michlib-l at mcls.org
Subject: [Michlib-l] SB 571    

Hello Everyone,  

Because we have a millage coming up in March, we've been watching this legislation pretty closely.  Governor Snyder offered a letter of clarification that should help put librarian minds at ease.   http://www.michigan.gov/documents/snyder/SB_571_signing_letter_510083_7.pdf  

Thank you,  

Pamela Withrow, Director  

Forsyth Township Public Library  

180 W. Flint St.  

PO Box 1328  

Gwinn, MI 49841  

906-346-3433  

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