[Michlib-l] SB 571
Melissa Armstrong
melissa at carolibrary.org
Tue Jan 12 09:06:34 EST 2016
I agree. The law is very vague and has too much room for interpretations.
For example, If someone calls a public library and asks about an upcoming
mileage and it is 3 weeks away, we are basically to say I'm sorry I can't
respond to that without breaking the law. This is so frustrating..
Melissa Armstrong
Assistant Director
Caro Area District Library
840 W Frank Street
Caro, Michigan 48723
989-673-4329 ext. 107
melissa at carolibrary.org
Signature SizeCaro-Area-District-Library-Logo
From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org] On
Behalf Of David Conklin
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 5:44 PM
To: jmarks at baycountylibrary.org; michlib-l at mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] SB 571
Here is what concerns me:
Text from Public Act 269 of 2015 (formerly SB 571) under CONTENT:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2015-2016/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/20
15-SFA-0571-N.pdf
"Prohibit a public body, within 60 days before an election in which a local
ballot question appears on the ballot, from using public funds or resources
for a communication by radio, television, mass mailing, or prerecorded
telephone message if the communication refers to a local ballot question."
This language was a bit bothersome but was specific in that ".if the
communication refers to a local ballot question." it was illegal.
Text from Gov. Synder's "clarification" letter:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/snyder/SB_571_signing_letter_510083_7.pdf
".it is intended to prohibit communications
that are plain attempts to influence voters without using words like "vote
for" or "support.""
This sounds worse and flings the interpretation windows wide open. Now any
ad can be construed to be an attempt to influence voters and now illegal.
Before the lines were clear no tax dollars promoting a yes vote.
:o/
Dave
David Conklin
Director
Genesee District Library
(810) 230-3335 Office
(810) 732-1161 Fax
<mailto:dconklin at thegdl.org> dconklin at thegdl.org
Genesee District Library Headquarters
4195 W. Pasadena Avenue
Flint, MI 48504
From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org] On
Behalf Of James Lenze
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 5:18 PM
To: Gail Madziar <gmadziar at milibraries.org>; jmarks at baycountylibrary.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
<http://smile.amazon.com/ch/46-2488901> smile
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
_____
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
Signature SizeCaro-Area-District-Library-Logo
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
<http://smile.amazon.com/ch/46-2488901> smile
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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