[Michlib-l] MeLCat Bookmark

Tue Apr 8 14:17:07 EDT 2025

Hello Jessica:

The line between information and advocacy is very thin and gray.

In this instance, the text at the bottom of the bookmark likely could be interpreted as advocacy.

Section 57 of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act,  MCL 169.257 https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-169-257 Prohibits public employees from using public resources or time while “on the clock” at a public employer from engaging in advocacy.

However, public employees and entities MAY provide “factual information” regarding issues that effect the entity.

Providing information on MeL, and providing information on how patrons can identify their legislators’ contact information is fine – the inclusion of language such as  “What steps can I take to keep MeL funded?” and “You can contact your state and federal representatives…” is likely edging too far into advocacy territory.

HOWEVER, individual public employees have first amendment rights to political expression – just not with public resources or on “work time.” In other words, the same bookmarks could be posted to a library’s public bulleting board (or other publicly available display space), and copies of the bookmark left for patrons to pick up. The difficult part comes when the library produces something suggesting that patrons contact their legislators and actively distribute it to patrons.

I would strongly suggest that any library wishing to use library resources to produce these bookmarks – and which intend to hand out to patrons- consult their library’s attorney.

I hope this is helpful!

Sincerely,
Clare

Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D.
Library Law Consultant
Library of Michigan
MembielaC at michigan.gov<mailto:MembielaC at michigan.gov>
517-335-8132

The research and resources above are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.

“the State may not, consistently with the spirit of the First Amendment, contract the spectrum of available knowledge.” Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U.S. 479, 482 (1965).
Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan<https://www.michigan.gov/mde/resources/michigan-top-10-strategic-education-plan> provides focused direction to drive educational achievement in support of all learners.
[Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan]
[Michigan.gov/Vote logo   Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>
Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.

From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> On Behalf Of Jessica Holman via Michlib-l
Sent: Monday, April 7, 2025 5:31 PM
To: Victoria Edwards <edwardsv at wblib.org>
Cc: michlib-l at mcls.org; mi-pr-group at mail2.mcls.org; Cathy Russ <russcath at wblib.org>
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] MeLCat Bookmark

CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse at michigan.gov<mailto:abuse at michigan.gov>

Very nice bookmarks!

Are we allowed to tell people to contact their representatives? I was told that we could not. That we cannot advocate, we can only give information.

Jessica Holman
Library Director
Negaunee Public Library
319 West Case Street
Negaunee, MI 49866
(906) 475-7700 ext. 18

she/her/hers

On Mon, Apr 7, 2025 at 4:45 PM Victoria Edwards via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l at mcls.org>> wrote:
Hello,

To inform patrons about the potential impact of IMLS funding cuts to popular library services, the West Bloomfield Library has designed a bookmark to be placed in patrons' MeLCat holds and shared with patrons who have questions. I've heard a few libraries are considering similar steps. You are welcome to reuse our bookmark design.

We created the design on Canva<https://www.canva.com/design/DAGjmWHyEgU/ndEz9EB5-5R3il7JQukN5g/edit?utm_content=DAGjmWHyEgU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton>, so your library can copy, edit, and add your own branding; just click File>>Make a copy. I will update the Canva template if changes are necessary. Alternatively, I've attached a ready-to-print version with 6 bookmarks per page (attached). You'll want to print it two-sided and flip it on the short edge.

Kind regards,

Victoria Edwards
(248) 232-2273
Marketing Coordinator
West Bloomfield Library
_______________________________________________
Michlib-l mailing list
Michlib-l at mcls.org<mailto:Michlib-l at mcls.org>
https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l

--
Jessica Holman
Library Director
Negaunee Public Library
319 West Case Street
Negaunee, MI 49866
(906) 475-7700 ext. 18

she/her/hers
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mail3.mcls.org/pipermail/michlib-l/attachments/20250408/cf88530e/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 24482 bytes
Desc: image001.jpg
URL: <http://mail3.mcls.org/pipermail/michlib-l/attachments/20250408/cf88530e/attachment.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.png
Type: image/png
Size: 12580 bytes
Desc: image002.png
URL: <http://mail3.mcls.org/pipermail/michlib-l/attachments/20250408/cf88530e/attachment.png>