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@gardencitymi.org
Garden City Public Library
31735 Maplewood St
Garden City, MI 48135
From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org]
On Behalf Of Gail Madziar
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 4:46 PM
To: jmarks@baycountylibrary.org; michlib-l@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
From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org]
On Behalf Of Jeanette Marks
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 4:32 PM
To: James Lenze <jamesl@Gardencitymi.org>;
michlib-l@mcls.org; Pam Withrow <pwithrow@uproc.lib.mi.us>; Melissa Armstrong <melissa@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@baycountylibrary.org
From: "Melissa Armstrong" <melissa@carolibrary.org>
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 3:36 PM
To: "James Lenze" <jamesl@Gardencitymi.org>,
jmarks@baycountylibrary.org,
michlib-l@mcls.org, "Pam Withrow" <pwithrow@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
From:
michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org]
On Behalf Of James Lenze
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 1:36 PM
To: jmarks@baycountylibrary.org;
michlib-l@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@gardencitymi.org
Garden City Public Library
31735 Maplewood St
Garden City, MI 48135
From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org]
On Behalf Of Jeanette Marks
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 1:23 PM
To: michlib-l@mcls.org; Pam Withrow <pwithrow@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@baycountylibrary.org
From: "Pam Withrow" <pwithrow@uproc.lib.mi.us>
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 12:42 PM
To: michlib-l@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