Hello! Since this was posted on Michlib-L, I’ll provide the answer I sent to the library asking the question: LARA (The Michigan Agency for Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) oversees the licensing & incorporation of corporations (profit and non-profit). The controller/bookkeeper who asked the question is thinking of the library as a non-profit and not as a government entity. Public libraries are government entities and as such, do not report to LARA. Friends’ groups, as non-profit corporations, would. 😊 Take care! Clare Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D. Library Law Consultant Library of Michigan MembielaC@michigan.gov<mailto:MembielaC@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.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: Membiela, Clare (MDE) Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 9:46 AM To: Susan Wess <susan.wess@milanlibrary.org> Cc: michlib-l@mcls.org Subject: RE: LARA ?? Hello Susan: Can you tell me what library you are affiliated with? Is this question for a library or a friends group? Thanks! Clare Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D. Library Law Consultant Library of Michigan MembielaC@michigan.gov<mailto:MembielaC@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.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@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org>> On Behalf Of Susan Wess via Michlib-l Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 9:01 AM To: Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> Subject: [Michlib-l] LARA ?? CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to abuse@michigan.gov<mailto:abuse@michigan.gov> We have a new controller/bookkeeper & she is wondering why we don't belong to LARA & if we should. This is a new one for me. Thanks. Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
