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@baycountylibrary.org ---------------------------------------- From: "James Lenze" <jamesl@Gardencitymi.org> Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 5:18 PM To: "Gail Madziar" <gmadziar@milibraries.org>, "jmarks@baycountylibrary.org" <jmarks@baycountylibrary.org>, "michlib-l@mcls.org" <michlib-l@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@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 gmadziar@milibraries.org 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 melissa@carolibrary.org 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
