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Your work to advocate for increased investment in libraries has again been rewarded.
For the third straight year, MLA is proud to announce an additional $500,000 has been included in the State of Michigan budget for State Aid to Libraries. In addition, $800,000
was allocated for the library pilot program that addresses a partnership between public and school libraries. Resources were also included for the Poet Laureate ($100,000), and $1.2 million was awarded through an enhancement grant to the Inkster Library. (One
hundred unique projects were identified to receive $205 million in the newly released budget.)
The state budget also includes $25 million for out of school time (OST) grants, split between intermediate school districts (ISD) and community-based organizations (CBO) with
at least 60% going to CBO which includes nonprofits, public libraries and local municipalities.
No deal was reached between the Governor and the legislature for any major tax cuts or rebates, despite a near $9 billion state surplus. Federal stimulus packages and unexpectedly
high tax collections have created the surplus and there will be further talks taking place this fall. Continued advocacy will be needed with the state legislature to ensure federal COVID relief dollars that remain unspent can be deployed for the benefit of
libraries and Michigan youth and families.
Linked here is a copy of the General
Omnibus Budget for your perusal, as well as the Education
Omnibus Budget which is where the OST grants are listed.
Thank you to Governor Whitmer and to the Michigan Senators and Representatives who continue to recognize the value and importance that libraries bring to every community and
campus throughout Michigan.
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