All, In last Friday's totally over the top MAP message I made note of the fact that when we had additional details to share regarding the expansion of the program, we would share them. Well, it's Friday, so that means it's time for yet another over the top MAP message. Today's exciting news concerns our announcement of commitments by 11 new venues to participate in the combined MAP/Mi Big Green Gym program. These 11 destinations span the state from Concord to Copper Harbor. You can't get more "statewide" than that! All are great, family-friendly places to visit, and I know libraries will be proud to talk that fact up to patrons. Drum roll, please: Mann House Historic Site http://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61080_62659---,00.html Walker Tavern Historic Site http://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61080_61873---,00.html Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic Site http://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61080_62660---,00.html Tawas Point Lighthouse http://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61080_62661---,00.html Civilian Conservation Corps Museum http://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61080_62652---,00.html Hartwick Pines Logging Museum http://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61080_62657---,00.html Father Marquette National Memorial http://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61080_62653---,00.html Fayette Historic Townsite http://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61080_62654---,00.html Michigan Iron Industry Museum http://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61080_62658---,00.html Fort Wilkins and Copper Harbor Lighthouse http://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61080_62655---,00.html Michigan Historical Museum http://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,4726,7-282-61080_62766---,00.html The above 11 venues, along with several hundred others, will join the MAP program starting May 24, or in the case of some of them when the snow melts (my family is originally from the Keweenaw so I am well acquainted with the climate in Copper Harbor), whichever comes first. Of course you will want your library to have the ability to offer passes to these great venues to your patrons, starting May 24. All you need to do is to include a link to the MAP website http://michiganactivitypass.info on your library's website. The beauty of it is, the patrons do all of the work, and you can take all of the credit! We are working with our partners to develop new promotional materials for the expanded MAP program. In the meantime if you'd like to become more acquainted with what the current MAP program is all about, here's a link to a site with all kinds of promotional material, ie bookmarks, a brochure, posters, etc. Please note that this material will be updated prior to the May 24 launch of the new, expanded MAP program: http://tln.lib.mi.us/map/ Finally, and I mention this on account I get this question quite frequently: "What does my library need to do to 'sign up' for the MAP program? Nothing! By virtue of your being a public library in the state of Michigan, I have 'auto-enrolled' your library in MAP. All you need to do to 'sign up' is to include the http://michiganactivitypass.info link on your library's homepage. And of course, promote the program :) Please help get the word out to your patrons and local media contacts, regarding the soon to be expanded MAP program. We appreciate your support for and promotion of, the Michigan Activity Pass program. Sincerely, Jim Flury Jim Flury Technical Services Manager/MAP Program Administrator The Library Network 41365 Vincenti Court Novi, MI 48375 248-536-3100 x133 Fax 248-536-3098 jflury@tln.lib.mi.us