Bill Text: MI HR0173 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to declare October 2021 as Library Appreciation Month in the state of Michigan.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-4)
Status: (Passed) 2021-10-05 - Adopted [HR0173 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-HR0173-Enrolled.html
house resolution no.173
Reps. Posthumus, Allor, Bezotte, Breen, Calley, Cavanagh, Haadsma, Kuppa, Morse, Rogers, Sabo, Sneller, Steenland, Thanedar, Weiss and Witwer offered the following resolution:
A resolution to declare October 2021 as Library Appreciation Month in the state of Michigan.
Whereas, The Michigan Library Association (MLA) annually designates the month of October as a statewide observance to celebrate the contributions of Michigan's libraries, librarians, and library staff; and
Whereas, Michigan's libraries (school, public, academic, tribal, cooperatives, and special libraries) are vital, dynamic centers of discovery and lifelong learning, serving as cornerstones in healthy communities; and
Whereas, Librarians and library workers play key roles in connecting their community members to resources and information, helping people explore, imagine, and discover new horizons in the vast world of information, knowledge, and entertainment; and
Whereas, Today’s libraries are less about what they have on the shelves and more about what they can do with and for their communities, whether it’s through virtual services or in-person visits; and
Whereas, Libraries and librarians work to create an equitable society by providing free access to accurate information to all people; and
Whereas, In times of crisis, libraries and library staff play a critical role in continuing to support their communities when they need it the most; and
Whereas, Libraries bring together diverse populations and are a resource for all members of the community regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socio-economic status; and
Whereas, Libraries strive to develop and maintain programs and collections that are as diverse as the populations they serve; and
Whereas, Libraries serve as a vital connection to the people, places, and ideas of the world through books, magazines, videos, and the Internet and are the primary point of online access for people without computers at home, school, or work; and
Whereas, Libraries provide indispensable educational resources for children and teenagers and are on the front lines in the battle against illiteracy, offering plenty of free activities, as well as safe, enriching entertainment for the whole family; and
Whereas, One-half of all Michiganders hold library cards, and in 2020, visited their local libraries in-person more than 33 million times, virtually nearly 55 million times, and borrowed over 57 million physical items and close to 12 million e-materials; and
Whereas, In 2020, Michigan public libraries provided more than 13,000 live virtual programs for children, teens, and adults reaching over 608,000 people; and
Whereas, During the worldwide pandemic in 2020, 76% of Michigan’s public libraries offered curbside services and 82% continued to provide reference services via phone and internet - providing a way to continue getting information and materials to residents even when library buildings were closed to the public; and
Whereas, Hundreds of libraries and millions of library supporters across Michigan are celebrating Michigan Library Appreciation Month this October; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare October 2021 as Michigan Library Appreciation Month in the state of Michigan. We encourage all residents to visit their library in person or virtually to connect to the myriad of services, resources, and collections their library provides.
