Latest news with #MeLCat
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Michigan libraries worry for funding cuts after executive order
EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — In March, President Trump issued an executive order that would cut funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services. From books and movies to internet access and even assistance in finding a job—your local library has it all. Gabby Kindig with the East Lansing Public Library says the recent executive order could make it harder for them to offer up these important resources. 'And especially for small libraries and rural libraries, they don't have a lot of funding to supplement, and so they really, really rely on this money to serve this population,' said Kindig. According to the Michigan Library Association, millions of dollars that they rely on each year could be impacted. Although a federal court blocked that executive order in response to a lawsuit by the American Library Association, it still leaves concerns about future funding. 'Here in East Lansing, we would lose about $48,000 from the federal funding, but one of the bigger impacts is to MeLCat,' said Kindig. 'So, that's the Michigan E-Library, it's run by the Library of Michigan, and it's funded entirely by the IMLS.' Kindig says her library does receive funding from other outlets, like the state and local governments. 'We are luckily funded by a millage which is approved by voters,' said Kindig. 'Most of our budget comes from this millage. So, we won't have too much of a devastating impact.' The same can't be said for libraries in small rural areas. 'If their funding is cut, then that's going to have an impact on the availability of resources,' said Kindig. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Most popular books borrowed from Michigan libraries via MeLCat online catalog
As National Reading Month ends, amid growing concerns about future federal funding for libraries, the Michigan eLibrary has tallied the state's most-requested books year-to-date. MeLCat is an online catalog service that lets library members borrow books and other items from over 400 libraries statewide. Most books on the list were recently published fiction, although one title was published over three decades ago. Published in 1993, late science fiction writer Octavia Butler's "Parable of the Sower" ranks 12th for this year's most-requested title. The novel predicts a dystopian future, set in 2024, where a young protagonist is forced to navigate conditions of scarcity, political unrest and climate change. More: Michigan libraries, museums brace Michigan libraries, museums brace for loss of federal funds after Trump executive order "The Frozen River," written by Ariel Lawhon, tops the state's library lending list so far this year. The book, inspired by the life and writings of Martha Ballard, an 18th-century Maine midwife, has been checked out more than 200 times between Jan 1 and March 18. A fictional story of a widow who forms a bond with an octopus at an aquarium where she works is the subject of the debut novel by Shelby Van Pelt. The book, "Remarkably Bright Creatures" published in 2022, ranks 4th on the statewide list this year and was the most requested book last year. "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" by James McBride "The Women" by Kristin Hannah "West with Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge Four of last year's top five requested books remain popular in the first quarter of 2025. In 2024, more than 980,000 items were loaned out using the MeLCat system, according to the state. Contact Kristi Tanner: ktanner@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Most popular books borrowed from Michigan libraries via MeLCat
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump takes aim at national library agency: What that could mean for Michigan libraries
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — After President Donald Trump signed an executive order that could all but dismantle a national museum and library agency, Michigan libraries are worried about what the move could mean for some statewide services. Trump on March 14 signed an executive order to reduce the Institute of Museum and Library Services, along with six other national agencies, 'the minimum presence and function required by law.' Along with signing the 'Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy' executive order, he also appointed a new acting director for the IMLS, Slotkin questions what Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez have 'actually done' The IMLS was first established in 1996 by a Republican-led Congress, the Associated Press reports. Its mission is 'to advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development,' its website says. In provides grants to museums, libraries and other organizations across the country, giving out $266.7 million in 2024. In Michigan, libraries rely on it for almost $2.25 million annually, and it also gives out $1.77 million a year to Michigan museums and archives, according to a from six Michigan organizations, including the Michigan Library Association. They said the state also gets $4.78 million a year through the agency's Grants to States program. 'For IMLS, (the executive order) would mean a dramatic reduction in its scope and capacity to support our nation's cultural institutions. Libraries and museums across the country will feel the effects of these cuts, particularly in areas reliant on discretionary funding and special initiatives,' the joint statement says, noting that the funding the state receives from the IMLS could be affected. Trump moves against Department of Education: What to know 'In Fiscal Year 2024, the government spent $6.75 trillion, exceeding its revenue and resulting in a deficit,' the joint statement later says. 'While the stated purpose of the EO is to reduce bureaucracy and waste, it is unreasonable to target the federal funding allocated to libraries and museums that represents just a tiny fraction – approximately 0.0043% in FY 2024 – of the federal budget.' Carol Dawe, the director of Lakeland Library Cooperative, which represents 42 libraries in eight West Michigan counties, said the move does not threaten local libraries' day-to-day operations. But it could affect statewide services, she said, like the (MeL and MeLCat). The resource-sharing program makes it easy to send books from one library to another, and includes an electronic library. Dawe said Michigan libraries lent more than 1 million books through the program in 2024, and residents accessed more than 19 million electronic journals and articles for things like homework research and test preparation. 'Some people get their books through Mel for their academic books for college, their textbooks, so they don't have to pay for them. Other people use them for book discussions. People have used them when there's been a medical crisis in the family where they want to go on and do online (research),' she said. 'If a child wants to do their homework and they have to do a paper on frogs at 10 at night on a Sunday, no library is open. But the Mel Electronic Library is open 24/7, so they could go on and get what they need and write a nice paper on frogs.' More than 1.9M digital books checked out by Kent District Library readers in 2024 According to a , funding from the IMLS also supports workforce development, local community services, early literacy support, local history support and technology support. 'A dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services would have negative implications for every American and the library services on which they rely,' State Superintendent Michael F. Rice, Ph.D., said in the release. 'This action would decrease access to books and other library materials and would harm residents in Michigan and across the country, especially those who live in small and rural communities.' Dawe said there's some confusion among library leaders in Michigan over the executive order aimed at an agency created and funded by Congress. 'Congress should be the one that is funding or defunding these — and Congress has the right to do that. But this is all coming from the executive branch,' she said. 'We just want to serve the population that we serve. We want to enrich lives and provide information and resources so everyone has access, it's really as simple as that. And this takes away that access.' She encouraged residents who disagree with the move to contact their elected officials. Inside West Michigan libraries 'It's very important that people realize that as these services are taken away, it's very difficult to reinstate them,' she said. 'Information is power. And if we don't have resources for our children, for our parents, for ourselves, then we really are at a disadvantage. Because information really is the most valuable commodity that we have.' News 8 reached out to Trump's office for a comment Thursday and did not hear back by end of business day Friday. U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, was unavailable for an interview. A spokesperson from his office noted that Huizenga supported , which includes funding for the IMLS through the rest of the fiscal year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
