Nobody is quite sure who destroyed the library or burned the books. But everyone does agree that civilization lost a priceless part of its heritage when that happened.
Our state has its own great library too, the Library of Michigan in Lansing, which has been around, in one form or another, since before we became a state. It contains 5.6 million priceless books, documents and records, all in a wonderful building in Lansing.
Any citizen can use the library and check out material from it. Additionally, thanks to federal matching funds, the state library system is able to subscribe to online databases that allow Michigan residents to access a vast array of resources from across the world.
But Governor Jennifer Granholm wants to end all of this and deprive Michigan residents of this invaluable resource. She has issued an executive order transferring control of the library to the Department of Education. And that‘s not just a meaningless bureaucratic procedure. Along with it comes dramatic cuts, and a real chance that the library’s extensive collections will be scattered.
James Seidl, who directs a consortium of 49 libraries on southern Michigan was deeply appalled. “Distributing or removing these collections destroys 180 years of collecting, cataloging an preserving materials,” he told the Toledo Blade last week.
In fact, the administration has been talking about converting the library building into some vague, yet to be formed entity called the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention. I can hardly wait.
Nor does the governor’s assault on history and the arts stop there. The library is a casualty of her short-sighted decision to abolish the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.
What that would probably do is end all arts grants funding in the state, which means we would lose matching federal funds as well. The state librarian would be fired. The popular Michigan History magazine would stop publishing. The library would also stop allowing patrons to check out books, which, as respected Lansing columnist Susan Demas noted ironically, is sort of why libraries exist.
The real irony is that Granholm was originally elected with enthusiastic support from the arts community. They despised her predecessor, John Engler, even though he was the guy who created the department she wants to abolish.
Now I know what you are thinking. The state is running a massive budget deficit and cuts have to be made. Well, I couldn’t agree more. The deficit is something like $2 billion dollars.
But do you know how much abolishing the entire Department of History, Arts and Libraries would save? A mere two million. That’s one one-thousandth of what’s needed to close the gap. They could save more by postponing office building renovations.
There is, however, a way out. The legislature could reject this executive order and find the savings elsewhere.
Destroying our heritage for a pittance is crazy. Which is something even a modern-day barbarian should know.
Thank you very much for bringing this to the attention of Michigan Radio listeners. I couldn't agree more with your comments. I am urging everyone to immediately contact their state legislators and make their opinions known.
I can't begin to express what the Library of Michigan means to me. As a kid growing up in rural West Michigan in the 1960s, I was inspired by JFK's space program. Our little library didn't have the science and engineering books I needed but our librarian could get books for me through the Library of Michigan. In those days it would take a month for the books to arrive but I could keep them for six weeks. I taught myself electronics for a series of high school science fair projects. I went on to study engineering at UM and graduated in 1971 a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Posted by: Jan Tripp | July 29, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Thank you. The Genealogy section is most affected - threatened with elimination. A rally is scheduled at the Capitol and the Library on Aug. 5
Posted by: Glen Bachelder | July 29, 2009 at 02:06 PM
I have always had access to more than excellent libraries. I am a retired teacher, and have gone back to college to get certified to work in, or at least feel qualified to volunteer at, a small library.
Not everything can be 'Googled', or as Microsoft would have it, 'Binged'.
Real people need to be involved in a person's search for information, especially that of children, so actual knowledge can be acquired.
From "The Whole Library Handbook": "Any way you look at it, the more we expand libraries, the less we'll expand prisons. Thanks to the Chicago Public Library, I'm a writer now." --Author Sandra Cisneros, quoted in the Denver Post, on April 8, 2005
I am asking my network of family, friends, etc. to contact their State Representatives & Senators on this issue. Ironically, many of them just may end up calling their local Public Library to find out by whom they are represented.
Thank you.
Posted by: J. L. Messer | July 30, 2009 at 04:40 AM
Libraries are you of date; it is called the Internet now. You can find anything online with the right search string.
That $2 million that the arts cost is $2 million less out of a possible tax increase.
The arts in times like this are irrelevant; saving money and growing the economy are what count. Let people get back to work, then we can go look at paintings.
Love the podcasts, keep up the good work!
Posted by: Jim | July 30, 2009 at 11:24 AM
To J.L. Messer: If everything could be found on the Internet, Michigan libraries wouldn't have tens of thousands of users every year pass through their doors. Remember, not everyone has Internet access. I see those folks nearly every day. Also, once those collections are gone, you won't be able to look at them after you're "back to work". Unless tomorrow never comes, we all need to plan for it.
Posted by: C. Fink | July 30, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Good ghod. Talk about selling your birthright for a mess of pottage! This "executive order" is nothing but contemptible grandstanding and should be treated as such.
Posted by: Lee | July 30, 2009 at 02:15 PM
Thank you, Jack, for addressing this dreadful situation and bringing it to the attention of a wider audience. As a Michigan citizen, enthusiastic user of books, and a librarian, I have to tell you that I am truly shocked, appalled and dismayed by the governor's proposal. This is absolutely the wrong action for our legislature to take. I believe it is called "penny wise and pound foolish."
Posted by: Amy Ranger | July 30, 2009 at 07:16 PM
I appreciate your shedding more light on the state library's likely demise, Jack.
I was greatly dismayed at hearing the Gov announce her plan. She's pushing off our heritage in favor of an empty-sounding, glitzy focus on "innovation and reinvention". Sounds like the first reinvention is going to be access and preservation of the state's history. What will replace the library is not obvious, but the history won't be readily available, that's clear. Unfortunately, libraries have a rep as stuffy, out of date places run by stuffy, old-fashioned and overly rigid persons. Not true, of course, but the stereotype persists, and lends itself to making the library an easy target for zeroing out of the state budget.
Posted by: Rita Casey | July 30, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Where would society be without arts and libraries? The arts are never irrelevant!
And no, you cannot find everything on the internet.
Although the internet is filled with information many people do not have the searching skills that librarians have, and many people do not know how to distinguish good information from inaccurate information.
And lastly, libraries have information that you cannot find anywhere else...not even on the internet. Books that are out of print and archive collections, just to name a couple.
Posted by: Laura | July 31, 2009 at 07:01 AM
Just noticed a typo in my first post, “Libraries are you of date” should have read “Libraries are out of date.”
Google has been working on a project now for several years to make out of print/public domain books available online to be searchable. This is the perfect way to encourage home Internet usage and search skills.
I still believe the arts are irrelevant in cases like this; it is an unneeded expense for the state to pay.
Posted by: Jim | July 31, 2009 at 08:23 AM
Jim,
I hope you enjoy only reading books copyrighted before 1923. Books initially copyrighted in the US from 1923 are still protected by copyright law if the initial copyright was renewed. The initial copyright term is 28 years and the renewal is 67 more years. That means a book copyrighted in 1923 can be viewed for free in 2019.
Google has digitized new items however you only view a few pages. If you want to read the entire book I suggest you visit a library or purchase it.
You can purchase a Kindle and download a book. However only the purchaser is allowed to view it. You can't pass it along to another person. When your Kindle dies say goodbye to you books since they can't be transferred.
Jim S
Posted by: James Seidl | July 31, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Thank you for writing this and making clear what needs to be done. As a member of both library and philanthropic communities, I'm appalled and horrified. It is equally disturbing to think that people still don't understand why this is going to hurt the state of Michigan so badly. For the record - the huge library and archive in Lansing is amazing. It's certainly the Alexandrian library of our state.
Posted by: Eva G. | August 05, 2009 at 06:12 PM