Join the Michigan Library Association and our supporters on the steps of the State Capitol, September 10 at 10 a.m. (Click here for an agenda for the day) Help raise awareness of this important issue and let your legislators know library resources are important to you.

We will plan to meet on the capitol steps on the east side of the Capitol at 9:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 10 a.m. Please bring your friends, patrons, members and anyone else who is interested in protecting library funding.

After the conclusion of the program (at 10:30 a.m.) we will head inside the Capitol for the ”Fill the Gallery!” portion of the day. During this time, attendees will be shown to the third floor of the Capitol to the gallery of both the Senate and House chambers where supporting members of the legislature will introduce the group from the floor of the Senate and House. Again, the more people in attendance for this, the better.

After the gallery introductions, attendees are asked to visit with their lawmakers from the floor of the Senate and/or House. If you would like to instructions on how to do this, please let us know and we will be happy to assist.

After the time in the Capitol, attendees are asked to schedule a meeting with their Representative and/or Senator, or a member of their staff. If no one from the legislator’s office is available to meet, attendees are encouraged to stop by their office anyway, speak with someone in the office, explain who they are, where they are from, why they are in Lansing and leave their business card for the legislator. It is important for lawmakers to know this issue is vital enough to their constituents to come to Lansing to discuss it. Even if you are not able to speak with them personally, even dropping a card and information off for them will speak volumes.

If you need assistance locating your lawmakers or their contact information, please click here for the House of Representatives or here for the Senate. For a list of legislator addresses is available here.

If you are planning to visit a lawmaker’s office or have scheduled a meeting, please leave the MeL FAQ document with them. It provides more information on MeL and why it is as risk.

Things to know:

• This is an outdoor event, please plan to dress accordingly. If possible, wear a red shirt to signify you are part of our group.
• If you would like to make a sign showing your support, please do. The more attention we can attract, the better. Signs do not have to be elaborate, they can be simple and handmade. If you would like suggestions on what your sign should say, please contact us and we will be happy to assist with wording.
• Please submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper before the rally, telling your community about this issue and inviting others to join us. If you would like a sample letter to the editor, or need help determining where to send it, please click here and we will be happy to assist you.
• If your library has a bookmobile and you would like to bring it to the Capitol, please let us know and we will make parking arrangements.

Free Bus Transportation:

Gale, part of Cengage Learning, is providing free bus service to the rally!

Buses are available at Gale headquarters, in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and also at Otsego County Library in Gaylord, Michigan.

The Gale headquarters are located at 27500 Drake Road, Farmington Hills.

The Otsego County Library is located at 700 S. Otsego Avenue, Gaylord.

If you would like to register to ride a bus from either location, please click here.  Space is limited, so please register in advance.

Directions to the Capitol:

If westbound from I-96 or I-69: exit onto US-127 and proceed to downtown Lansing via I-496.  From I-496, take the Walnut Street exit and proceed north.

If eastbound from I-96: exit east on I-496. From I-496, take the Walnut Street exit and proceed north.

For a map of downtown Lansing, click here.

Parking Information
Parking is available on most city streets at meters or in parking ramps for an hourly fee.

Parking ramps are located at:

• Allegan Street and Capitol Avenue (closest to the Capitol)
• Washtenaw Street and Townsend Street
• Kalamazoo Street and Capitol Avenue

If you have any other questions, please contact us and we will be happy to assist in any way possible. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you on September 10!