The news that Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has abolished the states Department of Histories, Arts and Librarieswhich includes the state library and archivehas genealogists concerned.
The order is effective Oct. 1 unless the state legislature rejects it within 60 days.
Genealogists provide 85 percent of the foot traffic to the Library of Michigan, says Michigan Genealogical Council (MCG) delegate Mary Strouse. The library’s Abrams Foundation Historical Collection is one of the 10 largest genealogy collections in the United States (see an overview here). Its Seeking Michigan Web site, a partnership with the state archives, was named to our 101 Best Web Sites list this year.
In a July 13 press release, the governor announced a possible transformed Michigan Library and Historical Centerthe Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention, which would help equip Michigan citizens for the knowledge-based economy through entrepreneurial and innovative programs, in partnership with a university or other organization.
What might happen to the library’s genealogy collection? Among other consequences, it could be broken up the among multiple locations, interlibrary loan access (through the MelCat system) could be shut down, and access to materials on non-Michigan ancestors could go away.
MCG reports that 10 Michigan senators have introduced bills in response, which would transfer functions of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries to the Department of State.
See the MCG Web site for information on these bills and links to finding Michigan senators and representatives.