FOR YOUR USE - LIBRARY OF MICHIGAN INFORMATION - BASED ON KNOWN FACTS AS OF 9 May 2009 ? FACT - The State of Michigan's budget for the remainder of fiscal 2009 until 30 September was balanced only by the use of ONE BILLION STIMULUS DOLLARS, and by cuts to the existing budget of $349,337,200.00.? We are left with somewhat over four hundred million stimulus dollars for use in fiscal 2009-2010 beginning 1 October 2009. ? FACT - Governor Granholm indicated in her State of the Union message that Michigan's government needed to be made smaller and less costly, proposing consolidation of departments from eighteen to ten. ? FACT - Governor Granholm has proposed eliminating the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries and merging its functions into other departments. ? FACT - William Anderson, Director of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries, retired as of 31 December 2008.? No replacement for him has been named or mentioned in the four months since. ? FACT - Executive Order 2009-22 cut further funding from the Library of Michigan, eliminating 19 part-time and one seasonal position. ? FACT - The Directors of the Capital Area District Library were invited and did view the west side of the Michigan Historical Center, housing the Library of Michigan, State Law Library, and Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, in order to ascertain their interest in renting this space if available.? The Directors indicated NO interest in renting the space. ? FACT - The State Librarian has instructed all staff to have NO communication whatsoever with anyone outside the Library as to its possible future situation.? They are obeying - no information from this report was obtained from the staff. ? FACT - There will be a state higher level budget meeting on 15 May. ? POSSIBILITY - A further Executive Order with more cuts is expected after that meeting with closure of the Library of Michigan included. ? INFORMATION OBTAINED _ SOURCE NOT HEREWITH.? Talks have been held between Governor Granholm and "a local university" as to the possibility of the Library of Michigan collection being held elsewhere. ? FACT - Other states have closed libraries and archives - including Ohio. ? FACT - Budget Director Robert Emerson in his message of 5 May said that he hoped this present cut/Executive Order would hold through the end of the fiscal year, but had fears that it would not, if the economy worsened or GM went into bankruptcy. ? Under the circumstances, Michigan researchers, historians, librarians, genealogists and the general library-using public see a precious resource in great danger.? We are taking what steps we can to safeguard it. ? Yours in the effort for a better Michigan - today and tomorrow! ? Joanne Harvey, President Michigan Genealogical Council