Here, here, Kathy!  However, I'd like to make a couple of additional comments. Although I am not a member of a genealogical society, I am a pretty darn serious researcher and try and visit the state libs once a week. Like Kathy, I've wondered how researchers can be more proactive as the state of Michigan tries to reconcile its budget shortfall. How can researchers help fill a gap to show a good faith effort that the state library is important to researchers as well as the other programs the state libs offers? During the past few days, I have nosed around the MHAL website as well as a few others. As we get closer to October 1, I wonder: 1. How much money and/or grants were raised for calendar year 2008 (the last listing is Dec 2007) by the Library's foundation? (I did see a blurb where the foundation sent a letter out to its contributors.) This includes individual donations. 2. Would it help if researchers pledged $$ (by a certain date) in order to keep the state library open at its current location? A "fundraiser" might show the governor and the legislature how important we feel this complex is. As Kathy and others (privately) more or less said, Is there any consideration about having a “pay to play” scheme, similar to the Detroit Public Library? Are other Midwest states’ library going through the same budget woes and what are they doing to make up the shortfall? Just a couple of thoughts as this issue gets closer to midnight.... flora resea rching Carpenter, Clark, Churchill and Edgerton lines here in southern Michigan Begin forwarded message: Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 07:14:14 -0700 (PDT) From: Kathy Londo Barnes <digginroots@yahoo.com> Subject: [MI-GENEALOGY] Ways to Save the State of Michigan Library To: mi-genealogy@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <479153.98077.qm@web65507.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 We already pay parking.? We already pay for copies.? Why not pay a minute entrance fee to the facilities?? Yes, I know our taxes already support the running of the library, archives and the museum.? However, I'd gladly pay a dollar or two to walk into the library.? It might help pay for the electricity that's running the computers that are used by those who don't have one at home.? That dollar or two would be taken from everyone who walks in.? Walk into the archives-pay your dollar or two.? It's cheap entertainment (for someone like me who really enjoys such things it's entertaining....)? Same with the museum.? I have to pay to walk into any other museum in the state, why not? ? Said my piece. ? Kathy Londo Barnes Let's Save our Library!!! ? ?