FYI Peggy Youngs French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan List _______________________________________________ Hello Folks, Here is what is planned for the Michigan Historical Center and the Library of Michigan. If you have not taken action yet, have not called, emailed, or written a letter of protest, then you better do so now. We have to put more pressure on Lansing politicians to not ruin the Library of Michigan. And how in the hell is ruining the Library of Michigan, spending money to move it, spending more money to renevate the building, etc., going to save money during this budget crisis? Lastly, keep in mind (unless there has been a recent change I am unaware of), no librarians are being included in the committee coming up with these plans. JP >From Gongwer News Service -- August 17, 2009: INNOVATION CENTER PLAN CALLED FOR SCHOOL AT MUSEUM Creation of a new high school focused on mathematics and science at the Michigan Historical Center, along with restructuring the center to focus on science, state history and world cultures, were all part of an initial report presented to Governor Jennifer Granholm<http://www.gongwer.com/programming/bio.cfm?nameid=6701&locid=1>on possibilities for the state's library and museum. The report also called for creating a business incubator in the center and completely removing the state library and making it part of Michigan State University's library system. Even though the proposal is publicly available, through MSU's website, and elements of the proposal have been discussed, there has been little attention overall put on the total elements of the proposed project. The proposal also does not outline anticipated costs for the project. But the proposal also called for a major renovation of the building, which would presumably remove the giant white pine in the center courtyard, to redo the "silo-like" architecture of the building with a new center atrium that would help expose visitors to the varied displays and learning areas. The current architectural structure makes such an atrium a necessity, the report said, to "promote the new mission of providing choices and synergies." The report on the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention, was prepared by MSU (along with the New Jersey consulting firm of Liberty Science Center and the architecture firm Harvey, Ellis, Deveraux) and presented to Ms. Granholm in May, approximately two full months before she issued Executive Order 2009-36, which eliminates the Department of History, Arts and Libraries and divides its functions between a number of different departments. Ms. Granholm also announced that she would appoint a commission for a new Center for Innovation and Reinvention. In the report, a letter from MSU President Lou Anna Simon says the proposal is not a final idea and will require more input from the public. But she said the center would help ensure that the state is prepared for the knowledge economy, enhance the state's ability to provide a welcoming atmosphere to new companies and help improve the state's K-121 educational system. Under the report the major changes to the structure, such as opening the new high school, would be completed in 2012. The report does not, however, put a cost estimate to the tree removal, renovations and reconstruction of the facility. Seeking revenue sources is a major part of the report, however, and it discusses having some governmental support, which would include funding for the high school, as well as corporate support to help maintain the center. The report also talks about ticketed exhibits and events at the center for the general public. Admission now to the state museum (though there are charges for parking) and the MSU museum are free; there is a $5 admission for adults to the Impression 5 science center. A spokesperson for Ms. Granholm could not be reached for comment on whether she concurred with the overall vision of the report. Under the proposal, the entire 5 million-piece collection of the state library would be removed and housed at MSU in its current main library building and an adjacent structure. The report says the consultants retained for the project did not view the library collection as a "compliment to the new mission." So far, the most vocal opposition to the elimination of HAL and the changes to the library and museum have come from library interests and genealogists, worried that the changes will destroy access to the collection. Earlier this month, protestors ringed the historical center. Ms. Granholm's office has said that access to the state's collection is important, and the report says, briefly, that access to the library's collection must be maintained. Under the proposal, along with the new center atrium, a new multipurpose center would be built on the northwest section of the building. Most of what now is the library area of the building would be converted into the new high school. The proposal also calls for construction of a new theatre, some 23,000 square feet of shops and dining, and restructured floors that feature Michigan history as well as science and engineering displays.