Superpatron

Michigan Genealogical Council "Hands Around the Library" August 5, 2009 to show support for the Library of Michigan

Cut and paste directly from email to MICHLIB-L

----

Fellow Michigan genealogists and library supporters -
Now is the time for Michiganians to come to the aid of our state's history and learning.
Your Michigan Genealogical Council is planning a public assembly in Lansing to show our legislators and fellow citizens that we care about our state's past.
On Wednesday the 5th of August, let's assemble at the State Capitol, on the lawn. We have reserved the North and South lawns, and the steps. Time, 9:45 a.m. The State Senate goes into session at 10 a.m., the only time in the next few weeks we can be certain our legislators will be assembled at Lansing.
At 10:30 a.m., we will process/march over to the Michigan Historical Center and form our *Hands Around the Library* -- in hopes of good media coverage! Since the perimeter of the building is a round 1800 feet, it is obvious we can use as many genealogists or friends of libraries/history of all types as possible. Please definitely let your local Society know you are coming for sure, since you can see that we need coverage - flags and ribbons can be held between people as well as hands and arms.
We'll stay around the building probably 20 minutes starting at 11:00 a.m. -- then off to lunch, research, or museum viewing!
Thanks for your support of Michigan's past … and our future. Please let us know how many from your Society will be able to participate -- and questions to Sue Irvine [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>.
Your Michigan Genealogical Council

---

More information on the Michigan Genealogical Council web site, including this press coverage to date:

July 24 press includes articles in the Toledo Blade and the political blog Capitol Chronicles.

---

The Hands around the Library is featured in the July 23 Genealogy Guys podcast.  Thanks George and Drew!

---

Shirley Gage Hodges has written an article in her column in the Global Gazette (22 July 2009) Crisis Facing the Library of Michigan.

State of Michigan dissolved Dept. of History, Arts and Libraries; more changes pending for FY10

From Nancy Robinson, State Librarian of the Library of Michigan, on reorganizations and budget cuts that affect state-wide library services in Michigan.  As posted to MICHLIB-L
====
Today Governor Granholm issued the executive order (EO 2009-36) that dissolves the Dept. of History, Arts and Libraries effective 10/1/2009. The details of the EO are posted on her website:
http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-21975---,00.html

Of course, some of the details define big changes for parts of the Library of Michigan (significantly, the Census/Demographer functions go to DIT and the Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped go to the Dept. of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth's Commission for the Blind). The remainder of LM will go to the Dept. of Education (MDE). Requirements for the Dept. of Education to look at collection and programming cuts to effect budgetary reductions will be our major challenge, but we will work with the Superintendent of Schools and his MDE administrative staff to review and evaluate how those changes in collections and programming and the resulting staffing changes might or might not work.

Nothing about all of that is settled at this point, and much of our future is also dependent upon the still unknown outcomes for the budget for FY10. So, more is known at this point and planning is made more feasible in many ways. But, there is still more information pending that will help us to plan for the future of the Library of Michigan, our collections, our programming, and our staffing. Thanks for your patience and support.

Nancy

Nancy R. Robertson
State Librarian

Michigan state budget cuts and the impact on MeL interlibrary loan

from the Ann Arbor Chronicle, "State Budget Cuts Affect Library"

If funding is cut, Parker said there might be some discussion among libraries about how to pay for it independently of state and federal aid. That would require hundreds of thousands of dollars, she said. Though AADL pays only a nominal fee to be part of MeLCat, they also pay for 2.5 staff positions dedicated to processing materials for MeLCat, at a cost of about $100,000 annually. She said about three libraries in the state, including AADL, are shouldering the load for MeLCat in terms of providing materials, and they’d need to have a serious discussion about true costs if they were to continue the service, should state and federal funding be cut. “It’s old fashioned, it’s labor intensive, it’s expensive, but it’s loved,” she said.

The article continues that audio-visual materials will no longer be able to be borrowed via MeL by Ann Arbor due to a requirement that borrowing libraries also lend similar materials; there's a concern that the AADL would be overwhelmed by requests for CDs and DVDs, and the high cost of packaging those fragile materials would be prohibitive.

More details on MeL from the Michigan Libraries Consortium wiki.

Michigan library cuts - unknown impact on MEL inter-library loan

I haven't been able to get anything resembling a good read on the possible impact of State of Michigan library budget cuts on the MEL inter-library loan program.  Here's a recent Escanaba Daily Press story from 2/13/2009 -

Library uncertain how it will be impacted by cuts

According to Caroline Stacey, director of the Escanaba Library, approximately 3 percent of the library's annual $500,000 budget is received from the state. "The biggest impact we would anticipate, would be a reduction in services we receive for technical support and delivery programs," said Stacey. The delivery program referred to by Stacey is part of the Library of Michigan program to deliver books to libraries throughout the state. The program is open to any resident of Michigan and provides access to books that a resident's local library may not carry. "This is a program we would like to see continue," said Stacey. She also said she felt the budget proposal offered by the Governor was a structural change, with some programs being absorbed by other departments.

2009 Michigan budget eliminates the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries; proposed reshuffling details

via MICHLIB-L and HAL interim director Mark Hoffman:

>>> Mark Hoffman 2/12/2009 12:47 PM >>>
Here is a recap of the HAL portions of the Governor's budget recommendation. This is the first step of a long legislative budget process.

The current HAL executive and administrative offices are eliminated.

The CED program is transferred to MEDC-Strategic Fund.

Most of the Library of Michigan is transferred to the Dept of Education. Library state aid remains at the FY 2009 level. The census/data program is transferred to the Dept of Information Technology.

The current MCACA grant program is eliminated. The staff are retained and a new capital planning grant program is initiated. The MCACA program is transferred to MEDC-Strategic Fund.

The SHPO and Archaeology programs are transferred to MSHDA.

The Records Management and Archives programs are transferred to DMB.

The balance of the current Historical Center is transferred to DNR.

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission programs are transferred to DNR.

Still unclear is the impact of all of this on MEL and its interlibrary loan program.

Update with entire budget again via MICHLIB-L:

You can view the Governor's proposal for the state budget here:

http://www.michigan.gov/budget

Announcement:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/budget/FY10_Budget_Release_FINAL_267042_7.pdf

Budget Proposal:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/budget/budget20small_267048_7.pdf

Reporting from Crain's:

State funding for arts and cultural grants would be eliminated, universities would see a 3 percent reduction and school districts face a $59 per-pupil cut in state support, under Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.

Michigan Broadband Summit for Libraries, 20 May 2009, Kellogg Center, East Lansing MI

from MICHLIB-L

On May 20, 2009, the Library of Michigan is holding a Broadband Summit sponsored by the American Library Association at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, Michigan. The focus will be the impact of broadband on economic development and libraries. This one-day conference is designed for library directors and government officials. A series of speakers and panel presentations will cover the importance of broadband to Michigan's economic development and growth and how libraries can play a vital role in bringing broadband to their communities. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsor, the American Library Association Office for Information Technology Policy, there is no registration fee and lunch will be provided. Check http://www.michigan.gov/techforlibraries for more information.

I hope that you and one of your local community leaders will plan on joining us!

Regards,
Nancy

p.s. Here is an article that will appear in our next LM4X newsletter about the summit, written by Carrie Lowe of the American Library Association Office for Information Technology Policy (ALA-OITP):

Major news outlets across the country have begun to recognize what we have always known in times of economic hardship, the public's use of the library increases dramatically. More than just providing access to the Internet, the library provides opportunity access to E-government resources, job training, employment and much more.

However, the library's ability to play this role can be hampered by insufficient broadband connectivity. The online resources that people need to improve their lives are increasingly bandwidth heavy, which can result in a virtual traffic jam at peak times. This is particularly true in Michigan. The 2007-2008 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study reports that only 9.4% of libraries in Michigan report that there is always sufficient computers available. This compares to a national average of 17.3%.[1]

In recognition of this vital role played by local libraries and the need for expanded broadband connectivity, the Library of Michigan invites you to attend a Broadband Summit. This event, which will take place on May 20, 2009, is sponsored by the American Library Associations Office for Information Technology Policy. It will be held at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, Michigan. The focus will be the impact of broadband on economic development and libraries.

This one-day conference is designed for public library directors, but it will not be an exercise in preaching to the choir. Every public library director is encouraged to bring a leader from his or her local community such as a legislator, mayor, city/county planner, or other key decision maker. A series of speakers and panel presentations will address the importance of broadband to Michigan's economic development and growth and how libraries can play a vital role in bringing broadband to their communities.

Attendees will also walk away with concrete ideas about how to bridge the broadband gap in their communities. A special presentation on the federal E-rate program will help to demystify the application and disbursement process. We will also discuss strategies for the build out of last mile connections, which can often cause the greatest obstacle to broadband connectivity.

After the conference, the Library of Michigan will produce two products. First, a pocket digest on library connectivity that would serve as a handy informational piece for sharing with potential collaborators. Second, a website will include a video recording of each summit session and links to additional resources.

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsor, the American Library Association Office for Information Technology Policy, there is no registration fee and lunch will be provided. Check http://www.michigan.gov/techforlibraries for registration and more information.

[1] 2008. Davis, D., et al. Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2007-2008. Chicago: American Library Association.

Michigan 2009 budget cuts

from the Detroit News article "State Fair in Jeopardy" 2/2/09 about Michigan library cuts at the state level:

Administration officials couldn't say how much might be saved, nor how many government employees might find themselves surplus, as duplication of services is eliminated.

The 8-year-old Department of History, Arts and Libraries oversees operation of the State Historical Museum, the Library of Michigan, the Michigan Film Office, the Michigan Council for the Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Mackinac Island State Parks Commission. It's not clear whether any of those facilities or functions would be eliminated, transferred to other state agencies or financed with private money. Presumably, the film office would stay open, because the state is doing a brisk movie business following the adoption of a 42 percent tax break for production here.

Boyd said there likely will be state layoffs proposed as part of the 2010 fiscal year budget, but she said the administration does not have a number.

"It's difficult to imagine closing a ($1.6) billion budget hole without layoffs," she said.

stay tuned for the ongoing story

Melcat downtime (& explanation) for 28 August 2008

from MICHLIB-L in its entirety, headers and email addresses trimmed; if you need to know more or who to contact, you should already be on that mailing list.

--

From: Debbi Schaubman

 

As many of you may already know, MeLCat is still down.  We're currently
estimating that we'll be back up at around 12:30pm or so but that estimate
may get adjusted as the morning proceeds.  We will post updates as needed.

Please note that you can continue to do work on the DCB servers and your
local III servers; MeLCat-related transactions will be held in a queue
until the central server is up.

For those wondering what happened and why this is taking so long, read on
. . .

At approximately 4:30pm on Wednesday, we noticed that the system was not
behaving correctly -- MLC staff were not be allowed to login to one of the
administrative interfaces to the system.   At roughly that same time, an
automated monitoring tool notified Innovative Interfaces staff of I/O
errors.   Innovative staff then began investigating the cause of the
problem.     DIT staff verified that I/O errors had occurred and contacted
a technician from Sun.    Sun and DIT staff identified the source of the
I/O errors (one of the SCSI channels).  They suspect that the errors on
the SCSI channel resulted in an issue which knocked a few array mount
points offline.   They unmounted the corrupted volumes and ran file system
checks.  This work was completed at 8pm.

We thought we'd be right back in business at that point but we were wrong
-- the system refused to process transactions in a normal fashion. Further
investigation by Innovative Interfaces staff led to the discovery of
missing system files.  We  believe that these files must have been
corrupted and then dropped during the remount/file system checks.

Innovative Interfaces support managers advised that the best solution
would be to restore from backup.  However, in order to do that, we needed
to first run an incremental backup to grab all the database changes that
occurred since the last full backup 2 days prior.  The incremental backup
started at approximately 11pm.   It was completed at approximately
12:30am.   The data restore from the full backup began around 12:45am.
(Many thanks are due to the DIT staff who coordinated the change of tapes
at the hosting center.  Without him working way past his normal working
hours, we would be looking at another 24-36 hours of downtime.)

At this point, the full restore has completed, as has the restore from the
incremental.  However, that incremental backup had approximately 5.5
million transactions on it.  We need those transactions to be processed
before we can bring the system back up since we need to come back up at
exactly the same system point as when we took the system down.  Otherwise,
stuff will get lost and/or out of sync.

Innovative staff called at 8am to let us know that the system was
processing the transactions at a rapid pace but, due to the sheer quantity
of them, they anticipated another 4 hours of downtime.

Once Innovative tells us that things are caught up, we'll bring the system
back up and send out an announcement.  We will also closely monitor the
system to make sure that all is well.

DIT staff will be talking with Sun staff to unravel more of the mystery
and determine what steps should be taken to prevent this from occurring
again.

Thank you for your patience,

Debbi

the library as labyrinth - Petoskey (MI) Community Labyrinth and other labyrinths of the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan

The Petoskey, Michigan library is home of the Petoskey Commuity Labyrinth:

The meandering but purposeful path of the labyrinth is a metaphor for life. Unlike a maze, there is only one path in and out. There are no shortcuts, no dead ends, and the entire path must be followed to complete the journey. The labyrinth visually reminds us that we are walking a common path. Often circular in design, they represent wholeness and unity. Interest in the labyrinth as a tool for relaxation, healing, building community, solving problems, and nurturing intuition, creativity, and artistic expression has increased significantly over the past several years. They can be found in hospitals, parks, schools, prisons, retreat centers, faith- based organizations, and private gardens.

I was also able to find a library labyrinth in Estacada, Oregon; I'm sure there are others somewhere on some big list or that comments here can help make that big list.

The most notable fictional library as labyrinth would be Borges "Library of Babel", published in the US in the collection Labyrinths. Here's a certain Christopher Rollason on Borges’ “Library of Babel” and the Internet:

Borges wrote “La Biblioteca de Babel” in 1941, and it was published the same year in the collection of stories entitled El jardín de senderos que bifurcan (The Garden of Forking Paths)11. The infinite library is presented from the viewpoint of one of its denizens, “los hombres de la Biblioteca” (“the men of the Library”), who was born in the library, has spent his life among the bookstacks, and knows he will die within its walls. This, certainly, could be read as prefiguring the inhabitants of today’s or tomorrow’s world of virtual information, with their consciousness saturated by an endless flow of cyberdata. The volumes of Borges’ library add up in their totality to the sum of all texts ever written, and, indeed, all texts which could possibly ever be written – and, going well beyond that, also contain every possible combination of letters in every language and, at least by extension, every script: “la Biblioteca es total y ... sus anaqueles registan todas las posibles combinaciones de los veinticuatro símbolos ortográficos ... en todos los idiomas” (“the Library is total and ... its shelves register all the possible combinations of the twenty-odd [the Spanish text says “twenty-four”] orthographical symbols ... in all languages”).

Nice to have then a real (and finite) labyrinth with one path to contemplate the world with, when you are faced with an infinite collection of all symbols in all languages.

(We'll be near Petoskey on our way up north this summer; thanks to Michael Stephens for the suggestion.)

Public relations in the Library - May 22, 2008, Canton MI

from MICHLIB-L:

The Michigan PR group will be having our second meeting on Thursday, May 22nd at 10:00am at the Canton Public Library. Anyone interested in marketing and promotions is welcome to join. Please RSVP to [email protected].

We will have an informal meeting style. Our agenda will be:
Introductions
Main discussion: Word of mouth marketing and ways to involve all staff in marketing.
Sharing success stories.
Setting next meeting.

Also don't forget about our wiki at http://michiganprgroup.wetpaint.com

Thanks,
Kelly

Kelly Ireland
Outreach Librarian
Southfield Public Library
26300 Evergreen Rd.
Southfield, MI 48076

(248) 796-4367
[email protected]
www.sfldlib.org