MI Library Group Urges Michiganders To Fight Back Against Book Banning

MICHIGAN — The Michigan Library Association is urging Michiganders to fight back against book banning efforts across the state.

The group launched a six-month campaign, called MI Right to Read, which they say is aimed at protecting the First Amendment right to read whatever they choose to at public libraries.

The group says public libraries across the state are being targeted at an alarming rate by individuals and extremist groups looking to remove books that discuss topics such as racism, sexuality, gender and history, in other words, censoring different perspectives.

In last year's Midterm elections, residents in Ottawa County's Jamestown Township voted down a library millage after its staff refused to remove LGBTQ books from its collection, forcing the closure of the only local library after staff.

Michigan libraries were thrown into the political spotlight again earlier this year after a party-line vote on a resolution in the state House to honor Librarian and Library Worker Day.

A statewide MLA poll showed 75 percent of respondents believe there is a need to protect access to books, especially for young people learning about different perspectives. In addition, 83 percent said they would support state legislation that would protect the public's right to read what they want in local public libraries and not have books banned.

"The majority of Michiganders support the work our public libraries do and want to see various perspectives portrayed in the content available at their local libraries," Executive Director of the Michigan Library Association Debbie Mikula said. "Michigan’s public libraries are centers for community, and we want to ensure that librarians across Michigan can do their jobs and serve the needs of all individuals."

The campaign urges Michigan parents to join the coalition of more than 1,500 members to speak out against book banning and censorship efforts happening throughout the state. The MI Right to Read website also has tips and resources for families looking to explore their local public library.

"We need help from parents and all community members when they see these types of efforts to limit or censor content at our public libraries," Rochester Hills Public Library Director Juliane Morian said. "Parents should know that librarians want to partner with them during their family visits to the library to help guide children to age-appropriate content. We can also share resources they might not know exist at the library, like e-books, audiobooks, STEM kits and more."

A 2022 report from Pen America showed school officials at four school districts in Michigan were among those challenging and banning books in what a Banned Books Week 2022 report called an "unprecedented fashion."

After rowdy meetings over controversial book titles in Dearborn public libraries, the school district released new criteria for how books in school libraries will be evaluated and how parents can address concerns they have about specific titles.