HB 4530, is one of a few bills (numbers 4530 through 4533) working their way through the Michigan Legislature that would change election dates in Michigan, from the current three times per year (May, August & November) to two times per year. The bills would eliminate the August and May elections and replace them with a June election. Below you can find the arguments for and against the proposed changes.   

Supporters of these bills argue that municipalities (school districts, libraries, road commissions, etc.) purposefully place millages on the ballot in the August election when many residents may be out of town or less likely to vote. This practice is described as a “stealth election” and is thought to improve the odds of a millage win. 

Moving to two elections a year will save municipalities approximately $2,700 per precinct. The move would also save clerks the additional work and effort associated with an additional election per year. 

Those opposing the proposed changes argue that millages for small or low-profile purposes are often placed on the ballot in May or August because it gives the entity the ability to better educate the citizens since the ballot is not as crowded. A ballot crowded with many millage questions can be very detrimental to smaller millages or more complex issues because voters become overwhelmed with the amount of ballot questions. In addition, candidates with smaller budgets could be negatively affected since they will not be able to campaign in the summer for primaries that will now be in June. It could deter less-funded candidates from running. 

The bills are currently in the Senate Committee on Elections and have already passed the House. 

What could this mean for Public Libraries? 

Opponents believe this change has the potential to be extremely problematic for library millages. Libraries will have to plan their millage campaigns carefully to ensure that they will be able to have another try if the first try fails, and they will have to determine how to contend with multiple other millage campaigns and ballot questions while campaigning and educating voters. Libraries depend on their millages. This bill reduces the options a library has for when to put their millage on the ballot. 

This has been tried before and defeated. What is different this time?  

This bill has gained strong support in the legislature. Recent election issues and controversy have made the concept of fewer elections attractive. The Secretary of State is now in favor of this plan, and municipalities are looking to save funds. Municipal clerks support these bills. The bill has been passed by the House of Representatives and is currently in a Senate Committee. There is some strong opposition to this bill – schools and municipal associations are opposed to this bill, as is the Michigan Library Association. However, even with rigorous lobbying against them, the bill still passed the House.  

Library Trustees can review this and other legislation and advocate on behalf of their libraries by contacting their elected officials.

To learn more about these bills and their potential impact, check out the following sources: 

HB 4530, HB 4531, HB 4532, HB 4533  Michigan legislature text and information. Also lists sponsors. 

Michigan Votes.org information (non-partisan)

MLA Call to Action HB 4530 

AP Wire story on Election Bills 

Interested in learning about other bills pending in the legislature that might affect libraries? Stay connected with the Michigan Library Association, a statewide advocacy and support organization serving Michigan libraries and review their list of priority legislation. 

 

Quality measures provide a foundation on which to build coherent efforts to increase the quality and impact of library services, improve the knowledge, skills and abilities of employees, and ultimately to strengthen the organization as a whole. Libraries need such a foundation, especially in times of rapid change and evolution, in order to choose the most efficient and productive paths for providing good value to their communities through high quality staff, services, programs and collections.  

The Library of Michigan’s (LM) Quality Service Audit Checklist (QSAC) program is a voluntary management standards program that assists public libraries by setting benchmarks in several areas including: Governance & Administration; Human Resources; Services; Collection Development; Technology; Facilities & Equipment; and Public Relations. The program is especially helpful as a tool to assist trustees understand the baseline level of services expected of a public library. Why participate in the QSAC program? Quality measures can be used to educate staff, trustees, local authorities, and state legislators. They can show your community what you have achieved with your current funding, and what could be possible if that funding was increased. The measures can be used as part of strategic planning, as examples of where and how your library can grow and improve. They are an advocacy tool for every library, regardless of size or funding level. 

LM also recognizes public libraries as they achieve each level in the program. Libraries can be certified at the Essential, Enhanced, and Excellent levels. Enhanced and Excellent levels are recognized with a plaque that can be displayed in the library and Essential level libraries receive a certificate. All libraries also receive window clings for their buildings and can add logos to their websites to help denote their achievements. 

To get started with the QSAC program visit the website and review the 2020 QSAC All Measures All Areas document to find out what measures your library would need to meet to be certified at each level. After reviewing to ensure the library meets all the current measures of the Essential Level, use the online form to submit your application. Libraries should start the process with the Essential Level and then apply for subsequent higher levels if they are able to meet the higher level of measures. Certification in each level lasts for three years. At the end of that time a library will need to re-apply to maintain certification. Every three years the Library of Michigan convenes a committee to review the measures and make updates necessary to maintain current practices in library administration.   

If you are a new trustee and would like to learn more about the program visit the QSAC web page to find out more or contact us with any questions. 

 

Libraries must constantly change to serve the needs of their local population. Our users’ needs change, and their expectations for new or different services and programs play a part in the growth of the organization and its service to the community. 

 So how do you ensure your library staff, director and all its trustees are ready to meet the challenges associated with this change? You can help do this by supporting professional development, training, and growth opportunities in the workplace. This is essential in attracting and maintaining a knowledgeable, skilled, and confident library staff. When the community sees the library as a credible organization that provides high quality services and programs it supports your millage and other endeavors as well.  

The next step is to make professional development an expectation for everyone, including trustees. Have a budget that supports travel and registrations for staff and trustees to take part in improving their knowledge and skills. If financial support is a concern, seek out free opportunities and support flexible schedules to allow for attendance at training events. Include training expectations in union contracts and evaluation and review processes. Encourage an increase in the organization’s statewide and national profile by supporting library staff participation in presentations at events and conferences. This is a great way to celebrate and share library success and lessons learned.  

The Library of Michigan provides many resources that can help trustees and library staff increase outcomes related to their own personal development. Be sure to check out the links below for more information. 

Library of Michigan Continuing Education contains training and professional development opportunities for staff and boards, stipend program for library staff, and links to statewide and national organizations training offerings. 

Library of Michigan Trustee Information provides links to resources such as the statewide United for Libraries website and other board resources. 

 

Follow the LM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Also, visit our website, For Libraries, for more information from the Library Development department to support your role as a public library trustee.   

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram too to keep up with what’s happening at LM!