Here is some news coverage and a poll about the Hands around the library and the concerns over cutting the Michigan Library.
http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/52541642.html?pollSubmit=y&submit=submit&oid=1&mr=1&cid=6500&pid=52547372
http://lansingstatejournal.com/
Click on the library tab under the main header of the page!
There are some powerful message from both reports!
Showing posts with label Library of Michigan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Library of Michigan. Show all posts
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Library of Michigan- An Email
Here are copies of an emails that I have recently recieved on the Library of Michigan and how we can all help.
The future status of the Library of Michigan, the Archives and the Museum isbeing threatened by an Executive Order of the Governor. You can read thefull text of this order at:http://michigan.gov/documents/gov/EO36_285881_7.pdf.
This is not a done deal yet. Executive orders can be rejected by theLegislature. This order, if the Library is to be saved, must be rejected byOct. 1, 2009. The Michigan Genealogical Council (MGC) of which MMGS is amember is leading a campaign to have this order rejected. You can read moreabout these efforts at:http://mimgc.org/
Our society was very active in efforts that made the present home for theLibrary, Archives and Museum possible. We have supported the collectionsand work of the Library for many years. It is time for us to come togetherand help rescue these treasures from destruction by this Executive Order.
One of the ways you can aid the cause is to write, call or visit your StateRepresentative and State Senator. For non-Michigan residents, write SenatorJason Allen. The MGC webpage gives directions for determining yourlegislative people: http://mimgc.org/
Another event planned by MGC is a day of support called "Hands around theLibrary." August 5, 2009 is the chosen day for genealogists, historians andinterested persons to assemble and show the Michigan Legislatures that theservices and the facilities of the Library, Archives and Museum should notbe dispersed in the manner described by the Executive Order. The detailsare not firmly in place for this event. The plan so far is to gather at theState Capitol at 9:45 am and be present for the opening of the Legislativesessions. The group will then march across the mall to the Library buildingand join other interested persons. At 11 am, all present at the Librarywill form a large circle around the building and clasp hands of support. Theevent will be concluded by noon. It is hoped that this event will be wellpublicized and reported upon by our media system.
As you can imagine, this event needs to be well organized and coordinated.Joanne Harvey has been working on getting the necessary permits from theLansing Police Dept. She has asked for member help in continuing theseplans. She needs a right hand man or personal assistant to help with therecruiting of people, planning signs, gathering flags and buntings, makingnumerous phone calls and generally helping her with the many details that gointo such events. Please, if you can help, give Joanne a call at517-321-0945 or drop an e-mail to her at harveyfti@webtv.net
Along with the people, the circle needs definition. If you have a machinethat chalks grass, that would be a welcome service. If you have other ideasand services for the event let Joanne know. If you know how to getpublicity, now is the time to come forward with your ideas and contacts. Wemust all join together and save our Library.
More details on the Aug. 5 events of support will be sent to you as theybecome available.
Judy
Judy Levy Pfaff
Here is how to fax, call, mail Governor Granholm
http://globalgenealogy.com/globalgazette/gazsh/gazsh-0034.htm
The future status of the Library of Michigan, the Archives and the Museum isbeing threatened by an Executive Order of the Governor. You can read thefull text of this order at:http://michigan.gov/documents/gov/EO36_285881_7.pdf.
This is not a done deal yet. Executive orders can be rejected by theLegislature. This order, if the Library is to be saved, must be rejected byOct. 1, 2009. The Michigan Genealogical Council (MGC) of which MMGS is amember is leading a campaign to have this order rejected. You can read moreabout these efforts at:http://mimgc.org/
Our society was very active in efforts that made the present home for theLibrary, Archives and Museum possible. We have supported the collectionsand work of the Library for many years. It is time for us to come togetherand help rescue these treasures from destruction by this Executive Order.
One of the ways you can aid the cause is to write, call or visit your StateRepresentative and State Senator. For non-Michigan residents, write SenatorJason Allen. The MGC webpage gives directions for determining yourlegislative people: http://mimgc.org/
Another event planned by MGC is a day of support called "Hands around theLibrary." August 5, 2009 is the chosen day for genealogists, historians andinterested persons to assemble and show the Michigan Legislatures that theservices and the facilities of the Library, Archives and Museum should notbe dispersed in the manner described by the Executive Order. The detailsare not firmly in place for this event. The plan so far is to gather at theState Capitol at 9:45 am and be present for the opening of the Legislativesessions. The group will then march across the mall to the Library buildingand join other interested persons. At 11 am, all present at the Librarywill form a large circle around the building and clasp hands of support. Theevent will be concluded by noon. It is hoped that this event will be wellpublicized and reported upon by our media system.
As you can imagine, this event needs to be well organized and coordinated.Joanne Harvey has been working on getting the necessary permits from theLansing Police Dept. She has asked for member help in continuing theseplans. She needs a right hand man or personal assistant to help with therecruiting of people, planning signs, gathering flags and buntings, makingnumerous phone calls and generally helping her with the many details that gointo such events. Please, if you can help, give Joanne a call at517-321-0945 or drop an e-mail to her at harveyfti@webtv.net
Along with the people, the circle needs definition. If you have a machinethat chalks grass, that would be a welcome service. If you have other ideasand services for the event let Joanne know. If you know how to getpublicity, now is the time to come forward with your ideas and contacts. Wemust all join together and save our Library.
More details on the Aug. 5 events of support will be sent to you as theybecome available.
Judy
Judy Levy Pfaff
Here is how to fax, call, mail Governor Granholm
http://globalgenealogy.com/globalgazette/gazsh/gazsh-0034.htm
Monday, July 20, 2009
A Ray of Hope!
For the Library of Michigan, there is a ray of hope. Some good news was passed onto me today via facebook, by a friend that the State, City of Lansing and MSU may be working together to build a new 'cultural center' type area where much of the historical stuff from the Library of Michigan as well as artifacts from the Museum from MSU to make a more self sufficient museum and cultural center. Although nothing is decided at this point, this is good news for the Library.
Here is a brief arcticle on this:
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090719/NEWS06/907190625/1102/NEWS06
Here is a brief arcticle on this:
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090719/NEWS06/907190625/1102/NEWS06
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Disappointments
Two things have happened reccently in my genealogical life that have really had a hard blow to me.
This first is that yesterday, Michigan Governer, Jennifer Granholm, signed an executive order to close the Library of Michigan. The order closes the libraries doors as of Oct 1, 2009. It also gives the libraries collections the opportunity to be aquired by other agencies and if not....they are going to be destroyed! The Library of Michigan houses Michigan's state genealogical collection. The genealogy collection has been a valuable tool for many Michigan genealogists and it is a tragdey that this valuble asset will be lost. Worst of all, the collection holds rare one-of-a-kind books and records that if destroyed they will be forever. I literally cried when I heard this news.
The executive order can be viewed at:
www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/EO36_285881_7.pdf
The second thing that happened, came about today. I frequently use the website www.findagrave.com to request photos of headstones of family and potential family members. A couple days ago I requested photos for around 8 or 9 Fitzgeralds that are in Iowa near where one of my GGGrandfather's brother moved to. When I opened the links from my email to the memorials I found that the lady who volunteered to take the photos used chalk on the stone because they "are difficult to read". When I confronted her (via email) about using something she admitted it was chalk and told me that "it only damages Limestone stones". This is not true! Also this practice is completely against Find-A-Grave's policies. I ultimately asked her not to do any more of my photo requests because I cannot condone this behavior. It made my stomach knot up when I saw this.
Remember that never to use anything but plain water and a soft brush on a headstone. Chalk, cornstarch, baby powder, shaving cream....all damages headstones in different ways. All types of stones, not just limestone. We want these stones to be around for a long time.
May your research lead to your ancestors.
Happy Hunting.
This first is that yesterday, Michigan Governer, Jennifer Granholm, signed an executive order to close the Library of Michigan. The order closes the libraries doors as of Oct 1, 2009. It also gives the libraries collections the opportunity to be aquired by other agencies and if not....they are going to be destroyed! The Library of Michigan houses Michigan's state genealogical collection. The genealogy collection has been a valuable tool for many Michigan genealogists and it is a tragdey that this valuble asset will be lost. Worst of all, the collection holds rare one-of-a-kind books and records that if destroyed they will be forever. I literally cried when I heard this news.
The executive order can be viewed at:
www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/EO36_285881_7.pdf
The second thing that happened, came about today. I frequently use the website www.findagrave.com to request photos of headstones of family and potential family members. A couple days ago I requested photos for around 8 or 9 Fitzgeralds that are in Iowa near where one of my GGGrandfather's brother moved to. When I opened the links from my email to the memorials I found that the lady who volunteered to take the photos used chalk on the stone because they "are difficult to read". When I confronted her (via email) about using something she admitted it was chalk and told me that "it only damages Limestone stones". This is not true! Also this practice is completely against Find-A-Grave's policies. I ultimately asked her not to do any more of my photo requests because I cannot condone this behavior. It made my stomach knot up when I saw this.
Remember that never to use anything but plain water and a soft brush on a headstone. Chalk, cornstarch, baby powder, shaving cream....all damages headstones in different ways. All types of stones, not just limestone. We want these stones to be around for a long time.
May your research lead to your ancestors.
Happy Hunting.
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