A joint committee of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the National Genealogical Society, and the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies.
The Michigan Genealogical Council has provided the following status report:
February 21, 2010
Dear Fellow Genealogists:
As you may be aware, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) issued a letter on Friday, February 12, 2010, regarding the status of the Library of Michigan and it’s various collections.
On Wednesday, February 17, 2010, I met with Michigan’s State Librarian, Nancy Robertson. The reality is grim. The library is facing a 23 percent cut in funding. This cut has forced MDE to examine what collections and services the library provides, and what the core functions of a state library are as stated in Michigan law. Based on that, MDE has determined what collections/services currently housed in the library fit the identified core services and which do not. It was a difficult and painful choice for them to make. Unfortunately, it was decided that while the non-Michigan genealogical collection and the Federal Documents collection are valuable, they do not fit into the core functions of a state library, nor is it mentioned in the state’s constitution that the state must provide those collections/services. The Library is also facing a 13-person reduction in staff. They will have gone from 100 staff at its height, to 30 as of October 1, 2010.
Ms. Robertson also informed me that the library will become a non-circulating library. This means that they no longer need the second copy of items from the Michigan collection. Therefore, the second copies will go with the Genealogical collection. The items that do remain in the library’s possession will be consolidated to the 4th and 5th floors.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) has invited Council to send a representative to the meetings of the MichiganCenter for Innovation and Reinvention Board (MCIR) as an observer, and we have been informed that we will be allowed to have limited time for comment. Dr. Frank Boles, Director of the Clarke Historical Library at CentralMichiganUniversity, a respected professional in the librarian and historical communities, has agreed to represent Council and the genealogy community as our spokesperson.
During times of crises, a process needs to be followed. The first step is information gathering, the second is evaluation, the third is negotiations, and the fourth is action. The MGC is currently working on gathering and evaluating information. While we understand that the community is outraged, we ask that everyone remain calm and let our spokesperson, Dr. Frank Boles communicate with the MCIR Board that is involved in the potential uses of the HistoricalCenter.
Many alternative scenarios have been mentioned; however, MGC’s goals are that the collections remain under one roof and under state control. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact MGC at migencouncil@att.net.
Thank you for your patience during this time of turmoil. We will continue to keep you updated as events unfold.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Grostick, President
Michigan Genealogical Council
With the start of the New Year, all genealogists and RPAC State Liaisons should be vigilant in watching for new legislation affecting the access and the preservation of the nations records of genealogical value. Over the next few weeks, legislatures will introduce a series of bills that may impact genealogists, either positively or negatively. We want to both support positive legislation with our communications of support and make our voices heard when we seen instances of legislation that may put records or access at risk.
Many newspapers print summaries of the bills submitted. You may also go to your legislative websites and look at the bills being introduced.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION: To work together in the genealogical community, if you observe legislation that affects us, please alert the RPAC through your State Liaison, or directly if a State Liaison has not yet been appointed.
We are still actively seeking State Liaisons for a number of states and would welcome any recommendations you may have. We will then contact them and see if they are willing to serve.
In the early fall, regular patrons of Archives I on the DC Mall began to hear of proposals to convert existingresearch areas of that vital facility into museum exhibits and gift shop expansion.Concerns were heightened by the fact that planning for this project was progressing with no apparent effort to seek input from affected staff or users.
Representatives of the Archives I Users Group and the local chapter of APG (Marie Melchiori and Claire Bettag) were among the first to bring the issue to the attention of the genealogical community.
A channel was opened to the professional staff of the Information Policy, Census and National Archives Subcommittee, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee,the entity exercising oversight of the activities of the National Archives.This was accomplished primarily through the efforts of Jan Meisels Allen in her capacity as a Director of IAJGS and a key member of the Records Preservation and Access Committee.The committee chose to have a representative of the genealogical community testify at an oversight hearing on 16 December 2009 entitled “HistoryMuseum or Records Access Agency?Defining and Fulfilling the Mission of the National Archives and Records Administration.”Jan Alpert, in her capacity as President of NGS was chosen to testify.
Jan’s written and oral statements were coordinated with RPAC and are found at the Subcommittee web page listed below. Additional statements for the record by Jan Allen (IAJGS) and David Rencher as Chair of RPAC were also developed. David Rencher’s statement prepared for the record is at the link at the beginning of this entry. Jan Allen’s materials are found at the IAJGS web site at: http://www.iajgs.org/ at the “Latest Alerts” link.
The hearing consisted of two panels.The first consisted of David S. Ferriero, newly confirmed as the tenth Archivist of the United States as well as the heads of the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress.The second panel included representatives of various public interest groups as well as our representative.
The contributions of IAJGS and RPAC were specifically acknowledged in the Chairman’s opening remarks as well as those of other not specifically identified genealogical groups.
Largely as a product of the activities leading up to this hearing, NARA held an “Open Forum” the day after the hearing inviting public input.The Archivist has announced an intention to conduct at least an additional session before proceeding with the development of the original proposal.
As of 1 Sep 2009, the Executive Summary of the RPAC White Paper entitled “Open Access to Public Records: A Genealogical Perspective” was updated to more accurately reflect the purposes for which the white paper was developed last Spring.
The full White Paper originally posted on 26 Feb 2009 has been updated to reflect this change.
The link immediately above is to a two page document containing the cover page and the updated Executive Summary.
Permission is granted for genealogical organizations to locally reproduce in its entirety the attached PDF version of the Executive Summary.
The RPAC petition drive in support of the library of Michigan garnered nearly 7000 signatures before we closed it on the 1st of October. We may yet arrange a brief ceremony to deliver a printed version of the petition to the Governor’s office, even though her representatives have been made aware of its progress and had access to the online version for some time. Thoughtful and impassioned comments from signers may be reviewed at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/RPAC2009/petition.html.
In addressing a $2 Billion deficit in the Michigan budget, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm issued an executive order in July which would abolish the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Executive Order 2009-36. Among the proposals then on the table was one that contemplated that the collections of the Library of Michigan would be scattered and the building built and designed to house the state library would be renovated to house a new function.
To her credit, the Governor has acknowledged the value of these collections. Subsequent directives and executive orders (Executive Directive No. 2009-5 & Executive Order 2009-43) have taken steps toward preserving the integrity of these treasured records in the building designed to house them for generations to come but one overwhelming issue remains.
Revenues must yet be found sufficient to fund the operations of the Library of Michigan and associated activities in that facility. This process will require agonizing decisions on the part of the governor and every member of the legislature. Although a temporary appropriations bill preserves a semblance of normal operations through the end of October, the ultimate outcome is still uncertain. Across the board, painful cuts may yet be required. Students and scholars, genealogists, historians and archivists anxiously await the results.
The latest developments can be found on the website of the Michigan Genealogical Council at www.mimgc.org/LOM.html.
Within the genealogical community, the Library of Michigan has long been recognized as one of the premier state libraries in the country.
The cohesive Library of Michigan collection with over 180 years of Michigan history, literature and culture records and reflects the lives of not only those who remained to raise their families within the state but of millions more whose migration to other parts of the country left their footprints in the soil and records generated by their passage. Visitors come from all across the country to research at the Library of Michigan.
In addressing a $2 Billion deficit in the Michigan budget, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm issued an executive order in July which would abolish the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.As originally proposed, the collections of the Library of Michigan would be scattered and the building built and designed to house the state library would be renovated to house a new function.
In meetings held during the Federation of Genealogical Societies/ Arkansas Genealogical Society Annual Conference in Little Rock this past week, the Records Preservation and Access Committee representatives have initiated a petition drive in support of the Library of Michigan.. This is the first time we have exercised this option since 2006, something of an indicator of the seriousness with which the genealogical community views this situation.
The RPAC petition became available for signature on Sunday, the 6th of September.We will close the petition drive on the 1st of October, the date the governor’s order is scheduled to take effect.The earlier one signs, the greater the impact.
Although the prospects for reversing this action are remote, we would not want it to be said that a state library can be closed without its users caring (or for other governors to think it a politically expedient thing to do.)
Genealogists from within and without Michigan are encouraged to sign the online petition found at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/RPAC2009/petition.html.We then ask that you urge the members of every society of which you are a member to do likewise.
Additional background and the latest developments can be found at the web site of the Michigan Genealogical Council at: www.mimgc.org/LOM.html . They may also suggest legislators to whom individual letters might be addressed at appropriate points in the legislative process.
In meetings held during the Federation of Genealogical Societies/ Arkansas Genealogical Society Annual Conference in Little Rock this past week, the Records Preservation and Access Committee has initiated a petition drive in support of the Library of Michigan.
Additional background and the latest developments can be found at the web site of the Michigan Genealogical Council at:www.mimgc.org/LOM.html .They may also suggest legislators to whom individual letters might be addressed at appropriate points in the legislative process.
The following update has been provided by the Michigan Genealogical Council:
This is just a brief e-mail to bring everyone up to date on the events of the past few days regarding the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries (HAL), the Executive Order, the Library of Michigan, two resolutions, one originating in the Senate and the other in the House.
Wednesday, the Governor issued Executive Directive 5. This was supposed to clarify her Executive Order of July 13. As far as the Genealogical Collection at the Library of Michigan is concerned, this changed NOTHING. The collection is still subject to being transferred and spread out over several different institutions. While re-affirming interlibrary loan, this clarification does not restore interlibrary loan to the Michigan Collection or the Library of Michigan.
Wednesday the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism recommended the passage of SB 503-527 which was a package of bills sponsored by several different senators placing the administration of HAL under the Department of State, rather than spreading it across several state departments – Education, Natural Resources, etc… In addition, there was a Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, to disapprove of the Executive Order 2009-36 dissolving the HAL. Each item in the bill package and the Resolution was approved by a 3 to 1 vote with one absent to be sent to the Senate for a full vote.
Thursday, the full Senate voted on the items described above, the most complete article we have come across so far is in the Detroit Free Press. http://www.freep.com/article/20090827/NEWS15/90827027/1322/Senate-rejects-Granholm-s-plan-to-abolish-history-department. An earlier e-mail list had one vote different. The final tally according the Free Press report and reports from the Associated Press, which has appeared on several newspaper and broadcast websites is 22 yeas, 13 nays, and 2 not voting. Of special note, two Democratic Senators voted with the majority of the Senators to make this possible.
There is also a resolution in the House, introduced by Rep. Rick Jones – who spoke at our rally on August 5. He has several co-sponsors from each party. While this resolution does not carry the force of law, its passage would send the Governor a strong message of disapproval.
Thank you to all who wrote a letter, visited their legislator, sent an e-mail or made a phone call. There is still much to be done, we still need to urge our Representatives to vote in favor of the Senate Concurrent Resolution. We also favor the Senate Bill package that would place all of the parts of HAL under the Secretary of State, because they have all worked well together in the nine years HAL has been in existence, especially the Library and Archives, the best example being www.seekingmichigan.org. The vote in the House of Representatives will be much more difficult than the Senate. We still have much work to do!
Don’t forget our annual Workshop at the Library of Michigan on September 19. The schedule and registration form is available at http://mimgc.org/pdf/2009MGCSeminar.pdf
Thank you again for your help, we could not have done it without you,
The Michigan Genealogical Council is distributing the following request for legislative contact:
Senator Cameron Brown has introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, which if passed by a 2/3 majority in the State Senate and 2/3 majority in the State House would reject Governor Granholm’s Executive Order 2009-36 abolishing the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries.This would also repudiate the proposed Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention proposed in this same Executive Order. We need your help, please continue to contact your State Senator, and especially your Representative. This is still an uphill battle and time is running short. The 60-day window from July 13 for the State Legislature to reject this Order is rapidly coming to a close, July 13 + 60 days = September 11.
Please stress in your communication with our Legislators the importance of keeping over 180 years of Michigan history, literature and culture together in one cohesive Library of Michigan collection. If this permitted to be dissipated, it will never be reassembled.Visitors come from all across the country to research at the Library of Michigan. Please STRESS the importance of passing SCR 18. Make your voice heard NOW. Send your 911 letters, emails, or visits to your State Legislators today!
In addition, Senate Bills 503-527 is a twenty-five bill package, which would transfer all responsibilities for the current Department of History, Arts, and Libraries to the Secretary of State, rather than splitting the parts among several state agencies. For a brief analysis of these bills, visit http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2009-SFA-0503-S.pdf.
The following are members of the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee. They are meeting Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. in Lansing. These Senators will make their recommendation to the full Senate on SCR 18 and SB503-527. Please contact these Senators as well.
With thanks to Jan Meisels Allen for the following update on Pennsylvania legislation:
> Pennsylvania Open Records Act
>
> The newly enacted (2008) Open Records Act became effective January 1,
> 2009.
> The law declared that all state, county, and local government records
> are public unless specifically exempted. The law created a new Office
> of Open Records for Pennsylvania
> http://openrecords.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt To get more
> information IAJGS contacted the senior attorney for the new department
> and learned the charges per page ($0.25 maximum) do NOT apply to
> marriage and death records and due to other established law, birth
> and adoption records are NOT covered under the new law.
>
> From an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, April 11, 2009 it
> appears that Governor Rendell’s administration is going out of its way
> to block public access to government documents. The article quoted a
> letter from Commissioner Mutchler to the governor “Some agencies …
> are using the Right-to-Know law as a shield with which to block
> information rather than a tool with which to open records of
> government.”
>
> The Office of Open Records in Pennsylvania on a case brought by a
> genealogist who brought suit through the Office of Open Records
> against the Philadelphia Marriage Bureau for their charging $20-$30
> per record, charging for looking at a record, preventing use of a
> digital camera, and limiting the number of records one may request at
> a time. The case was decided July 31, 2009, and the plaintiff won on
> some points and lost on others–per the Office of Open Records the
> Philadelphia Marriage Bureau may only charge $2.00 per page plus $2.00
> for certification, the Registrar may not charge to view the
> record, no digital camera may be used to copy the records, the City
> conceded on the number of requests at one time. Currently the City
> would only provide certified copies and used that as part of the
> reason for their high charges. The City of Philadelphia has notified
> the parties that they will appeal their loss of the case in both in
> both the Common Pleas and Commonwealth Courts. While the case is being
> appealed the decision is in limbo. To read the decision go to:
> http://openrecords.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/open_records
> /4434/final_determinations/481690
>
>
> Pennsylvania HB563
>
> This bill requires the Department of Health to prepare an electronic
> database for all vital records. It would also require the transfer of
> all birth and death records after 100 years to the Pennsylvania
> Historical and Museum Commission. The bill is sitting in its original
> committee as of this posting no hearings have been scheduled.
>
> Pennsylvania HB 931
>
> This bill would establish an Internet-based electronic death
> registration system for creation, storage and transfer of the
> information. It would also establish, for birth and death records, to
> become public records and the information would become available at no
> fee, on an Internet-system maintained by the Department of Health.
> The Department of Health would be required to establish and maintain
> an Internet based-system for birth and death certificates as a
> searchable database open to the public. The database would be subject
> to any limitation on access and release required by other existing
> laws. In addition, the Department of Health would establish and
> maintain a searchable index database of all death records between 2-50
> years of age.
> A
> similar bill was introduced last year with no hearings held. RPAC has
> agreed to send a letter of support to Governor Rendell and key
> legislators on this bill.
>
To advise the genealogical community on ensuring proper access to historical records of genealogical value in whatever media they are recorded, on means to affect legislation, and on supporting strong records preservation policies and practices.