October 01, 2026
WHEREAS, the Michigan Library Association (MLA) annually designates October as a statewide observance celebrating the contributions of Michigan’s public, school, academic, tribal, cooperative, and special libraries; and,
WHEREAS, in October 2026, we celebrate Michigan Library Appreciation Month and MI Right to Read Week, observed October 4–10, with the theme “LIBRARY2K26: Take Me to Your Library,” inviting Michiganders to make contact with their local libraries and discover the many ways libraries connect people to information, technology, culture, and community; and,
WHEREAS, through changing times and technologies, libraries have remained trusted places for knowledge, discovery, and learning; from the dawn of the new millennium to the age of artificial intelligence, libraries help Michiganders navigate new ways of learning, working, creating, and communicating; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s libraries provide free and equitable access to books, digital resources, technology, and educational programs, helping people of all ages build skills, explore ideas, and pursue lifelong learning; and,
WHEREAS, libraries safeguard First Amendment rights by protecting the freedom to read, inquire, learn, and access diverse ideas and information, allowing Michiganders to explore a wide range of perspectives and make informed decisions for themselves; and,
WHEREAS, libraries provide access to information created, researched, evaluated, and curated by people, giving Michiganders opportunities to read deeply, ask questions, think critically, and form their own conclusions as technology changes how information is created and shared; and,
WHEREAS, libraries strengthen communities and expand opportunity through resources such as the Michigan eLibrary (MeL), which gives every Michigan resident free access to digital books, research databases, learning tools, and other trusted information resources; and,
WHEREAS, library professionals advocate for literacy, learning, intellectual freedom, and civic engagement, helping people find reliable information, discover new ideas, and participate fully in their communities; and,
WHEREAS, in a world of constant technological change, libraries remain places to find knowledge, ideas, stories, and one another—and reminders that some of the most powerful tools for understanding the world are a good book, a curious mind, and the freedom to think for yourself; and,
WHEREAS, hundreds of libraries and millions of library supporters across Michigan will celebrate Michigan Library Appreciation Month and MI Right to Read Week this October;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of the State of Michigan, and Garlin Gilchrist II, lieutenant governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 2026 as Michigan Library Appreciation Month and October 4–10, 2026, as MI Right to Read Week. During this time, I encourage all Michiganders to celebrate their local libraries and the people who make them essential to our communities. Visit your library, bring a friend, tell a neighbor, and spread the word: Take Me to Your Library.
