MiALA board statement regarding COVID-19
Message from the Michigan Academic Library Association Board
Governor Whitmer released Executive Order 2020-9 which states that beginning on Monday, March 16 at 3pm, all Michigan libraries (public and academic) have been directed to close through March 30th. In addition, the American Library Association Executive Board (ALA) released a statement recommending closing all libraries to the public, while paying employees during this time of closure.
The Board Members of Michigan Academic Library Association wish all our members to stay safe during this time and exercise their best judgement in the midst of Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders and ALA’s recommendations. We are living in unprecedented times, and as we all know, each day, each minute, brings new information to light of this global health crisis. We must all do our part to help limit the spread of this virus. The Governor’s Executive Order does not prohibit an employee from entering, exiting, using or occupying the library in their professional capacity. It does however restrict the public from entering. Each library will need to make individual decisions about how to best protect their staff while offering remote or virtual services and setting up guidelines for what they can offer while the doors are closed to the public.
In order to best serve our members, we wish to remind everyone that our organization is not shut down, and if our Interest Groups or Committees wish to meet virtually, we will continue to offer those services. We can still offer virtual professional development opportunities, if you have an idea please do not hesitate to contact us.
Stay safe!