FROM: Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
DATE: August 26, 2009
SUBJECT: Implementation of Executive Order 2009-36
Department of History, Arts, and Libraries
On July 13, 2009, I issued Executive Order 2009-36 ("the Order") which will abolish the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries and will consolidate its functions among various other Departments that already perform similar or related functions to assure a more efficient and effective organization of the executive branch of state government. The principal purpose and intent of the Order is twofold: to achieve essential cost savings while, to the extent feasible consistent with diminishing state revenues, preserving both the integrity of, and public access to, the vital collections and other public resources currently managed by the Department.
The Order is, by its terms, effective October 1, 2009 and, until September 11, 2009, remains subject to a 60-day review period under Section 2 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963. In the interim, to assure the achievement of the vital objectives of this Order, I am directing departments and agencies affected by the Order to begin preparations for implementation of the Order on October 1, 2009. Accordingly, I direct:
A. Pursuant to Section II.B.8. of the Order, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with the cooperation and assistance of the Acting Director of the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries, shall immediately begin investigating potential cost-saving measures, including those specified in Section II.B.8. that promise to reduce expenditures while protecting the core mission of the library. The guiding purpose of any and all such measures, consistent with the purpose and intent of the Order, shall be to strike a careful and prudent balance between the goal of achieving efficient administration and necessary cost savings and that of preserving and maintaining public access to the library's collections and resources. When implementing the Order, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with the assistance of the Acting Director of the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries and the State Librarian, shall do all of the following:
1. Prioritize the expenditure of reduced state revenue to provide services that affect libraries and their patrons throughout this state, including continued support for, and availability of, the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) and MelCat, the statewide online catalog and resource sharing system.
2. Continue support for the cost savings and effective delivery of statewide library services achieved through the leadership of the Library of Michigan and the collaboration and resource sharing of libraries throughout this state.
3. Maintain open and free access to the collections of the Library of Michigan, including, but not limited to, the genealogy collection. Any effort to transfer library collections, including transfers to other libraries, shall assure continued open and free access to the collections by the public.
B. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall take initial steps, in cooperation with the Civil Service Commission if necessary, to designate a qualified employee of the Department of Education to serve as the state librarian effective October 1, 2009, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable. While the Order eliminates the politically-appointed position of state librarian, maintaining a state librarian position is important for the influence and stature of the library community within state government and recognizes the value of library resources to the People of the State of Michigan.
C. Pursuant to Section II.H.7. of the Order, the Director of the Department of Natural Resources, with the cooperation and assistance of the Acting Director of the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries, shall immediately begin investigating potential cost-saving measures, including those specified in that Section, that promise to reduce expenditures while protecting the core mission of the museum and related functions transferred to the Department of Natural Resources under Section II.H of the Order. The guiding purpose of any and all such measures, consistent with the purpose and intent of the Order, shall be to strike a careful and prudent balance between the goal of achieving efficient administration and necessary cost savings and that of preserving and maintaining public access to the museum's collections and resources.
D. Departments and agencies shall forward to the Governor's Director of Appointments recommendations of qualified individuals for service on the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention Board created under Section IV of the Order. The Board will, among other tasks, consider potential ideas to preserve and maximize the benefits to the public of existing state library and historical resources including collections, buildings, and skilled personnel. Qualified individuals recommended for consideration for appointment to the Board should include librarians, historians, archivists and others with relevant expertise.
Your assistance will ensure a smooth transition for the implementation of the Order. Thank you in advance for your attention to this effort in this time of severe fiscal constraints.
This Directive is effective upon issuance.
______________________________
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
GOVERNOR
