MichiganRadio

Funding for Michigan eLibrary in Jeopardy ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) - Any type of library in the state can use the Michigan eLibrary, or MEL. You can use it to borrow books and DVDS. Teachers can use it to search for grade-specific lesson plans.

It saves the state $72 million to share resources using MEL. It costs $5 million to run it.

Gretchen Couraud runs the Michigan Library Association. She says the federal government foots the bill for now, but:

"We got a waiver from the fed saying you're not fulfilling your obligation as a state to fund libraries. We're going to give you a pass this year, but we may not give you a pass next year."

The state cut library funding down to $6 million last year. In order to continue getting federal money, state funding needs to be around $10 million.

Contact Jennifer Guerra at guerraj@umich.edu

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