Awesome Millage Mondays

Michigan Public Libraries are required to be funded locally, by the communities they serve. Generally that means a millage. A millage means a millage campaign. This 5-part weekly webinar series will provide information and resources on the millage process- from how to determine whether to go for a millage and how much to request, to the laws surrounding the millage process, campaign limitations, yes groups, and tackling tough community questions.

Session I: April 6, 2026, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
MI Library funding & Millage basics (What is a millage? How much should you ask for? How much revenue will a millage yield?) Featuring Clare Membiela & Joe Hamlin, Library of Michigan

Session II: April 13, 2026, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Promoting Your Millage Through Data - How to "campaign" for your millage legally through factual infographics. Featuring Joe Hamlin, Library of Michigan

Session III: April 20, 2026, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Ensuring Legal Compliance - How to Navigate the Millage Process. Featuring Anne Seurynck, Attorney, Foster, Swift, Collins and Smith

Session IV: April 27, 2026, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
YES Committee Basics - Formation and Activities. Featuring Shirley Bruursema, Library Board and Millage Consultant.

Session V: May 4, 2026, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Communicating With Your Community - Addressing Difficult Questions. Featuring a diverse panel of Michigan Library stakeholders representing library directors, library cooperatives and MLA who will offer advice, experiences and perspectives on navigating a successful millage process -including addressing difficult questions and engaging patrons who are millage-adverse.

Instructor information:
Clare Membiela, Library Law Consultant, Library of Michigan
Joe Hamlin, Library Data, State Aid & Penal Fines Coordinator, Library of Michigan
Anne Seurynck, Attorney, Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith Law Firm
Shirley Bruusema, Library Board and Millage Consultant and Former Chair of the Kent District Library Board.
Megan Rose, Director, Dickenson County Library, and Librray of Michigan Board Member
Dillon Geshel, Executive Director, Michigan Library Association
Kate Pohjola Andrade, Executive Director, Woodlands Library Cooperative

The five-part series will be recorded and available at the conclusion of the full series.

The webinar link will be emailed to registrants the day before the webinar begins. You only need to register once to receive links to attend all 5 sessions.