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Opinion | Public libraries belong to everyone. Let’s keep them that way
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Walk into any public library in Michigan, and you’ll see it: a teenager curled up in the graphic novel section, a parent helping a child sound out their first words, an older adult using the computer to send an email to a grandchild. Different people, different needs, all sharing the same space.
That’s the beauty of a public library: it belongs to everyone. And in Michigan, people overwhelmingly value that. In a recent statewide poll, nearly 8 in 10 residents said they approve of the job their local libraries are doing, with strong support across the political spectrum.
We believe that’s because people understand what’s at stake. The right to choose what you read is a freedom worth protecting. The freedom to read means that you, not someone else, get to decide which stories, ideas and perspectives are right for you.
Censorship threatens that freedom. It is not about protection; it’s about control. And it often targets the very voices we most need to hear, those whose stories have too often been silenced. When a book disappears from a shelf, we lose more than a title. We lose a chance to see ourselves reflected in a narrative, or to better understand someone whose life is different from our own.
Books are more than entertainment; they are tools for empathy, education, and empowerment. They challenge assumptions, spark curiosity and give us the courage to see the world differently. And when we restrict that access, we don’t just limit what’s on shelves. We limit what’s possible for our state. The stories of all Michiganders matter, and so does their curiosity.
Most Michigan residents share that belief. Half now say books should never be banned, and eight out of 10 Michiganders support the way public libraries already organize books by age-relevance and developmental-appropriateness.
That trust is critical. Librarians don’t make collection decisions lightly. We draw on years of training and professional standards, driven by the mission to serve everyone in our communities. Our role is to help. Whether you’re seeking a how-to manual, a novel that challenges your thinking or a picture book that feels like home, we’re here to guide you to it.
We also know that not every library can own every book. That’s why services like the Michigan eLibrary (MeL), which gives every resident free access to millions of books, articles, and online databases, and MeLCat, which lets you borrow materials from nearly any library in the state, are essential. These services ensure that even the smallest library can connect you to a world of information.
But trust and approval alone aren’t enough to safeguard the freedom to read. Right now, public libraries in Michigan are under attack, facing organized efforts to remove books and intimidate library workers. These attempts run counter to what most residents believe: that public libraries should reflect the whole community, not just the loudest voices.
When we lose that principle, we lose something bigger than any single book. We lose the shared understanding that everyone’s story is important and has value.
That’s why we’re asking you to join the more than 2,500 Michiganians who have already signed the petition to Protect MI Right to Read. This effort calls on Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature to affirm our First Amendment rights, protect library workers, and safeguard statewide library resources like MeL and MeLCat.
You can add your name today at mirighttoread.com/sign.
When we protect the freedom to read, we’re not just preserving access to books. We’re protecting our ability to explore, to question, to grow, and ultimately, the freedom to be ourselves.
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