The Canton Public Library was recently awarded a certificate of completion for meeting the Essential Level requirements of the Quality Services Audit Checklist (QSAC) by the Library of Michigan.

QSAC has defined "essential services" — the basics of all library service — as relatively low-cost standards that every library can and should achieve. The Canton Public Library has demonstrated competence in seven categories including human resources, governance/administration, services, collection development, technology, facilities and equipment, and public relations/marketing.

The Seeking Michigan website is a wealth of information for genealogists and Michigan history buffs! There are over 1,000,000 death records from 1897-1920, WPA property inventories, governor histories and much, much more. Plus, it's easy and fun to use. If you are seeking a wonderful Michigan website, be sure to check out this one!

There's still room in the Genealogy Online class on October 13th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Gloriane Peck, a genealogy librarian from the Library of Michigan, will be instructing. Come and explore your roots with our databases and an expert!

On September 10, library supporters will rally at the State Capitol in Lansing to encourage legislators to save the Library of Michigan and the important shared statewide resources, such as MeL databases and MeLCat interlibrary loan, that Canton Public Library users value. The rally will start at 9:30AM and supporters are asked to wear red shirts to show their support for statewide joint services.

The Governor's Executive Order dismantles the Department of History, Arts & Libraries and places the services of the Library of Michigan — both physical and online collections — in jeopardy. State funding and federal matching funds for MeLCat interlibrary loan and 25 MeL databases are at stake; due to the local economy and cuts to local funding associated with the recession, the Canton Public Library does not have the funds to pay for interlibrary loan or online genealogical, historical, or reference products if the state legislature does not act to maintain statewide library services — Canton residents would lose access to these resources.

The Governor's Executive Order No. 2009-36 abolishes the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries as of October 1, 2009, and public libraries across the state of Michigan are concerned about how this will impact our services to you. These statewide cuts are in addition to the local cuts being made due to the recession, and are a double hit for Canton. The Michigan Library Association has issued a press release outlining the concerns public libraries throughout Michigan have with the Governor's plan as well as a position paper outlining the chilling effect the dissolution will have on statewide resource sharing, including interlibrary loan and research materials. A fact sheet is available that explains how these joint services are funded through state appropriations and federal matching funds. The Executive Order takes effect October 1, 2009, unless the legislature acts to create an alternative plan. Our hope is that our elected representatives in Michigan will recognize the importance of statewide library services and resource sharing that public libraries provide, and how we help our communities with job seeking, information gathering, computer access, and cultural activities.

Are you an avid genealogist who likes to keep up on current genealogy in Michigan? The friendly librarians at the Library of Michigan publish the Michigan Genealogist newsletter quarterly, and it's a wealth of information! The current issue features the upcoming Abrams Genealogy seminar, historic newspapers, and more!