This blog post is by Dillon Geshel, Interim Executive Director at the Michigan Library Association, a Unite Against Book Bans partner.
Over the summer, the Michigan Library Association commissioned a statewide survey on library issues, which follows a similar poll we conducted in 2023. Like many states, Michigan began to see a surge in politically motivated material challenges in late 2021. Our polling work explored the extent to which Michiganders supported their libraries during contentious times.
New Poll Offers a Snapshot of Public Sentiment
Results from our 2025 polling work confirmed growing statewide resistance to censorship efforts targeting library collections. They also showed a significant increase in strong support for public libraries since 2023. Key findings included:
- 79% approve of Michigan libraries’ work (up from 71% in 2023)
- 75% trust librarians’ collection decisions
- 50% now say books should never be banned (flipped from a 42% plurality in 2023)
- 84% support current library policies of age-relevant shelving
- Only 4% blame libraries for children accessing objectionable content
Our Communities Value and Trust Libraries
These findings serve as a powerful reminder in communities facing challenges that the loudest voices in the room do not represent most people in our state. The public trusts their librarians, values the right to read, and believes that all people deserve to see themselves and their neighbors reflected on library shelves.
Complete Results, Regional Summaries, and Applications for Advocacy
The full polling results can be found on MLA’s website, alongside 11 regional summaries detailing how Michiganders responded across different library cooperative systems in the state. Some of the polling data is also helping to inform our advocacy to Congress about the need to continue funding for IMLS. For example, 78% of respondents said that IMLS funding from the federal government should remain part of the federal budget.
With positive polling results in hand, the Michigan Library Association kicked off a new statewide campaign to mobilize residents to defend the right to read. In July, we announced the Protect Mi Right to Read Petition, which urges Michigan’s Governor, legislators and elected officials to:
- Uphold the First Amendment right to access information and reject censorship
- Trust librarians as trained, professional guides to age-relevant content
- Ensure public libraries reflect the full range of community voices
- Increase support for State Aid to Libraries and other statewide library services in the Michigan budget
By the end of October, we’ll deliver the 3,500+ signatures to the Michigan legislature and the governor’s office to encourage them to support the vital work done in our libraries across the state. If you reside in Michigan, you can add your signature by visiting https://www.mirighttoread.com/sign.
