By Shauna Brito
The Cromaine District Library Board’s Personnel Committee — led by trustees Jeannine Gogoleski, Dawn Smith, and Kim Armstrong — recently proposed ending the library’s long‑standing practice of paying for staff memberships in the Michigan Library Association (MLA). Last year, the same conservative majority, joined by Trustees Rebecca Basley and Bill Bolin, voted to sever ties with both the American Library Association (ALA) and MLA, claiming the organizations were “leftist” and “biased.”
This decision has immediate and measurable consequences. It removes Hartland’s voice from statewide library conferences, forces Cromaine to spend two to three times more taxpayer dollars on required training, and results in a compensation cut for the Director and staff, who will now have to pay for these memberships themselves. The Board also stated it will not pursue professional training for trustees at all.
For more than a century, MLA has provided Michigan libraries with essential services: industry‑standard certifications, legal and compliance guidance, continuing education, and professional development. They provide the tools that keep public libraries operating legally, safely, and effectively. There is no alternative source for these certifications or continuing education credits.
The Board acknowledges that training must continue to avoid shuttering services, yet it has chosen the most expensive and least efficient path. Under the previous structure, Cromaine paid $2,488 annually for MLA membership covering ten librarians, the Director, and all trustees. Starting in July, each staff member must pay out of pocket — $170 per librarian and $1,311 for the Director. Training also doubles in cost without the affiliated membership. The result is an irresponsible financial decision that drains taxpayer dollars, undermines staff retention, makes recruitment more difficult, puts credentialed programming at risk, and places Cromaine far behind other Michigan libraries in competitiveness.
Trustees have suggested that withholding membership payments is meant to “send a message” to MLA. In reality, MLA is receiving more money under this arrangement. So, what is really going on here?
During their campaigns, the “Turn the Page” and “Conservatives for Cromaine” candidates emphasized restricting and censoring LGBTQ and diverse materials. Similar to groups like Moms for Liberty that accuse librarians and teachers of “grooming” children, Trustee Bolin stated in a board meeting that the library was “unduly influencing children to undergo transition surgery and treatment” simply because LGBTQ books exist on the shelves. Trustee Smith made similar claims and said staff are “leftists” who only order “leftist” books, though no evidence was provided.
At one meeting, trustees Gogoleski and Smith objected to MLA discussing Project 2025, calling it “political.” MLA’s concern is that Project 2025 includes proposals to eliminate federal library funding, weaken First Amendment protections, criminalize and punish librarians, remove professional librarian standards, and pursue political and religious control over library content. When those measures fail, library advocates warn the effect could be to shut down libraries completely.
The ALA and MLA oppose book bans and censorship, support First Amendment protections, and uphold professional ethics requiring neutrality — not religious or political control. These positions stand in direct conflict with the Board majority’s goals. Therefore, it makes sense they isolated the library from the two institutions that would help protect it from these risks.
Unfortunately, the library’s staff are caught in the crossfire of this ideological war. Regardless of community pressure, library employees are legally required to uphold federal and state laws and professional library standards that prohibit discrimination and censorship. That obligation appears to be an obstacle for the Cromaine Board. Making employment less desirable — such as taking away their professional memberships as a pay cut — seems designed to pressure out experienced qualified staff and provide an opportunity to replace them with individuals who may simply follow Board directives.
From my perspective, the Board has no credible operational or financial reasons for its decision. The motive is simply punitive and harmful to both staff and the institution and raises serious concerns of potential employment discrimination or retaliation.
Cromaine’s director and staff are highly regarded for their professionalism, excellent service, quality programming, and support to the community. They deserve Board members that support their development, respect professional standards, and abide by their fiduciary duty to make decisions that protect the institution’s financial stability and operational capacity. This decision does the opposite.
The Board will vote on MLA memberships at the June 18 meeting. Community members can share questions or concerns during the public comment period on May 21 and June 18 or submit written statements to Secretary Armstrong.
Shauna Brito lives in Brighton Township.
