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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Have you heard of the Aspen Institute?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Across the country communities are using their public libraries in unique and exciting ways. From Makerspaces and robots to Farmers’ Markets , libraries are transforming to meet
the changing needs of their communities and continuing to serve as the center of learning and knowledge creation.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The Aspen Institute describes a “new world of knowledge”, with the public library serving as a “vital learning institution and engine for individual, community, and civil society
development.” While each of our communities will approach this new era differently, there are common benchmarks that can be utilized to ensure that the public library remains “the essential civil society space where this new America will make its democratic
character.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">For more information, visit the Library of Michigan
<a href="http://w3.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/0,2351,7-160-18668_58063_78067---,00.html">
website</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://w3.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/0,2351,7-160-18668_58063_78067---,00.html">http://w3.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/0,2351,7-160-18668_58063_78067---,00.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Evette M. Atkin<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Continuing Education Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Statewide Library Services<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Library of Michigan<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="mailto:atkine@michigan.gov"><font color="#0563c1"><span style="color:#0563C1">atkine@michigan.gov</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">517.373.3746<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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