Five years ago, the Taubman Health Sciences Library at U-M initiated Michigan Libraries for Life, a campaign designed to inspire more people to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry.
Today the campaign has become a statewide effort, encompassing public as well as academic and hospital libraries, and this year boasts 102 participating institutions. Since its inception, Michigan Libraries for Life has inspired 2,450 people to sign up as organ, tissue, and eye donors.
more information
- Learn more and view a state map showing participating libraries.
- Join the donor registry online, by calling 866-500-5801, or at any Secretary of State office.
“This program is successful because libraries are a trusted source of information, and they make it easy to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry,” explained Kate Saylor, U-M Library informationist and lead organizer of the event.
The program is a partnership with Gift of Life Michigan, the state’s federally designated organ recovery organization, which acts as intermediary between donors, physicians and hospital staff.
“This campaign provides hope to every one of the 3,400 Michigan patients waiting for an organ transplant,” said Gift of Life CEO Richard Pietroski.
This year Michigan Libraries for Life is receiving the Platinum Pinnacle Award as one of the top outreach programs in the country by Donate Life America, an alliance of national organizations and state teams promoting organ donation.
The donor drive runs from October 5-11. Campus dates, times, and locations are as follows:
• Oct.6, 10 a.m.-3p.m. — Taubman Health Sciences Library
• Oct. 7, 10 a.m.-3p.m. — Taubman Health Sciences Library
• Oct. 7, 10 a.m.-3p.m. — Lobby (Bert’s Study Lounge), Shapiro Library
• Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-3p.m. — North Lobby, Hatcher Graduate Library
Kate Saylor
The final count for participating libraries was 123! We are still tallying results, but they will be posted on our website librariesforlife.org once we are done.