By AP
LANSING, MI – Gov. Jennifer Granholm has closed the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries.
The department's functions will be handled by other state departments under an executive order the Democratic governor signed Monday. She announced her plan to close the department in her February budget proposal.
Michigan now has 17 state departments.
Granholm on Monday also announced potential plans for the Michigan Library and Historical Center in downtown Lansing.
She is establishing a board to look at transforming the library into a high-tech center in partnership with Michigan State University, the city of Lansing and others.