MLA’s “Primary Source” is an exclusive, first-hand account of the latest news and announcements from the staff of the Michigan Library Association.
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A new fiscal year, which begins on July 1, is coming up fast and MLA is again preparing to look over our strategic plan, priorities and direction. I know you will all agree that our world has changed quite drastically, and the library profession must address challenges that a few short years ago were nowhere on our radar. What was important yesterday, may now be irrelevant. Challenges that once were thought solved…back on the plate.
In 2019, the MLA Board adopted a new mission, and a new vision statement that we continue to believe are relevant, address the needs of the field, and address the achievements of MLA.
MLA’s mission – The Michigan Library Association will lead the advancement of all libraries through advocacy, education and engagement.
MLA’s vision – The Michigan Library Association is an indispensable resource and valued leader, partner and advocate for Michigan libraries.
These statements guide our work. At the same time, we also took time to develop a robust and deep-rooted set of guiding principles and beliefs - diving deep to find commonly held “truths” that define our culture and beliefs. Our way of working is equally important as what we do. If we are to be effective, we must protect and advocate for these guiding principles in all that we undertake – and right now, our world demands it of us. Read more
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MLA Recognized with Two Awards! |
We are proud to share that MLA has won the Michigan Humanities Outstanding Humanities Organization Award!
The Michigan Humanities Outstanding Humanities Organization recognizes organizations, corporate funders, foundations, and organizational partners that have made a lasting contribution over time (five years or more) to the cultural life of their communities or our state through their active support of and involvement in promoting public humanities.
Thank you to the MLA Board and members for helping us achieve such an honor! This is outstanding news and we are so appreciative of the work of Michigan Humanities and grateful to be recognized.
We are also proud to share that MLA has won the 2023 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award!
The Hodges Award recognizes an organization that has developed a strong multi-year, ongoing program or a single, one-year project that exemplifies support for intellectual freedom, patron confidentiality, and anti-censorship efforts.
Special thank you to the MLA Advocacy Committee and the Intellectual Freedom Taskforce, and all of our engaged members and advocates who are standing up for the right to read! Read the news release.
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Welcome to MLA's New Social Media Strategist Intern |
Earlier this month, the MLA staff welcomed Thejas Varma to the MLA team as our Summer Semester 2023 Social Media Strategist Intern.
Thejas is a rising senior at the University of Michigan. He is majoring in Communication and Media with a minor in English. During his spare time, he enjoys walking around Ann Arbor, listening to music, or perusing digital articles on niche topics.
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MLA 2023 Ambassador Orientation |
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MLA Ambassadors: watch your email! You will receive workgroup and committee placement and orientation information next week! |
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MLA Ambassadors will receive notification of their workgroup and committee placement on June 1. Thank you to all of those who have volunteered to be ambassadors of MLA and share their experience and expertise with the entire library community.
We will be holding a virtual ambassador orientation on Zoom on Wednesday, June 14, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM to go over the basics of your work with us. Ambassadors will also receive training on MLA's Code of Conduct. Mark your calendars – we hope to see you all there!
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2023 MLA Equity Fund Grants |
The 2023 MLA Equity Fund Grant application is open through June 2, 2023. Equity Fund Grants aim to reduce financial barriers to professional development opportunities, support individuals currently underrepresented in the library profession, and uplift the professional development of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, North African, and Middle Eastern individuals. Funds provide resources to be used for memberships, attendance at workshops, educational events, or conferences of the applicants’ choosing, or for other purposes that applicants believe increase their ability to impact and transform the library profession.
The 2023 MLA Equity Fund Grants will be awarded for activities occurring between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Requests of up to $1,000 will be considered. Partial funding of a request is possible. Not all applicants will be funded.
The application form will be open through Friday, June 2, 2023, at 5:00 PM. Download the MLA Equity Fund Guidelines for complete details. Submit completed application packets using the online form. Please help us share this individual grant opportunity by sharing this information with colleagues and staff who are not currently MLA members. Learn more and apply at milibraries.org/mla-equity-fund
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Check out MLA's Bill Tracker to view a full list of legislation that the Advocacy and Legislative Committee is watching.
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What Do Michiganders Really Think? MLA Public Opinion Survey on Public Libraries And Book Banning |
In March 2023, the Michigan Library Association contracted with EPIC-MRA, a full-service survey research firm with expertise in Public Opinion Surveys and Market Research Studies to conduct a statewide survey on library issues. While we have been using national studies to prove that book banning and censorship issues are not tolerated by the majority of voters in the country, we now have solid Michigan data to back this up.
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Michigan Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference |
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Every six months economic forecasters come together to project revenues for the State of Michigan upon which the next fiscal year budget is created. On May 19, these forecasters predicted that revenues will be lower than what was predicted last January, due in part to purposeful policy plans implemented by the Whitmer administration including major tax relief policies and business incentives, and an income tax cut.
The group of economic leaders estimated that this year’s net revenue forecast will be $31.5 billion, which is $883 million lower than it estimated at its first meeting of the year in January. In 2024, Friday’s consensus set net revenue estimates to $31.1 billion – $1.8 billion less than estimated in January. By 2025, the group estimated the net revenue will be $32.2 billion, a $1.6 billion drop from its January estimate.
Michigan was looking at ending the current budget year with a roughly $9 billion surplus. Now, State Budget Director Chris Harkins estimates that the surplus will be closer to $7.5 billion. Even with these forecasts, the state is in a good position and Michigan’s economy will maintain momentum.
House and Senate leaders and the Whitmer administration will take these projections to the negotiating table and create their final budget that will take effect on October 1. Between now and July 1, a bipartisan legislative committee will be formed to iron out differences between the proposed budgets from the House, Senate and Governor in the coming weeks.
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ACLU Sends Clear Message to Lapeer County Prosecutor:...
The ACLU of Michigan today sent a letter to Lapeer County Prosecutor John D. Miller warning him that public statements he has made against Lapeer Librarian Amy Churchill for refusing to remove the award-winning book Gender Queer: A Memoir from...
Read more
aclumich.org
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Intellectual Freedom Resources |
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MI Right to Read is an MLA initiative coordinated through the leadership of the Intellectual Freedom Task Force to protect the right to read in Michigan. Visit MIRighttoRead.com today to join the coalition and take the pledge to protect every Michigander's right to read.
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Did you know that MLA’s Intellectual Freedom Toolkit contains a variety of templates and sample documents you can use at your library, including letters sent by other Michigan libraries responding to materials challenges? These letters give an overview of the collection development process and how relevant library policies apply to the challenged book. If you’re looking for inspiration when drafting a letter, check out the examples shared by the Lapeer District Library and the Caro Area District Library.
Have you written a letter responding to a challenge in your community? Your colleagues would benefit from seeing your work. Contribute to the Toolkit by sending a redacted version of the letter to MLA@milibraries.org.
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Resources for library staff, educators, and board members.
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Tips and templates for promoting intellectual freedom in your community.
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Request support as you take action to protect First Amendment rights.
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MLA 2023 Annual Conference: Connecting the Dots |
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Save the Date for the MLA 2023 Annual Conference! Attendee registration will open in June. Save the date and plan to join us October 18-20, in person in Kalamazoo for MLA 2023 Annual Conference: Connecting the Dots. |
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We are excited to announce the MLA 2023 Annual Conference keynote speakers! Watch for more event details when we open registration next month and plan to join us on October 18 - 20, 2023 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center.
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MLA 2023 Keynote Speakers |
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Abra Berens is a chef, former farmer, and writer. She started cooking at the storied Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor, MI. She then went on to train in the garden-focused kitchen at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork, Ireland. In 2009 she co-founded Bare Knuckle Farm in Northport, MI, where she farmed and cooked for 8 years. After years of farming, she returned to the kitchen full time, opening and helming the café at Local Foods in Chicago, IL. In 2017, she left her Executive Chef position to return to the mitten state to join the team at Granor Farm in Three Oaks, MI, where she combines her love of farms and restaurants to create one-of-a-kind dinners on the farm celebrating the best of Southwest Michigan’s diverse agriculture.
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Stephen A. Jackson is Oak Park (IL) Public Library’s Director of Equity and Anti-Racism. Joining a handful of public libraries with similar equity-based leadership positions, the library created this position to support and fulfill its anti-racism journey and its first Anti-Racism Strategic Plan. Jackson works to improve the library’s public service and staff relationships by ensuring policies and practices are equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist and helps to train library staff on topics such as anti-racism, equity, diversity, inclusion, and restorative practices.
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Ellen Hopkins is a poet, freelance writer, and the award-winning author of twenty nonfiction titles, three novels for adults, and thirteen NY Times Bestselling novels-in-verse. She has published hundreds of articles on subjects ranging from aviation to child abuse to winegrowing. Ellen is a regular speaker at schools, book festivals and writers conferences across the US, and now throughout the world.
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Call for Exhibitors and Sponsors |
Do you offer products and services for libraries? Don't miss the opportunity to connect with hundreds of library staff and support our upcoming MLA 2023 Annual Conference on October 18-20, 2023 in Kalamazoo, Michigan!
Contact Amber Sheerin, MLA Program and Event Director at (517) 881-3194 or asheerin@milibraries.org to learn more about sponsoring or exhibiting at MLA 2022 Annual Conference.
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Save the Date and Submit a Nomination for the 2023 Michigan Library Awards |
The Michigan Library Awards is the can't-miss event for recognizing Michigan's amazing library professionals and libraries. It’s the Michigan library community's own version of the Academy Awards, the Emmys, the Grammys, and the Tonys!
On Wednesday, October 18 in Kalamazoo, we will have an evening of celebration, including dinner and an awards show featuring entertainment and special guests. Save the date and plan to don your best business dressy attire (ball gowns and tuxedos are NOT required), strut the red carpet for a photo op, and join us for dinner and a show as we celebrate the accomplishments, dedication and service of outstanding libraries, library staff, trustees and supporters.
You can submit a nomination for any of MLA's awards year-round! We are excited to share that the Michigan Library Awards workgroup will also be unveiling a new award this year! Watch for more information in the coming months. Learn more about the Michigan Library Awards and submit a nomination at milibraries.org/michigan-library-awards. |
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MLA 2023 Youth Literary Awards |
The winners and honor books will be announced at the 2023 MLA Youth Literary Awards event: Save the date for Friday, June 16 at 10:00 AM, and plan to watch the announcement on MLA's Facebook page!
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Upcoming MLA Connect Webinars |
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Community Collaborations: Social Services in the Library |
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Wednesday, June 21, 2023
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Libraries are stretched thin and oftentimes serve as a social safety net, which may not be within the scope of library staff members’ job descriptions or abilities. Join us to learn about ways libraries have partnered with local social service organizations to widen access for the most vulnerable patrons and community members.
MLA Connect webinars are only $25 for MLA members. This webinar will be recorded and available through MLA Connect On Demand.
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Mark Giesler
PhD, LMSW
Professor of Social Work
Saginaw Valley State University
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Jeff Vedders
Assistant Program Director
Community Action House Holland
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Jessica Pressley
Outreach Lead Community
Action House Holland
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Michele P. Howard Library Director
Traverse Area District Library
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Check out the MLA Connect On Demand virtual education platform! MLA members have access to dozens of virtual programs and sessions on a wide variety of topics, all available to view on-demand. To view available programs, visit MLA Connect On Demand, browse the archives, and log in with your MLA individual login credentials. |
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Think Space: Designed for Directors, by Directors |
A mighty cohort of library directors from across Michigan gathered for their final sessions of the 2022-2023 Think Space at Boyne Mountain.
This year Think Space took a deep dive into intellectual freedom challenges - “Holding True to our Values and Staying Strong” - all while giving attendees the opportunity to build deep, lasting relationships. Registration for the next cohort and details for the 2023-2024 Think Space will open this fall! Learn more about Think Space.
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Save the Date for 2024 Michigan Library Advocacy Day |
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Shop our store for MI Right to Read apparel and MLA swag. We have shirts designed by local artists that promote the right to read, plus MI Right to Read and MLA merch like hoodies, shirts, mugs, and totes! Check out our store, order your gear, and wear your support of libraries and the right to read! |
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Organizational Membership Renewal |
Thank you to all of our organizational members for your continued support! Organizational membership renewal information for the 2023-2024 member year was sent in April. If you have any questions about your membership or renewal please contact Rachel Ash, MLA Membership and Communications Director at rfash@milibraries.org.
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Accessing Your Library's Member Record |
Organizational representatives: To access your library’s member record, visit milibraries.org and log in to the online member portal using your individual login credentials. From the member portal home page navigation menu, select "Go to Profile," then navigate to "My Profile" and select "Your Organization" from the dropdown list. You are now interacting as your library! |
View the Organizational Member Directory |
Search the MLA Organizational Member Directory to view library organizational members of MLA. You can search by library name, address or zip or view all organizational members in alphabetical order. Need to update your library's info? Library directors can log in to their individual member profiles to access and update their library's organizational membership. |
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Strategic Partner Membership |
MLA Strategic Partner members help support our statewide partnerships and collaborations that unite all Michigan libraries, foster healthy communities, promote education and literacy and advance arts and culture in Michigan. Strategic Partners include library vendors, service providers, community organizations and philanthropic institutions.
If you are looking for an opportunity to show support for the library community, stay informed on the latest news and trends in the library profession, connect with library staff and build collaborative relationships within the library profession, then we invite you to join our network of hundreds of libraries, library professional and supporters from all across Michigan. Strategic Partner membership with MLA provides exclusive benefits, including:
- Discount for one lead staff on event registration
- Access to our searchable member directory
- Listing with your organization’s information in our partner directory
- Scrolling banner ad on our Strategic Partner Directory webpage
- 10% discounts on exhibiting at our annual conference and our Spring Institute for Youth Services conference
- 10% discount on advertising in our conference program book
If you have any questions about membership with MLA, please contact Rachel Ash, Membership and Communications Director at rfash@milibraries.org.
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Library Directors: HealthiestYou is an affordable option for providing your library staff with access to free online healthcare. It's a healthcare service that offers convenient, confidential access to quality doctors and providers by phone, video, or app 24/7/365.
Questions or Ready to Enroll?
HealthiestYou is available exclusively to MLA Organizational Members. Please contact Rachel Ash, MLA Membership and Communications Director at rfash@milibraries.org to confirm your library’s eligibility or to join MLA. Rachel will connect you with Corey Cushing to begin the enrollment process.
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Do you have news you want to share? Contact Lisa Buttigieg at lbuttigieg@milibraries.org to share news of promotions, new hires, appointments, awards or a tribute in memoriam. |
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The Bentley Historical Library announced that the Regents of the University of Michigan approved Alexis Antracoli as the library’s next director. Congratulations to you Alexis! |
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The Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library Board of Trustees announced they have selected a new director to lead the library into its next chapter. Debra Greenacre, currently the Executive Director of the Manistee County Library, will be taking the helm beginning June 15, 2023. Wishing you great success Debra! |
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Congratulations and best wishes to Kay Schwartz who is retiring from the Flint Public Library. Special thanks to you for your hard work and dedication. You will be missed! |
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Advertise on MLA’s Job Board |
Members receive deep discounts on job postings through the MLA Job Board. Learn more here.
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Cass District Library - Cassopolis, MI
Comstock Township Library - Comstock Township, MI
Central Michigan University - Mt Pleasant, MI
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Rates and Registration | 2023 ALA Annual Conference &...
If you'd like to register a group, ALA is offering a Register 5 People and get 1 Free Registration option. To register a group, begin by signing in with the first person you'd like to register, then check the "Add Another" button on the Review...
Read more
2023.alaannual.org
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MLA 2023 Youth Literary Awards Top Ten Titles |
Check out the top titles of the 2023 Mitten, YouPer and Thumbs Up! Awards! Flyers, awards seals, and award banners are available and free to use. Please use these resources at your library to help us promote MLA Youth Literary Awards and the amazing job our workgroups do in selecting the very best books for youth! Download the Top Ten List Flyers linked below.
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Home - MI Library is Now!
MI Library is NOW A place to experience and access... LEARN MORE What's at MI Library? Programming and Events Attend a book club or game night, join afterschool programs, bring the family for storytime, and more. Technology Connect to the...
Read more
www.milibraryisnow.com
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Bridging Michigan Grants | Michigan Humanities
Bridging Michigan grants provide Michigan nonprofits with up to $2,500 in support of public humanities programming that sparks in-depth thinking and conversation around persistent challenges affecting our communities. We welcome projects that aim ...
Read more
www.michiganhumanities.org
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Michigan Arts and Culture Council Grants
The Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) coordinates grants to arts and culture organizations, cities and municipalities, and other nonprofit organizations ensuring that every citizen and community in Michigan enjoys the civic, economic and...
Read more
www.michiganbusiness.org
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12 Of The Best Summer Reading Programs: 2023 | Book Riot
Summer is right around the corner and what does that mean? It means that you (hopefully) have more time to read! If you don't, at least the children in your life do. Enter the best summer reading programs 2023 has to offer. Kids are on summer...
Read more
bookriot.com
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Series of Comprehensive History Webinars
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) identifies teaching comprehensive history as an important effort supporting Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan. An essential part of MDE's efforts to improve comprehensive history instruction is...
Read more
us06web.zoom.us
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With the severe uptick in local and statewide book challenges, ALA offers this clearinghouse of resources to assist library workers and library advocates in responding to and supporting others facing those challenges. Report challenges to the Office for Intellectual Freedom, and let ALA know if you need assistance.
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Don't keep this great resource to yourself!
Please share this newsletter with your colleagues and networks.
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Executive Director
(517) 881-1266
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Membership and Communications Director
(517) 881-6652
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Database Coordinator
(517) 881-0496
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Administrative Assistant
(517) 881-1683
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Program and Event Director
(517) 881-3194
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Connect with MLA on social media! Like and Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest real-time updates from MLA staff, library news, inspirational and educational posts and more! We also ask that you share this invitation with friends and help us extend our reach so important advocacy updates and calls to action are heard by library supporters throughout the state. |
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Uniting the Michigan Library Community
MLA is proud to partner with organizations serving the library community.
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