MLA’s “Primary Source” is an exclusive, first-hand account of the latest news and announcements from the staff of the Michigan Library Association.

MLA staff have implemented a remote work plan that began Monday, March 16 and will continue through at least April 17. While we miss seeing our colleagues and many of our amazing volunteers at in-person meetings, our commitment to MLA and to our members has made this an easy transition.

While we aren't physically at the office, it's business as usual for MLA staff as we continue to work on advocacy efforts, planning enriching educational and networking opportunities and keeping you up to date on the latest news and trends in the library community. Staff will still be available by email or phone Monday through Friday during our normal office hours: 8:30am-4:30pm. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of our staff for questions or assistance! Contact MLA Staff.

Last August, when we began asking what you wanted from MLA you stated that you want MLA to be intentional about our future, to move the needle on advocacy, to look outward at other industries to address global trends, and bring a fresh, new perspective to our collective impact. With that said, MLA is proud to unveil our 2020-2022 Strategic Plan that will serve as a road map for MLA. 

We believe without a doubt, that this new plan will guide us in expanding and improving how we deliver core services and help us envision a more culturally rich environment for Michigan through public, academic, school and special libraries. We are so thankful for all of you who responded to our call for input. We have a new plan, a new mission, and a new vision to guide us into the future. Read the highlights below and the full plan here.

 

New Vision:

The Michigan Library Association is an indispensable resource and valued leader, partner and advocate for Michigan libraries.

 

New Mission:

The Michigan Library Association leads the advancement of all Michigan libraries through advocacy, education and engagement.

 

New Strategic Priorities:

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Collaborations and Partnerships; Transparency; and Engagement and New Ideas

 

New Goals:

Advocacy; Knowledge; Community; and Organizational Excellence

 

We thank you again for helping set our agenda and for contributing your thoughts to our new direction. We are already implementing and moving the needle in light of all that has taken place in the past week with the global health crisis. Expect great things from MLA.

MLA will hold elections for the Board of Directors April 6 - April 19. Members will vote for the next President-elect and three member-at-large board members, who will serve three-year terms beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2023.

Meet the candidates! View detailed information on each candidate by clicking on their photo or name or visit the MLA website for details.

*Members may choose to write in an alternative candidate for President-elect on their ballots when casting their vote.

Please note that Cathleen Russ has withdrawn from running for President-elect. We wish Cathy all the best and thank her for her involvement with MLA.

Sunsetting Interest Groups

With a new strategic plan to back up our programming priorities, the MLA Board of Directors has decided to put our full attention to strengthen standing committees and work groups and to sunset all MLA Interest Groups, effective Friday, March 20.

The Intellectual Freedom Interest Group, the Readers Advisory Interest Group, and the Youth Service Interest Group have all been closed. The Academic Library Interest Group listserv has also been closed but we are introducing a new Academic Library ACRL Work Group to increase our focus on programming/services for this group of members. We hope that if you were affiliated with any of these Interest Groups that you will continue to be involved with MLA by responding to our Call for Volunteers for any of our work groups or committees.

Take advantage of the opportunity to make a difference in the Michigan library community. Develop your leadership skills and grow your professional network by volunteering to serve on a committee or work group.

Committees

Work Groups

All MLA members are eligible to participate! Nonmembers interested in volunteering are welcome to join MLA by filling out the online membership application or by contacting us at (517) 394-2774 or [email protected]. Complete the online volunteer application by Friday, April 24, 2020.

2020 Annual Conference Call for Proposals Extended

You're invited to submit a proposal for a breakout session or poster presentation at MLA 2020 Annual Conference.

We encourage participation from librarians, staff and administrators from all types of libraries.

Visit the Call for Proposals web page to review submission guidelines and submit your proposal using the online form. Please note, the deadline to submit a proposal for a poster or program has been extended to Friday, May 1, 2020.

Questions? Contact Amber Sheerin, MLA Program and Event Director at (517) 394-2774 ext. 223 or [email protected].

Get your home-bound teen patrons involved! Through May 30, teens aged 13 to 18 can vote online for the MLA 2020 Thumbs Up! Award Teen Choice. Distribute the Top Ten Titles flyer (pdf) with the link to the online survey or share the link above on your library's website! Voting can be done online through May 30.

The 2020 Thumbs Up! Award winner, honor books and teen choice will be announced this fall!

Thank you to all of the amazing individuals that make up the very lifeblood of MLA. We value you and everything you do to make our communities better.

If you aren't able to pay your membership fees because of limited time and resources while libraries are closed, we understand! We are extending the 60-grace period for all individual memberships set to expire through May 30, to a 90-day grace period in order to allow libraries and staff additional time to process payments without losing access to any member benefits. Thank you for your membership and continued support.

Organizational membership renewal information for the 2020-2021 member year was mailed earlier this month. With libraries closed to the public, we wanted to remind those who handle invoice payment that renewal payments are not due until June 30, 2020 and that we offer an online payment option. And don't forget you can renew individual memberships for your entire staff through group invoicing!

Organizations 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, are invited to join our network of more than 1700 libraries, library professional and supporters from all across Michigan. Strategic Partner membership with MLA provides exclusive benefits, including:

Join now and your membership will be extended through June 2021!

If you have any questions about membership with MLA, please contact Rachel Ash, Membership and Communications Director at [email protected].

Yesterday, the United States Senate passed an unprecedented $2.2 trillion stimulus package in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. This bipartisan legislation is the largest economic aid package in US history and was passed in the Senate with a unanimous 96-0 vote. It will next go to the House for a vote.

On Wednesday evening, before the Senate passed this legislation, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced that the House will convene at 9 a.m. Friday to consider the relief package. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is indicating that she's optimistic that the bill will pass in the House as well. President Donald Trump has indicated he will sign the measure and tweeted his congratulations after it cleared the Senate. View the bill text here.

 

MLA Executive Director, Deborah E. Mikula participated in a meeting with other statewide library associations, chapters of the American Library Association (ALA) on March 25. ALA’s Washington DC office is working hard to keep libraries at the forefront of the conversation with our federal legislators as stimulus packages are being developed. Not only are they working to secure dollars that will impact the library field now, but also bringing attention to what will be needed as the country eases back into operations once COVID-19 has been contained. 

 

ALA’s public policy staff are reviewing the new $2T stimulus bill to identify provisions that will affect libraries. At the surface, it is wonderful to note that the $50M to the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will be distributed to states without the need for any matching funds. They have indicated that there may be additional resources within the education and broadband provisions as well that will be helpful to libraries.

 

At the urging of MLA, ALA also signed on last week to the National Council of Nonprofits coalition request urging stimulus to help the nonprofit sector to serve the American people . America’s charitable nonprofits need an immediate infusion of $60 billion in capital to maintain operations, expand scope to address increasing demands, and stabilize losses from closures throughout the country. This new stimulus package may not address all concerns and we will need to continue to advocate for additional funds for nonprofits and charitable donations for organizations such as MLA. 

 

It is sad to note that some funding will diminish as the recession continues and we are in for long term recovery. We will need to make sure we know the impact that you are making, and the challenges faced by libraries in Michigan. We encourage you to continue to share your stories and hashtag #LibrariesStrong #MILibrariesStrong, and #StrongerTogether.

Public Library Directors: Please complete this survey from the Public Library Association (PLA) and share how your library is responding to the COVID-19 crisis: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/publiclibrariesrespond

The survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete and will be open through Monday, March 30, 2020 at 11:59pm Central. Your responses will immediately inform work by library organizations, help advance national policy advocacy for libraries, and increase our shared knowledge across the field and with the media. Learn more

Questions? Contact Emily Plagman at [email protected] or call (312) 380-1344.

The Library of Michigan is working with EveryLibrary to gather data to support the case for potential stimulus funding from the federal level for public library construction and building projects. In order to help with this, they need to hear from you about planned and potential projects libraries are planning for at this time. You may have projects that are new construction, renovations, retrofitting, upgrades to technology, environmental efficiencies and weatherproofing, or even ADA-style compliance (bathrooms, elevators). If so, please complete the survey. At this time there are no funds, but it helps to make the case if you have data behind your need. This is where you can help with this effort.

You may remember during the late 2000’s projects were often called “shovel-ready” if they were considered easily put into place in a short time frame. Even if you don’t think your project is shovel ready, don’t hesitate to input the information in the survey. They would like to hear about all types of building and construction projects.

They understand that you may not have all the information or understand if your project fits in this survey. If you have time, they would appreciate any and all responses you can provide. The Library of Michigan will work with EveryLibrary to determine what fits in the scope of projects they can use to help support funding for libraries.

When you click on the survey link you will find a list of questions to review before beginning the survey. It will take about 3 to 5 minutes to respond to the survey of 8 questions.

To eliminate duplication, ONLY ONE SURVEY NEEDS TO BE SUBMITTED PER LIBRARY.

Take the survey at: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5520717/Building-and-Construction-Projects

Foster Swift Municipal Law News E-blast

March 19, 2020

Pursuant to Executive Order 2020-15 (“EO 2020-15”) that was released on March 18, 2020, Governor Whitmer temporarily suspended certain rules and procedures required by the Michigan Open Meetings Act (“OMA”) relating to physical presence at meetings. The rules apply until April 15, 2020 at 11:59 pm. The Governor recognized that public bodies, such as the Foundation Board, must continue to “conduct public business during this emergency, including actions to respond to COVID-19, and the general public must be able to continue to participate in government decision-making without unduly compromising public health, safety, and welfare.” Read more

In a surprise announcement last week, Macmillan Publishers abandoned its controversial embargo on new releases of ebooks in libraries.

“There are times in life when differences should be put aside,” reads a brief memo from Macmillan CEO John Sargent addressed to librarians, authors, illustrators, and agents. “Effective on Friday (or whenever thereafter our wholesalers can effect the change), Macmillan will return to the library e-book pricing model that was in effect on October 31st, 2019. In addition, we will be lowering some e-book prices on a short term basis to help expand libraries collections in these difficult times. Stay safe.”

Read more

On March 12, MLA Executive Director, Deborah E. Mikula, testified at the State of Michigan Judiciary Committee Hearing in support of Senator MacGregor’s Senate Bill 611. Supportive testimony was also delivered by Lance Werner, Director of the Kent District Library, who accompanied Senator MacGregor, and non-verbal support was issued by 10 public libraries and cooperatives.

Last October, Senator MacGregor introduced SB 611 to amend the Michigan Library Privacy Act, 1982 PA 455. The intention of his bill was to enable libraries to work with law enforcement when the library is a victim of a crime. After hearing both concerns and support from the Michigan library community on Senator MacGregor's proposed amendments to the Privacy Act, MLA helped draft a substitute bill that clarifies and updates SB 611. The proposed substitution bill removes obstacles and legal barriers libraries sometimes face when a crime has been committed in the library while providing for continued protection to patron privacy.

The Judiciary Committee, led by Senator Lucido, asked clarifying questions and planned to meet the following week to hold a second hearing to finalize the forward movement of the bill, but the global health crisis closed down all non-essential committee meetings until further notice. Once the “Stay at Home” order from Governor Whitmer is lifted, MLA will continue to advocate for the passage of substitute SB611.

We will keep you informed as the process moves forward.

Libraries and the Legal Impacts of COVID-19

Tuesday, March 31

2:00– 3:00pm

How will the evolving state regulations, executive orders, and the federal stimulus package affect your staff and community? Join MLA and Attorneys Anne Seurynck and Mike Blum of Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC for a live webinar, next Tuesday, March 31 from 2:00– 3:00pm as they review the impacts of COVID-19 regulations and directives on Michigan libraries and their employees and offer an opportunity for participants to ask questions about issues they are currently facing during this time of uncertainty.

This webinar is free to attend for MLA Members. A maximum of 100 attendees can attend the live webinar. Registration is first-come, first-served. You must be an MLA member to register. Nonmembers interested in attending are welcome to join MLA by filling out the online membership application or by contacting us at (517) 394-2774 or [email protected].

A recording of the session will be available on the MLA website on Wednesday, April 1, for those unable to attend the live event.

MLA may not be #ontheroad these days but we are working hard to finalize contingency plans for our previously scheduled upcoming events.

We are committed to doing our part to minimize the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging social distancing and have decided to postpone all spring workshops and events that were scheduled through May 30.

MLA staff are working with our event work groups to bring these educational opportunities to you. We are exploring virtual formats for some events, and working to secure dates and locations for our in-person events when it is safe to do so.

 

MLAConnect will be offering a series of webinars and virtual events to replace the following workshops:

April 3: Library Human Resources: Coaching and Evaluating Staff

April 20: Community Collaborations

May 15: Deconstructing Institutional Racism

 

MLA is working to reschedule these events in-person at a time when it is safe to do so:

March 19-20: Spring Institute for Youth Services

May 1: How to Advance Your Career

May 29: Executive Summit

May 7: Leadership Academy - May meeting has been postponed. Registered attendees will be notified of updated schedule once finalized.

 

The following event has been cancelled:

April 22: MLA Advocacy Day has been cancelled. We look forward to inviting everyone back to Lansing in 2021.

We are committed to providing quality and timely professional development, education and networking opportunities for our members.

We will fully refund registration costs for attendees (who have already paid their registration fees) in the event that programs are cancelled or if for any reason attendees are unable to attend the rescheduled events. Registrants will also have the option of transferring their registration to a different program or event.

Please watch for further communications as we finalize details. We ask that all those currently registered please wait for updated event details to be released before requesting to cancel your registration.

In light of cancelled/postponed spring and some early summer programs, we are continuing our work on MLA 2020 Annual Conference. We are excited to announce our keynote speakers for MLA 2020 Annual Conference, scheduled in Kalamazoo this October 28-30 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center. Attendee registration will open later this spring. Mark your calendars now and get ready- this is going to be an amazing conference!

View these jobs and more at the MLA Career Center.

Have a job to post? Members receive deep discounts on job postings through the MLA Career Center job board. Learn more here.

Research Analyst

Oakland University – Rochester Hills, MI

User Services Department Head

University of Michigan - Dearborn – Dearborn, MI

Uniting the Michigan Library Community

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