Executive Director's Desk - April 12, 2018

Does your leadership team apply the elements of change management and strategic leadership to their decision making?

What are strategic leadership skills?

It has been said, the more unpredictable the environment, the greater the opportunity-if you have the leadership skills to capitalize on it. That means being a strategic leader. According to the Wharton School, strategic leaders are constantly vigilant, honing their ability to anticipate by scanning the environment for signals of change. Strategic thinkers question the status quo. They challenge their own and others' assumptions and encourage divergent points of view before taking action. This requires patience, courage, and an open mind.

President's Update - April 12, 2018

This month I want to send an encouraging welcome to the MLA Academic Libraries Interest Group! Last month I noted that the group will be led by Monique Oldfield (Wayne State University) and Jill Sodt (Mott Community College) this year. Make sure to check the MLA newsletter to take a look at their article about getting the group started. I want to thank them and the MLA office for all of the work they have already done to help the group get going.

MLA Leadership Development - April 12, 2018

This year as immediate past president, it was my privilege to chair the MLA Board of Directors Nominating Committee. It is the nominating committee's responsibility to present a slate of candidates to the Board for their approval.

It is important to maintain and continually develop a strong board for MLA. The Nominating Committee looks for well-rounded candidates, possessing some of the following leadership traits or skills: big picture focus/global outlook, change agent, innovative, open-minded and knowledge of current issues. When selecting candidates we take into account the candidate's contributions to MLA via committee and work group membership and legislative and advocacy participation. Greater weight is given to those candidates exhibiting continued support and service to MLA. Also, care is taken to consider the geographic representation of the current board makeup during the selection of possible future board members. This is to ensure a good balance of candidates from various regions of the state.

Academic Libraries Interest Group - April 12, 2018

Exciting news! The Michigan Library Association is pleased to introduce their newest Interest Group - Academic Libraries! MLA has been a longtime Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) chapter and has pledged to strengthen that relationship. By establishing this Interest Group, MLA exhibits a deep commitment to their mission "helping libraries and library professionals succeed".

Librarian of Congress Visits Taylor Community Library

On Saturday morning the Taylor Community Library hosted Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden. She visited to present Library Director Theresa Powers with books from the Library of Congress and to celebrate March as National Reading Month. Assistant Library Director Vanessa Verdun Morris opened story time for Dr. Hayden and U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. State Rep. Erika Geiss was also in attendance. The library was full and the Taylor library staff did a beautiful job with the event. 

MLA Advocacy - March 22, 2018

Michigan voters in November will elect a new governor, secretary of state, attorney general, Michigan supreme court justices, and both state and federal senators and representatives. This means that elected officials as well as candidates will spend considerable time campaigning throughout the next eight months. When the final weeks of lame duck session roll around we will be watching closely for any legislation impacting our libraries.

A number of ballot proposals will be decided in November as well. Here is a detailed outline of the proposal process and the questions we should expect to see this fall. This document is provided by MLA lobby firm GCSI.