MLA Committees and Workgroups
Committees and workgroups selected during an annual call for volunteers help guide the work of MLA through identifying and developing future leaders, advising on the latest trends, planning educational events such as conferences and workshops, and selecting award winners. The Call for Volunteers is issued each spring. Learn more about participating.
2022-2023 Standing Committees
Advocacy and Legislative Committee
Monitors legislative and policy issues impacting libraries and makes policy recommendations to the board. Informs and educates members about state legislation and policy issues. Contact legislators as needed to educate them about library concerns.
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Chair: Dale Parus
Ionia Community Library
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Lisa Buttigieg
Michigan Library Association
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Lobbyist: Bob DeVries
Governmental Consultant Services, Inc.
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Shirley Bruursema
Kent District Library
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John A. Clexton
Gladwin District Library
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Bryan Cloutier
Oxford Public Library
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Jim Flury
The Library Network
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Dillon Geshel
Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Anne Heidemann
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Library
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Jessica Keyser
Grosse Pointe Public Library
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Kathy Lester
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
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Claire Meeker
Romeo District Library
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Cindy Mack
Brighton District Library
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Jenny Marr
Ferndale Area District Library
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Michael McCullough
Willard Public Library
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Clare Membiela
Library of Michigan
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Larry Neal
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Ann Neff-Rohs
Grand Rapids Public Library
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Christine Peele
Detroit Public Library
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Erin Schmandt
Caro Area District Library
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Kristin Shelley
East Lansing Public Library
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Intellectual Freedom Taskforce
The purpose of the Intellectual Freedom Task Force is to support the Michigan Library Association in safeguarding intellectual freedom and first amendment rights, proactively educate and inform the library field of legislation related to intellectual freedom, develop a position and response by MLA in instances of controversy over censorship and encourage Michigan libraries to develop policies that will support free speech and the freedom to read.
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Chair: Dillon Geshel
Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Vice-Chair: Dennis Kreps
Community Volunteer
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Keeley Briggs
Michigan Library Association
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Kate Pohjola Andrade
Woodlands Library Cooperative
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Bryonna Barton
Eaton Rapids Area District Library
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Shirley Bruursema
Kent District Library
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Sarah Burchart
Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research
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Kathleen Gallagher
Grosse Pointe Public Library
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Alice Howard
Ecorse Public Library
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Mary Grahame Hunter
Ferndale Area District Library
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Stephanie Luyt
Traverse City Area Public Schools
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Chase McMunn
Orion Township Public Library
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Juliane Morian
Rochester Hills Public Library
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Ann Neff-Rohs
Grand Rapids Public Library
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Kristin Shelley
East Lansing Public Library
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Nominating and Leadership Development Committee
Cultivates leadership potential within MLA membership to maintain strong and effective governance and solicits and evaluates nominations of candidates for service on the MLA Board of Directors.
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Chair: Cathleen Russ
West Bloomfield Township Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Jennifer Dean
University of Michigan Flint Thompson Library
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Valerie L. Meyerson
Petoskey District Library
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Kristin Shelley
East Lansing Public Library
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Eric Stanton
Capital Area District Libraries
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Kate Van Auken
White Pine Library Cooperative
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Andrea Vernola
Kalamazoo Public Library
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Finance Committee
Provides financial oversight for the organization, including budgeting and financial planning, financial reporting, and the creation and monitoring of internal controls and accountability policies in support of the MLA Board of Directors.
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Chair: Kristin Shelley
East Lansing Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Scott Duimstra
Capital Area District Libraries
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Strategic Planning Committee
The Michigan Library Association’s Strategic Planning Workgroup’s role is to develop, analyze, modify and evaluate the strategic plan/goals and objectives of MLA and identify any areas that need improvements within the organization. The Strategic Planning Workgroup annually reviews the strategic plan/goals and objectives of the organization and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding proposed changes.
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Eva Davis
Canton Public Library
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Scott Duimstra
Capital Area District Libraries
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Michele Howard
Traverse Area District Library
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Jenny Marr
Ferndale Area District Library
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Maria McCarville
Public Libraries of Saginaw
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Kristin Shelley
East Lansing Public Library
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Sophia Ward Brewer
Grand Rapids Community College
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Lisa Waskin
Superior District Library
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2021-2022 Professional Development Workgroups
Webinar and Workshop Workgroup
The Webinar and Workshop Workgroup will assist in planning and creating programming such as the MLA Connect webinar series.
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Chair: Katharyn Hass
Portage District Library
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Vice-Chair: Sarah Rick
Millington Arbela District Library
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin
Michigan Library Association
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Dee Beaver
Plymouth District Library
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Marlena Moore
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
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Eric Palmer
Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative
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Michael Postula
Ann Arbor District Library
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Andrea Ward
River Rouge Public Library
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MLA 2022 Annual Conference Workgroup
The MLA 2022 Annual Conference is scheduled for October of 2022. The workgroup assists in the planning and execution of this event with up to 600 attendees, guests, speakers and exhibitors.
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Chair: Scott Duimstra
Capital Area District Libraries
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Vice-Chair: Dillon Geshel
Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin
Michigan Library Association
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Chelsey Boss
Adrian District Library
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Sarah Burchart
Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research
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Andrea Ingmire
Peter White Public Library
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Amber Johnson
Chesterfield Township Library
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Brian R. Johnston
Lincoln Township Public Library
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Elizabeth Kish
Genesee District Library
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Breck McCrory
Chesterfield Township Library
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Eric Palmer
Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative
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Cindi L. Place
Bellaire Public Library
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Shane Stewart
Chesterfield Township Library
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Lisa Waskin
Superior District Library
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MLA 2023 Annual Conference Workgroup
The MLA 2023 Annual Conference is scheduled for October of 2023. The workgroup assists in the planning and execution of this event with up to 600 attendees, guests, speakers and exhibitors.
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Chair: Dillon Geshel
Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Vice-Chair: Wesleyann Johnson
Center Line Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin
Michigan Library Association
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Katherine Bryant
Bloomfield Township Public Library
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Lisa Burns
Dearborn Public Library
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Rebekah Craft
Baldwin Public Library
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Andrea Ingmire
Peter White Public Library
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Amber Johnson
Chesterfield Township Library
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Mary Johnson
Muskegon Area District Library
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Kevin King
Kalamazoo Public Library
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Cindy Mack
Brighton District Library
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Cindi L. Place
Bellaire Public Library
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James Pugh
Orion Township Public Library
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Holly Teasdle
Lyon Township Public Library
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Sophia Ward Brewer
Grand Rapids Community College
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Lisa Waskin
Superior District Library
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Tim Wiggins
Niles District Library
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Elissa Zimmer
Van Buren District Library
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Spring Institute 2023
This two-day conference brings together approximately 200 statewide children and teen service librarians to share, learn and experience best practices. Help plan valuable programming that includes national award-winning authors, illustrators and storytellers.
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Chair: Jocelyn Levin
Lyon Township Public Library
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Vice-Chair: Ashley Lehman
Orion Township Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin
Michigan Library Association
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Jill M. Anderson
Kent District Library
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Angela Badke
Michigan Tech University
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Toni Lea Isom
Adrian District Library
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Whitney Jones
Canton Public Library
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Elissa Zimmer
Van Buren District Library
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Think Space 2022-2023 Workgroup
The Michigan Library Association’s Think Space workgroup leads the development, planning, and execution of the multi-part Think Space event. The workgroup will determine appropriate educational content and networking opportunities targeted at established library directors. Each Think Space event will have one central focal point to be determined by the workgroup and MLA staff.
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin
Michigan Library Association
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Carol Dawe
Lakeland Library Cooperative
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Valerie L. Meyerson
Petoskey District Library
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Larry Neal
Clinton Macomb Public Library
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Lance Werner
Kent District Library
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Statewide Library Marketing and Public Relations Workgroup
The goal of this workgroup is to promote Michigan libraries at a statewide level. The workgroup will find and implement creative ways to promote Michigan library services and assist with creating dynamic, and exciting multimedia communications to promote and advocate for Michigan libraries and the library profession. The workgroup will also oversee, create and implement a statewide, multi-year public relations and advertising campaign to promote the importance and relevance of libraries – and educate residents, including elected officials and legislators, about library services that go beyond books.
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Chair: Kristin Shelley
East Lansing Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Linda Adams
Northland Library Cooperative
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Steven Bowers
The Library Network
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Laura Fromwiller
Brandon Township Public Library
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Randy Goble
Kent District Library
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Jeffrey Milosevich
Ferndale Area District Library
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Sarah Neidert
Brighton District Library
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Adam Oster
Library of Michigan
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James Pugh
Orion Township Public Library
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Katie Rothley
Lyon Township Public Library
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Mary Ann Short
Grosse Pointe Public Library
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Trent Smiley
Capital Area District Libraries
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Tammy Turgeon
Sterling Heights Public Library
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Lisa Waskin
Superior District Library
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Michigan Library Awards - MLA Awards Selection Workgroup
Reviews and updates award guidelines, encourages nominations, reviews nominees and selects the winners for our MLA professional recognition awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Public Librarian of the Year, Heart of a Champion, Rising Star, Frances H. Pletz Award for Excellence in Service to Youth and Support Staff of the Year.
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Lauren Arnsman
Troy Public Library
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Jennifer Dean
University of Michigan Flint Thompson Library
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Jolee Hamlin
Capital Area District Libraries
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Marissa Lasoff-Santos
William P. Faust Public Library of Westland
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Chris Potts
Capital Area District Libraries
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Cathleen Russ
West Bloomfield Township Library
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Kristen Valyi-Hax
Harper Woods Public Library
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2023 Literary Award Workgroups
Mitten Award
Recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in picture book format. Read more about the Mitten Award here.
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Chair: Leigh Verburg
Kent District Library
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Vice-Chair: Dena Moscheck
Bay County Library System
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Lauren Aquilina
Commerce Township Community Library
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Michael Golczynski
Ionia Community Library
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Elyshia Hoekstra
Coopersville Area District Library
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Kristen Jayska
Livonia Public Library
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Rita King
Infobase
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Holly Kirsten
Chesterfield Township Library
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Everett Pine
Ferndale Area District Library
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Lisa Rodkey
Grand Haven Public Schools
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Jeanette Smith
Romeo District Library
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Loni Wetherell
Cromaine District Library
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YouPer (Young Person) Award
Recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in chapter book format. Read more about the YouPer Award here.
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Co-Chair: Heather Draft
Cromaine District Library
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Co-Chair: Jessica Keeler
Plymouth District Library
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Catherine Ash
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Lisa Boyd
Canton Public Library
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Robert Chartrand
Capital Area District Libraries
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Gretchen Dula
Jackson District Library
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Fillippa Genovese
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Jamie Klos
Clarkston Independence District Library
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Kirsten Malzahn
Novi Public Library
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Katie Perkey
Orion Township Public Library
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Stacia Serafin
Clarkston Independence District Library
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Elizabeth Wierenga
Kent District Library
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Thumbs Up! Award
Recognizes an outstanding contribution to teen literature that has both literary quality and teen appeal for those 13 to 18 years of age. Read more about the Thumbs Up! Award here.
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Co-Chair: Sarah Swiderski
Salem-South Lyon District Library
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Co-Chair: Sarah Welch
Big Rapids Community Library
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Natalya Anton
Fowlerville District Library
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Tracy Bedford
Southfield Public Library
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Josh Campeau
Pontiac Public Library
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Kayla Dies
Paw Paw District Library
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Nicole Johnson
Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library
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Shanni Kerr
Ionia Community Library
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Stephanie Martin
Clarkston Independence District Library
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Catherine Moeller
Livonia Public Library
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Hannah Mullins
Howell Carnegie District Library
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Jennifer Noble
Detroit Public Library
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Amanda Shepard
Herrick District Library
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