MLA 2019-2020 Committees and Work Groups

MLA Committees and Work Groups

Committees and work groups 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.

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.

Chair: Erin Schmandt, Caro Area District Library
Clara Bohrer, West Bloomfield Twp. Public Library
Shirley Bruursema, Kent District Library
Bryan Cloutier, Oxford Public Library
Julia Eisenstein, University of Detroit Mercy
Dennis Hillers, University of Detroit Mercy
Jessica Keyser, Grosse Pointe Public Library
Kathy Lester, Plymouth Canton Community School Library
Cindy Mack, Brighton District Library
Jenny Marr, Ferndale Area District Library
Clare Membiela, Library of Michigan
James Pletz, The Library Network
Kelly Richards, Muskegon Area District Library
Kristin Shelley, East Lansing Public Library
Lance Werner, Kent District Library
Ryan Wieber, Kalamazoo Public Library

Professional Development and Networking Committee

Anticipates emerging trends and hot topics. Works with staff as a think tank for ideas and insight to help identify the kinds of training our members will need to excel in the libraries of the future as well as today.

Chair: Vanessa Verdun-Morris, Taylor Community Library
Mattie Cook, Flat River Community Library
John McNaughton, Grand Rapids Public Library
Ann Neff-Rohs, Jackson District Library
Kip Odell, Kent District Library
Lisa Valerio Nowc, Royal Oak Township Library
Lisa Waskin, Superior District Library

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.

Chair: Pam Christensen
Jennifer Dean, University of Detroit Mercy
Julia Eisenstein, University of Detroit Mercy
John McNaughton, Grand Rapids Public Library
Tashia Munson, Washtenaw Community College
Kristin Shelley, East Lansing Public Library
Ryan Wieber, Kalamazoo Public Library

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.

Chair: Richard Schneider, Consultant
Scott Duimstra, Library Director, Capital Area District Library
Karen Knox, Library Director, Orion Township Public Library

2019-2020 Professional Development Work Groups

MLA 2019 Annual Conference

Annual Conference is a three-day conference scheduled for October 16-18, 2019 in Novi, Michigan. The work group assists in the planning and execution of this event with up to 600 attendees, guests, speakers and exhibitors.

Chair: Juliane Morian, Clinton-Macomb Public Library
Kathryn Bergeron, Kalamazoo Public Library
Amber Clement, Presque Isle District Library
Lindsey Dorfman, Kent District Library
Holly Hentz, Hamburg Township Library
Claire Lopiccolo, Romeo District Library
Linda Lyshol, Branch District Library
Janelle Martin, Lapeer District Library
Marlena Moore, Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence
Lisa Mulvenna, Clinton-Macomb Public Library
Karren Reish, Library of Michigan
Jennifer Roth, Westland Public Library

MLA 2020 Annual Conference

Annual Conference is a three-day conference scheduled for October 28-30, 2020 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The work group assists in the planning and execution of this event with up to 600 attendees, guests, speakers and exhibitors.

Chair: Kevin King, Kalamazoo Public Library
Vice Chair: Claire Lopiccolo, Romeo District Library
Amber Alexander, Presque Isle District Library
Matti Cook, Flat River Community Library
Tim Gleisner, Library of Michigan
Jill Lansky, Kalamazoo Public Library
Bethany Maley, Kalamazoo Public Library
Sherri McConnell, Capital Area District Libraries
Terri New, Kalamzaoo Public Library
James Pugh, Orion Township Public Library
Jill Spreitzer, University of Detroit Mercy Libraries
Andrea Vernola, Kalamazoo Public Library
Jacqueline Wrosch, Eastern Michigan University

Spring Institute 2020

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.

Chair: Beth Lowe, Fowlerville District Library
Vice-chair: Sara Magnuson, Kent District Library
Karen Blackledge, Muskegon Area District Library
Amanda Heidema, Herrick District Library
Jocelyn Levin, Lyon Township Public Library
Emily Marsh, Bay County Library System
Dena Moscheck, Lapeer District Library
Jessica Parij, Canton Public Library
Monica Porter, Ypsilanti District Library
Elissa Zimmer, Ferndale Area District Library

Career Advancement 2020

Presenting yourself to others as an accomplished, capable, smart and skilled person can help you advance in your career. Whether that advancement is at your current library or a new one, learn how to use self-awareness and emotional intelligence to promote your authentic self. Learn how to get support from others in your network by showing how you value your relationships and the good work you do.

Chair: Kristen Valyi-Hax, Harper Woods Public Library
Natalya Anton, Fowlerville District Library
Dennis Kreps, Richland Community Library

Community Collaborations 2020

The Library as a Social Service Nexus: Homelessness, addiction, housing, domestic violence all require resources. How can your librarians learn about the agencies and services available to provide the best resources to your patrons?

Chair: Bridget Ward, Grand Rapids Public Library
Emanuela DeCenso, Farmington Community Library
Jasmine Parker, Ferndale Public Library

Executive Summit 2020

The most inexpensive way to make your library a success is to have a strong and positive organizational culture. The key is knowing what good organizational health is and how it plays a crucial role in shaping behavior in the library. How can leaders identify and transform their organizational culture?

Chair: Dale Parus, Ionia Community Library
Julia Meredith, Clarkston Independence District Library
Karren Reish, Library of Michigan

Human Resources 2020

Are you prepared to manage? This workshop is about setting expectations and working with employees to bring out the best of their abilities. It will also cover how to develop and administer a clear evaluation process.

Michael Postula, Ann Arbor District Library
Jeanette Smith, Romeo District Library
Jill Sodt, Mott Community College

Michigan Library Awards Gala

MLA Annual Awards Committee

Reviews and updates award guidelines, encourages nominations, reviews nominees and selects the winners for our MLA professional recognition awards including the Librarian of the Year, Heart of a Champion, Rising Star, Frances H. Pletz Award for Excellence in Service to Youth and Legislator of the Year. The Awards Committee also works closely with the annual conference work group that is planning the annual awards gala.

Lauren Arnsman, Comstock Township Library
Danielle DiAmico, Bay County Library System
Jolee Hamlin, Capital Area District Libraries
Karen Knox, Orion Township Public Library
Cathleen Russ, Troy Public Library
Sonya Schryer Norris, Library of Michigan

Library Awards Gala Work Group

Work closely with the Annual Conference work group and is responsible for planning entertainment and securing sponsorships.

2019-2020 Literary Award Work Groups

Michigan Author Award

Coordinate the application, nomination, selection and promotional process to recognize an outstanding body of work by a current Michigan resident or author whose works are identified with Michigan because of subject. Read more about the Michigan Author Award here.

Chair: Eric Stanton, Capital Area District Libraries
Jennifer Hassell
Holly Hentz, Hamburg Township Library
Korinna Kasara, Canton Public Library
Jennifer Noble, Adrian District Library
Christopher Potts, Capital Area District Libraries

Mitten Award

Recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in picture book format. Read more about the Mitten Award here.

Chair: Amy Young, Clinton-Macomb Public Library
Vice-chair: Michael Golczynski, Ionia Community Library
Kimberlee Gardner, Rochester Hills Public Library
Laura Grant, Herrick District Library
Kristen Jayska, Livonia Public Library
Ashlee McClaughry, Bloomfield Township Library
Kathleen Merucci, Salem-South Lyon District Library
Kathleen Mitchell, Kent District Library
Jennifer Ryan, Howell Carnegie District Library
Ashten Wilkey, Kent District Library

YouPer (Young Person) Award

Recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in chapter book format. Read more about the YouPer Award here.

Chair: Killian Weston, Bloomfield Township Public Library
Vice-chair: Brittany Wesner, Clinton-Macomb Public Library
Lisa Boyd, Canton Publlic Library
Robert Chartrand, Capital Area District Libraries
Heather Draft, Cromaine District Library
Whitney Hagen, Paw Paw District Library
Jessica Keeler, Wayne State University
Jamie Klos, Clarkston Independence District Library
Nakenya Lewis-Yarbrough, Belleville Area District Library
Lynn Pearce, Clinton-Macomb Public Library
Andrea Smalley, Portage District Library

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.