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.
2023-2024 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: Jenny Marr
Ferndale Area District Library
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Vice-Chair: Larry Neal
Clinton-Macomb Public 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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Cindy Mack
Brighton District Library
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Michael McCullough
Willard Public Library
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Claire Meeker
Romeo District Library
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Clare Membiela
Library of Michigan
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Ann Neff-Rohs
Grand Rapids Public Library
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Dale Parus
Ionia Community Library
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Christine Peele
Detroit Public Library
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Paulina Poplawska
Salem-South Lyon District Library
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Erin Schmandt
Caro Area District 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: Juliane Morian
Rochester Hills Public Library
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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 Andrade
Woodlands Library Cooperative
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Bryonna Barton
Eaton Rapids Area District Library
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Rori Bielak
Dexter 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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Azita Frattarelli
Riverview Veterans Memorial Library
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Kathleen Gallagher
Grosse Pointe Public Library
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Grace Rose Galvan
Shelby Township Public Library
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Dillon Geshel
Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Alice Howard
Ecorse Public Library
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Mary Grahame Hunter
Ferndale Area District Library
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Paris Kelvakis
Canton Public Library
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Dennis Kreps
Community Volunteer
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Stephanie Luyt
Traverse City Area Public Schools
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Clare Membiela
Library of Michigan
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Chase McMunn
Orion Township Public Library
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Ann Neff-Rohs
Grand Rapids Public Library
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Tonya Ryals
MacDonald 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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Steven Bowers
The Library Network (TLN)
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Mallorie DeVilbiss
Suburban Library Cooperative
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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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Sophia Ward Brewer
Grand Rapids Community College
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Lisa Waskin
Superior District 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: Lisa Waskin
Superior District 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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Anne Heidemann
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Library
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Mary Higginbottom Johnson
Muskegon Area District Library
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Michele Howard
Traverse Area District Library
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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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Chair: Scott Duimstra
Capital Area District Libraries
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Vice-Chair: Dillon Geshel
Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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John Clexton
Gladwin County District Library
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Jaci Cooper
Kent District Library
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Eva Davis
Canton Public Library
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Michele Howard
Traverse Area District Library
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Jenny Marr
Ferndale Area District Library
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Valerie L. Meyerson
Petoskey District Library
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Kate Van Auken
White Pine Library Cooperative
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Vanessa Verdun-Morris
Madison Heights 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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2023-2024 Professional Development Workgroups
Workshop and Webinar Workgroup
The Workshop and Webinar Workgroup will assist in planning and creating programming such as the MLA Connect webinar series.
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin
Michigan Library Association
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Tracy Bedford
Southfield Public Library
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Amber Johnson
Chesterfield Township Library
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Dennis Kreps
Community Volunteer
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Michael Postula
Ann Arbor District Library
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Sarah Rick
Millington Arbela 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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Sara Magnuson
Kent District 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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MLA 2024 Annual Conference Workgroup
The MLA 2024 Annual Conference is scheduled for October of 2024. 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: Wesleyann Johnson
Center Line Public Library
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Vice-Chair: Lisa Waskin
Superior District Library
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin
Michigan Library Association
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Matt Archibald
Traverse Area District Libraries
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Andy Bourgeois
Capital Area District Libraries
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Lisa Burns
Grosse Pointe Public Library
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Amelia Chea
Hackley Public Library
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Rebekah Craft
Baldwin Public Library
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Michele Howard
Traverse Area District Library
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Andrea Ingmire
Peter White Public Library
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Sara Morrison
Briggs 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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Tim Wiggins
Niles District Library
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Elissa Zimmer
Van Buren District Library
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MLA 2024 Small and Rural Pre-Conference Workgroup
New for 2024, the workgroup is planning a one-day event tailored to small and rural library staff ahead of the MLA 2024 Annual Conference in October.
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Linda Adams
Northland Library Cooperative
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Trixie McMeeking
Homer Public Library
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Kate Andrade
Woodlands Library Cooperative
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Sonya Schryer Norris
Plum Librarian LLC
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Eric Palmer
Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative
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Cindi Place
Bellaire Public Library
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Lisa Waskin
Superior District Library
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Tim Wiggins
Niles District Library
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Spring Institute for Youth Services 2024 Workgroup
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: Ashley Lehman
Orion Township Public Library
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Vice-Chair: Jill M. Anderson
Kent District Library
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin
Michigan Library Association
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Laura Bultman
Kalamazoo Public Library
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Amanda Carr
Troy Public Library
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Becky DeLiso
Chesterfield Township Library
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Kristen Getzin
Fraser Public Library
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Natalie Haggard
Brighton District Library
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Heather Harrison
Genesee District Library
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Jay Hull
Capital Area District Libraries
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Jocelyn Levin
Lyon Township Public Library
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Stephanie Martin
Clarkston Independence District Library
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Courtnei Moyses
Traverse Area District Library
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Holly Osentoski
Troy Public Library
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Lydia Schmidt
Hackley Public Library
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Michele Wittkopp
Muskegon Area District Library
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Michigan Library Advocacy Day 2024 Workgroup
On Tuesday, April 16, the Michigan library community will unite to amplify our collective voice in support of all Michigan libraries at MLA's Michigan Library Advocacy Day! Passionate and committed library advocates from all across Michigan will join together in person in Lansing to represent our public, school, academic, tribal and special libraries.
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Chair: John Clexton
Gladwin County District Library
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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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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Lisa Buttigieg
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Keeley Briggs
Michigan Library Association
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Bob DeVries
Governmental Consultant Services, Inc.
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Ann Neff-Rohs
Grand Rapids Public Library
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Tammy Soule
Governmental Consultant Services, Inc.
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Think Space 2023-2024 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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Jack Buck
Richland Public Library
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Claire Meeker
Romeo District Library
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Valerie L. Meyerson
Petoskey District Library
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Juliane Morian
Rochester Hills Public Library
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Stef Reed
Flat River Community Library
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Polling and Messaging Workgroup
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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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Scott Duimstra
Capital Area District Libraries
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Dillon Geshel
Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Jenny Marr
Ferndale Area District Library
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Christine Peele
Detroit Public Library
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Michigan Library Awards 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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Chair: Cathleen Russ
West Bloomfield Township Library
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Lauren Arnsman
Troy Public Library
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Jan Davidson
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
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Marissa Lasoff-Santos
William P. Faust Public Library of Westland
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Christopher Potts
Capital Area District Libraries
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2024 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: Dena Moscheck
Bay County Library System
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Vice-Chair: Leigh Verburg
Kent District Library
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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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Tracy Bedford
Southfield Public Library
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Jackie Boss
Kent District Library
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Emily Brush
Novi Public Library
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Austin Gullett
Delta Township District Library
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Elyshia Hoekstra
Coopersville Area District Library
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Whitney Jones
Northville District Library
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Holly Kirsten
Chesterfield Township Library
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Wendy Lehman
Rochester Hills Public Library
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Kirsten Malzahn
Novi Public Library
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Kelly Marra
MacDonald Public Library
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Christina McIntosh
Salem South Lyon District 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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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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Chair: Jessica Keeler
Plymouth District Library
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Vice-Chair: Katie Perkey
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Taryn Allan
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Catherine Ash
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Heather Draft
Cromaine District Library
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Fillippa Genovese
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Nicole G. Gillies
Bloomfield Township Public Library
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Kristen Jayska
Livonia Public Library
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Cheryl Lawrence
Branch District Library
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Stephanie Martin
Clarkston Independence District Library
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Carol Robinson
Grand Ledge Area District Library
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Jeanette Smith
Romeo District Library
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Samantha Tomlinson
Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
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Damon Verdema
Ferndale Area District Library
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Robert White
Flint Public 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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Chair: Sarah Swiderski
Salem-South Lyon District Library
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Nathan Bartos
Kent District Library
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Lisa Boyd
Canton Public Library
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Georgina Broyles
MacDonald Public Library
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Josh Campeau
Pontiac Public Library
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Robert Chartrand
Capital Area District Libraries
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Kayla Dies
Paw Paw District Library
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Mollie Hall
Dexter District Library
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Sabrina Halsey
Orion Township Public Library
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Jody Helme-Day
Tecumseh District Library
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Samantha Ingerson
Sterling Heights Public Library
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Cristen Jackson
Flint Public Library
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Colleen Kingsbury
Plymouth District Library
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Anjelica Lyman
Commerce Township Community Library
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Julianne Novetsky
Warren Public Library
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Chelsea Pridmore
Clarkston Independence District Library
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Kelsey Schaeflein
Cromaine District Library
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Amanda Shepard
Herrick District Library
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Sarah Welch
Big Rapids Community Library
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Liz Wierenga
Kent District Library
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