Meet the Candidates for the MLA 2023 Election

MLA will hold elections from April 3 – 24, 2023. This year MLA members will vote for an MLA President-elect and four Member-at-Large Board positions. These positions will serve for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2026.

Meet the candidates! Get to know the candidates for the 2023 Board Election below. Eligible members will receive an email on April 3 with instructions and a link to vote.

You will need to log in to access the ballot. Forgot your password? You can request a password reset by visiting this link and inputting your primary email address: Forgot your password?

Please note:

• According to MLA Bylaws, you must be an active member in one of the following categories to vote: Organizational Members, Affiliated and Unaffiliated Individual Members, Unaffiliated Library Directors, Affiliated and Unaffiliated Trustee Members, Retirees, Lifetime Members, and Students shall be entitled to vote in all matters submitted to a vote of the Members. Please note: Linked Trustees are not eligible to vote.

• The ballot form can only be submitted once so please review your options carefully before hitting submit. 
  

• When voting for Member-at-Large board positions, please select a maximum of four candidates. If you wish to select less than four, please also select the checkbox next to "No Additional Votes". Ballots with more than four candidates selected will be considered void and not counted.

CAST YOUR VOTE!

President-elect

Dillon Geshel
Director, Superiorland Library Cooperative

   

 

Member-at-Large

Bryonna Barton
Director, Eaton Rapids Area District Library

John Clexton
Director, Gladwin County District Library

Mary Higginbottom Johnson
Associate Director of Operations, Muskegon Area District Library

Michele Howard
Director, Traverse Area District Library

Jessica Keyser 
Director, Grosse Pointe Public Library

Kristin Shelley
Director, East Lansing Public Library

Shaunna Martz 
Regional Manager II, Kent District Library

Kate Van Auken 
Director, White Pine Library Cooperative

Lisa Waskin 
Director, Superior District Library

 

 

President-elect

Dillon Geshel
Director, Superiorland Library Cooperative

I am running for MLA President-Elect because I want to put my twelve years of library experience to work for Michigan libraries. As a current MLA board member and the chair of MLA's Intellectual Freedom Task Force, my volunteer involvement with the organization has given me a well-rounded understanding of MLA's vision, mission and broad ability to serve libraries across the state. In my role as Director of the Superiorland Library Cooperative, I work closely with multi-type libraries across Michigan's Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Michigan, and I'm eager to bring that collaborative spirit to the MLA President-Elect role. If elected, I will further MLA's mission to lead the advancement of all Michigan libraries by ensuring library workers and advocates have the tools, training and support they need to navigate challenges to intellectual freedom,  uphold diverse collections, and maintain inclusive programs and support for all Michigan libraries.

Member-at-Large

Bryonna Barton
Director, Eaton Rapids Area District Library           

Bryonna Barton is a seasoned librarian professional residing in Lansing, Michigan. Barton quickly became enamored with local service in 2012 after beginning her career in her hometown of Mulliken, Michigan, at the Mulliken District Library. Recognizing her passion, she attended Wayne State University, earning a Masters of Library and Information Science and a Public Services to Children and Young Adults certification in Dec. 2021.

Before graduating, Barton accepted a position as Library Director for the Hillsdale Community Library in Nov. 2021. Her activism for intellectual freedom began soon after select board members and the community began challenging books. Most recently, joining the Eaton Rapids Area District Library in June of 2022, Barton continues to advance her career and strengthen the conviction of activists nationwide.

Barton is an active member of the Michigan Library Association Intellectual Freedom Task Force and has become a thought leader on intellectual freedom. Her name can be found in articles written for the American Library Association and the Library Journal.

John Clexton
Director, Gladwin County District Library

Looking back on my 25 years of service in public libraries in urban, suburban, and rural settings, I feel these institutions have not only maintained the heartbeats of so many communities but are also survival outlets for many. That is why I feel that I am the right candidate to run for the board. Equity is a fundamental foundation of libraries. Fair and impartial, libraries are nonpolitical and should never be used by any political party to push an agenda. We are a safe space and serve impartial information. Diversity is critical; we MUST serve all without judgment. We are a melting pot of genders and races. social statuses, ethnicities, sexual orientations, etc.  Accessibility is physical, visual, auditory, cognitive, and neurological. As we proclaim that libraries are for everyone, we must make sure our libraries are accessible. We need to fight those challenges, reestablish boundaries that have been broken, and continue to fight for everyone of any race, ethnicity, or gender. These are rough waters for not only Michigan libraries but libraries nationwide. My goals are simple: roll up my sleeves, get dirty with issues, inform the membership, and fight as one. Belonging is the reason I have chosen the path of librarianship, as the library is dear to me as a family member. This should be the same for not only you as library staff but even more so for our patrons. This is why I feel impassioned to serve as a board member for you. 

Mary Higginbottom Johnson
Associate Director of Operations, Muskegon Area District Library

My name is Mary Higginbottom-Johnson and I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Michigan Library Association Board of Directors. I spent the bulk of my career at Genesee District Library (GDL) and thoroughly enjoyed my tenure there. After 19 years, I retired from GDL and moved to Muskegon. My goal at that time was to enjoy my retirement. However, I was retired for only a short time before I was asked by Kelly Richards, my mentor and former director, to join his team as Branch Operations Manager at the Muskegon Area District Library (MADL). Making the transition from managing nineteen locations at GDL to MADL which has ten branches and a bookmobile was a natural fit. In addition to working in Michigan libraries, I have also served simultaneously on library boards in both Davison and Fenton, Michigan for several years as well as chaired the Genesee District Library Foundation. If I am elected to the board of directors, my major areas of focus would be providing our members with a wide range of professional development opportunities and encouraging libraries to strengthen their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. I believe my background and my 20+ years of working in Michigan public libraries make me a strong candidate to serve on MLA's Board of Directors. If elected, I would look forward to working with other board members, staff, and volunteers to continue to make the Michigan Library Association a great organization that continues to advocate for Michigan libraries and their employees.

Michele Howard
Director, Traverse Area District Library

As a professional librarian for 28 years, I have worked in many libraries and locations which makes me an excellent candidate for the MLA Board Member At-Large.  I understand how important all of our libraries are to our communities as I have worked in private, higher education, and public libraries in Detroit, East Lansing, and now, Traverse City.  While all those libraries have vastly different user groups, what unites us is a love of information and a desire to serve our patrons. My experience on various Boards includes volunteer experience such as small boards like a school PTO and local event and non-profit boards, all the way to being an elected official as a City Commissioner and Planning Commissioner for the City of Traverse City. I understand the importance of collaborations, negotiations, and when you just have to stand up for what you believe in and not be afraid to do it. My goal if elected to the MLA Board would be to further the already excellent work the current board has done regarding the strategic plan and support the growth and reputation of libraries, librarians, and staff throughout the state. I would do this by furthering my education on EDI best practices, meeting with fellow librarians, being an active leader at MLA, and meeting with elected officials and fellow community leaders. 

Jessica Keyser
Director, Grosse Pointe Public Library

I am running for a seat on the MLA board because I feel compelled to serve an institution and profession that has made a profound impact on my life. Libraries have provided a space for connection and inspiration to me since childhood, and a career in public libraries has given me a front-row seat to see how these institutions transform lives every day for people from all walks of life. Librarians are on the front lines in defending intellectual freedom and everyone's right to read in the United States. If elected to the MLA board, I would develop and strengthen our relationships with other organizations throughout the state who share our goals of ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are represented in our libraries and that everyone has access to information to be empowered to be active participants in our democracy. I engage in this work in my own community by making presentations to civic groups such as the local chapter of our League of Women Voters and Rotary club. In doing so, I have developed allies for the Library in our community who are poised to defend us if we are ambushed with calls for censorship in the future. 

Kristin Shelley
Director, East Lansing Public Library 

I would like to be considered for the Michigan Library Association (MLA) Board because I have experience serving on MLA committees (statewide marketing,  legislative/advocacy, intellectual freedom, MLA Board (past president and current treasurer), and the former PDNC committee).  These experiences have given me an opportunity to see MLA as an organization in action and what it needs to do to successfully advocate, engage and educate libraries and library staff members. As a member of MLA, I have seen it evolve over the past few years to be more proactive on issues such as intellectual freedom,  library privacy and diversity, equity, inclusion., accessibility, and belonging.  I want to work with the MLA organization to meet and exceed these goals. Libraries have continuously retooled themselves to remain relevant and to be essential in their communities, schools, and universities. I will work with the MLA organization to ensure every library is relevant and essential. I have used my voice to encourage more diversity in the MLA organization on all levels and to advocate for the right to read, more library funding, and library privacy. As long as I have a voice, I will continue to promote and work for these values.

Shaunna Martz
Regional Manager II, Kent District Library 

Growth-oriented, customer-focused Library Management professional with a 17-year career of progressively increasing roles at Kent District Library including 9 years of supervisory experience. Held key roles in opening/re-opening 2 branches. Leads with kindness, authenticity, and integrity.  Curious, innovative, and collaborative in finding solutions, building teams, and improving library operations to meet goals. Advancing Michigan libraries through advocacy, education and engagement on intellectual freedom are among my goals for becoming an MLA Board member. Promoting inclusion and accessibility while enhancing diverse collections are among my greatest passions.

Kate Van Auken
Director, White Pine Library Cooperative

For 2 years, I have been honored to serve on the MLA Board.  I have served on the Nominating and Leadership Committee as well as the Bylaws Committee where DEI and other inclusive initiatives are always at the forefront of conversations.  When I first ran for the MLA Board in 2020, my goal was to encourage more White Pine Library Cooperative (WPLC) members to join our state association.  To realize this goal, I, along with the WPLC Board, created a Library Association Reimbursement Program where association memberships, like MLAs, would be reimbursed for all our members.  This is a huge step in providing access for our smaller libraries, where 88% are Class 3 or smaller, and whose budget may not have allowed for membership in the past.  Our Cooperative website has also dedicated an entire area to Intellectual Freedom Resources including policies and procedures, training, collection development examples, and toolkits.  I would be grateful for another opportunity to help continue the mission and goals of MLA which focus on leading the advancement of all Michigan libraries through advocacy, education, and engagement.

Lisa Waskin
Director, Superior District Library

Being a part of the Michigan Library Association board is important to me personally because I feel that this organization provides so many good resources and opportunities to learn and grow for its members, and I want to be a part of that vision for Michigan. Not everyone has the ability to be involved, so I feel that my task as a board member is to serve the people at all of the libraries and be their voice at the state level, and also to support my colleagues as much as possible.  As a current board member, I have had the absolute privilege to be able to respond to the needs of the library community, and to educate myself on the important issues. I feel strongly that MLA board members need to understand not just the general role of libraries in today's society, but we need to understand the challenges, needs, goals, and dreams of our members, as well as how to help them deal with the ever-changing library landscape. I also strive to be educated on the issues and cultivate an awareness of how I can help as well as being open to learning from other members. To be a better board member, I am also willing to do the research, follow the policies and bylaws set forth by the board, and support equality and access for all. Finally, I believe that having a good understanding of current trends is important, so taking the time to attend workshops and conferences that help keep me informed on the issues impacting all types of libraries is a priority. Not only is it something I enjoy, but I hope I can make connections with other librarians around Michigan that will benefit us all.