From the President’s Desk: A New Chapter for MLA

As I begin my term as President of the Michigan Library Association Board, I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve this organization and its incredible members. The year ahead is a transformative one, and I’m honored to help guide the implementation of MLA’s newly adopted strategic plan. Our collective vision includes strengthening relationships with policymakers, expanding access to professional development, and deepening engagement with our members. Each of the four strategic directions speaks to MLA’s commitment to creating a stronger, more connected library community - one where our voices are heard, our services are visible, and our profession is supported at every level.

Another major focus this year is the implementation of the $600,000 grant MLA received from the Mellon Foundation to support the MI Right to Read campaign. This transformative investment will allow us to scale up our fight against censorship, expand our advocacy tools, support the incredible work of library professionals throughout Michigan, and reach even more communities with our message that every Michigander deserves free and open access to information. With these resources, we’ll continue to build partnerships, develop tools for libraries, and keep intellectual freedom at the forefront of our shared mission.

Finally, the MLA Board has begun the critical work of selecting a permanent Executive Director. With a search committee already in place, we’ll soon choose a recruitment firm to guide the process, with the position officially posted this October and a final decision anticipated in February 2026. This leadership transition will be a pivotal moment in MLA’s future, and I am committed to ensuring a transparent, thoughtful process. I look forward to working with all of you in the year ahead as we advance MLA’s mission together.