Executive Director's Desk - January 12, 2017

The new year is always a good time to look at what we accomplished last year and to outline our goals for the new year. Although, both reflection and planning are productive and necessary, it's also important to appreciate where we are in the moment. Here are some observations:

• First, the obvious, we're smack dab in the middle of a Michigan winter-almost mild one day and then blustery arctic weather the next.
• A new annual conference workgroup is well into planning for keynotes and some new and fun activities for MLA2017 which is back in Lansing this year.
• Academic Libraries workgroup has developed a program on social justice that is appealing to librarians across the board and have an innovative virtual poster session planned.
• Spring Institute is bringing in renowned author Cory Doctorow to Frankenmuth on Friday, March 31, 2017
• The new MLA Interest groups are well on their way to fruition and should be up and running soon.
• We're enjoying a successful step in a long fought battle for library tax capture relief.
• MLA Board of Directors continues to take their strategic governance to heart moving MLA in a direction to make a positive impact on the future of libraries and library professionals. They are looking at new opportunities that can help make your job more productive and your library more successful while saving you some money at the same time.

Some reflections on 2016 include communicating with the White House and the governor's office and the important assignment of preparing our future library leaders for their turn at taking the helm.

• We've written letters to the governor asking last January for a veto of SB 571 and this January for approval of SB 619-624 legislation: all seriously impacting the future of our libraries.
• We supported the nomination of Carla Hayden for Librarian of Congress with a letter to President Obama.
• We graduated a group from our very successful and expanded MLA mentor program.
• MLA Leadership Academy wrapped up with a crop of newly minted library leaders ready for their next step.
• We opened the door for tax capture relief not only for libraries but all special millages - a goal MLA has been pursuing for years.
• We defeated a threat to our own freedom of speech when MLA helped to secure a permanent injunction against PA 269 which impeded libraries' ability to communicate with their communities about millage proposals. This would have been devastating to our libraries' ability to pass millages.
• MLA efforts defeated the diversion of penal fines with HB 4651. This bill amends the motor vehicle codes and increases fines for motorcycle violations. Thanks to MLA efforts these additional fines will be dedicated to public libraries. This was just one of three attempts at diverting penal fines this year.

When I look at our accomplishments for 2016, one thing stands out. They were all successful because of teamwork. MLA member volunteers, MLA leadership, our GCSI lobbyists and your MLA staff worked together to see success.

Many hours of volunteer efforts went into the successful conferences, seminars and webinars. Hundreds of librarians and library supporters came out in support MLA's advocacy efforts this past year. Every library, large or small, public or academic, is impacted by policies enacted by our legislature. And, you understood that we must all take action when necessary to ensure our libraries are protected.

Goals for 2017 will focus on the successful future of librarianship and legislative advocacy for our libraries as MLA remains diligent in watching for policies that could impact our funding and our ability to serve our patrons.

We continue MLA's mission into the next 125 years.

Happy New Year.

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