Michigan Library Association

Meet the Candidates for the MLA 2023 Board 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! Click on their photos below to get to know the candidates for the 2023 Board Election.

Michigan Library Millages November 2022 Election Results

Check out our roundup of the November 8, 2022 election results for library millage issues on ballots around the state. We are proud of the library boards, staff, and supporters for their work on these campaigns and their dedication to supporting their libraries. The Library of Michigan provides a listing of Public Library Millage Election Results from 2010 to the present. View the results (pdf)

MLA's Leadership and the Intellectual Freedom Task Force Respond to Book Banning

MLA has been busy responding to media inquiries about book banning and the increase in material challenges in Michigan schools and public libraries. Check out some of the media published in the last month.

Note from Scott

March 24, 2023

Scott Duimstra Headshot As the list of candidates for MLA’s Board of Directors is released, I wanted to say a special note of thanks to those of you who put your name forward to run for an open seat on the Board. It isn’t the easiest thing to do, but as in life, you learn the most from those things that are most challenging. As you know, MLA relies on the work of their volunteers, and for those of you who are volunteering for the Board, a lot is required of you. But, professionally you receive a lot as well. What do you receive? Well, you receive the assurance that the work you do matters for libraries in our state. In your role, you work with MLA’s Executive Director Debbie Mikula and MLA staff to ensure that the organization is functioning to the best of its ability to fulfill its mission to “lead the advancement of all Michigan libraries through advocacy, education and engagement”. That is done by making sure MLA follows its strategic plan and priorities along with fulfilling its efforts in Intellection Freedom, Open Access, and Equity, Diversity, Accessibility, and Belonging.

Note From Debbie

For the past year, MLA has watched irresponsible and egregious legislation introduced in states like Texas, Florida, Missouri, and others, on libraries and book censorship. Yesterday, we acknowledged that we are not immune here in Michigan.

A northern Michigan legislator from Charlevoix Co. Representative Neil Friske (R-107) introduced (with no co-sponsors) House Bill 4136 which would amend the Library Privacy Act and require local public libraries to locate all sexually explicit and obscene material (not defined) in a restricted area of the library and only be accessible to those 18 years or older. Any individual finding the library out of compliance could file a complaint against the governing body of the library in court. If the court finds the library has failed to comply, the court would require the library to close until the violation has been resolved.

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