Michigan Library Association

MLA 2025 Ambassador Orientation

MLA Ambassadors: watch your email! You will receive workgroup and committee placement and orientation information soon!

MLA Statement on Civil Fines and Penal Fines

MLA’s statement in response to bills that attempt to siphon penal fines or civil fines away from libraries.

The Michigan Constitution states that all fines assessed for breaches of penal laws must be exclusively applied for the support of libraries. This provision has been in place since the first state constitution in 1835 and has been reaffirmed in subsequent constitutions. In addition to penal fines, Michigan law specifies that civil fines ordered under section 907 of the Michigan Vehicle Code should also exclusively be applied to support libraries.

2025 State Budget Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference

There is a wide disparity in the revenue projections for the upcoming fiscal years based on numbers from the Senate Fiscal Agency and the Department of Treasury. This is not a common occurrence.

Help Shape MLA’s Future – Join the Strategic Plan Review Session on June 9

As we develop MLA’s new three-year strategic plan in partnership with the Alliance for Library Impact, your perspective is essential to ensuring this roadmap reflects the needs of Michigan’s libraries.

Our strategic planning journey began with your voices. Through member surveys and stakeholder interviews, Alliance for Library Impact gathered member feedback and created a comprehensive learning report. Those insights guided our March 2025 planning retreat with the MLA Board, staff, and Strategic Planning Workgroup. Now, as we prepare to finalize this member-driven blueprint for 2025-2028, we ask for your feedback and help one more time.

Note From Debbie

May 22, 2025

A longtime and well-respected member of MLA came up to me at Advocacy Day while I was grabbing a cup of coffee. While I don’t remember her exact words, the sentiment went something like this…”You have done great things for MLA, and while we will miss you, I want you to know that you have set this organization up for success. You have instituted a succession plan for leadership that will guide us well into the future. I’ve been around a long time, and I don’t recall anyone doing this for MLA in the past. You have shown your professionalism and how much you care, from the start of your tenure to the very last day.”

Thank you, Julie Farkas, for your kind words and for validating the work that goes into the forward momentum of MLA. It is always good to hear that our members truly support and know the hard work to solidify the decisions we make.

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