Michigan Library Association

MLA Advocacy - April 25, 2019

House Passes Library Protection for Narcan Use

Today the Senate Health Policy and Human Services Committee heard testimony from MLA President Kristin Shelley and MLA Executive Director Gail Madziar on HB 4367 and SB 200. Earlier this month on a 106 to 0 vote the Michigan House of Representatives passed HB 4366 and 4367 which would provide liability protection for libraries when providing the life-saving opioid antidote naloxone, common brand name Narcan, to an overdosing patron. Those original bills were amended by senators to expand the reach to limit liability for additional municipalities and entities along with libraries. We expect the bills to pass out of committee to the Senate floor next week.

MLA Advocacy - March 28, 2019

House Passes Library Protection for Narcan Use

On a 106 to 0 vote the Michigan House of Representatives passed HB 4366 and 4367 which would provide liability protection for libraries when providing the life-saving opioid antidote naloxone, common brand name Narcan, to an overdosing patron. The bills are now headed for the Senate.

MLA Advocacy - February 28, 2019

State Budget Due March 5

The Governor's budget will be proposed on March 5. At that time we will have an indication of the administration's priorities. Once we are aware of the library support we can expect from the governor, we can begin building our support among the legislature. It is unlikely we will see a budget completed prior to the summer break.

Written by Deborah E. Mikula, MLA Executive Director

Letter From Debbie - A Sneak Peek at THINK SPACE!

August 26, 2021

The world is a complex place, and our workplaces are only getting more complicated and challenging to navigate and manage. Michigan libraries included. For close to 18 months, since the pandemic began, MLA has pivoted, molded, shaped, and continues to spin new ideas based on a new reality. We are planning for our future. We provided rapid answers when they were needed. We incorporated solutions outside of our normal channels. We unleashed an entrepreneurial spirit. And we cultivated a more open, questioning climate.

We didn’t waste a moment!

This window of opportunity led us to have more conversations with the leadership of MLA and our library directors. To meet the expressed demand that they shared for higher-level educational content, MLA is excited to add to our professional development plate. Designed by library directors for library directors, it is called THINK SPACE and is an all-inclusive event including sessions, overnights, meals, shuttles, tours, hallways conversations, and the opportunity to build deeper, lasting relationships with other directors and deans of libraries throughout Michigan.

MLA Advocacy - January 24, 2019

Practice Advocacy Every Day

The new legislature is getting settled and our new Governor is gearing up for her first State of the State on February 5. We're busy figuring out the new committee members and who could have a big impact on state aid to libraries this year. We'll be meeting with new legislators soon and recommend that you reach out to your new elected officials and invite them into the library for a tour, coffee hour, or any community event.

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