Michigan Library Association

Written by Gail Madziar, MLA Executive Director

Executive Director's Desk - April 12, 2018

Does your leadership team apply the elements of change management and strategic leadership to their decision making?

What are strategic leadership skills?

It has been said, the more unpredictable the environment, the greater the opportunity-if you have the leadership skills to capitalize on it. That means being a strategic leader. According to the Wharton School, strategic leaders are constantly vigilant, honing their ability to anticipate by scanning the environment for signals of change. Strategic thinkers question the status quo. They challenge their own and others' assumptions and encourage divergent points of view before taking action. This requires patience, courage, and an open mind.

Written by Steven K. Bowers, 2017-2018 MLA President

President's Update - February 8, 2018

For some of us, it's annual review time. For me, it's good to have a time to think about what I did in the past year and to plan ahead with goals for the coming months. This year at work we were really encouraged to think about our recently identified pillars of focus, and to tie each of our goals to those strategic areas, including: Student Success, Community Engagement, Digital Publishing and Scholarship, and Leadership and Organizational Development. This month I would like to focus on Leadership.

Written by Steven K. Bowers, 2017-2018 MLA President

President's Update - April 12, 2018

This month I want to send an encouraging welcome to the MLA Academic Libraries Interest Group! Last month I noted that the group will be led by Monique Oldfield (Wayne State University) and Jill Sodt (Mott Community College) this year. Make sure to check the MLA newsletter to take a look at their article about getting the group started. I want to thank them and the MLA office for all of the work they have already done to help the group get going.

Written by Steven K. Bowers, 2017-2018 MLA President

President's Update - March 8, 2018

Special libraries, public libraries, academic libraries, school libraries. Those of us working in libraries tend to classify library types into divisions. I guess it's in our nature to organize information. But an interesting thing to note is that most of the general public, including most legislators, don't see those divides. They are pro-libraries (hopefully) and they see us all as one. That's good news, I think, and that is part of why the MLA mission is to support all libraries in Michigan.

Written by Steven K. Bowers, 2017-2018 MLA President

President's Update - May 10, 2018

I was able to attend so many great events this past month and some more good ones are coming up. Both speakers for the recent human resources workshop on difficult conversations were excellent. They really knew how to focus in on helping employees succeed at doing their jobs well, and how to prevent uncomfortable situations that none of us want to encounter. There was a nice crowd at the event and we wrapped up with very engaging table talks.