Welcome to MLA's New Social Media Strategist Intern

Earlier this month, the MLA staff welcomed Thejas Varma to the MLA team as our Summer Semester 2023 Social Media Strategist Intern.

Michigan Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference

Every six months economic forecasters come together to project revenues for the State of Michigan upon which the next fiscal year budget is created. On May 19, these forecasters predicted that revenues will be lower than what was predicted last January, due in part to purposeful policy plans implemented by the Whitmer administration including major tax relief policies and business incentives, and an income tax cut.

What Do Michiganders Really Think? MLA Public Opinion Survey on Public Libraries And Book Banning

In March 2023, the Michigan Library Association contracted with EPIC-MRA, a full-service survey research firm with expertise in Public Opinion Surveys and Market Research Studies to conduct a statewide survey on library issues. While we have been using national studies to prove that book banning and censorship issues are not tolerated by the majority of voters in the country, we now have solid Michigan data to back this up.

Note From Debbie

A new fiscal year, which begins on July 1^st, is coming up fast and MLA is again preparing to look over our strategic plan, priorities and direction.  I know you will all agree that our world has changed quite drastically, and the library profession must address challenges that a few short years ago were nowhere on our radar. What was important yesterday, may now be irrelevant. Challenges that once were thought solved…back on the plate.

In 2019, the MLA Board adopted a new mission, and a new vision statement that we continue to believe are relevant, address the needs of the field, and address the achievements of MLA. 

MLA’s mission – The Michigan Library Association will lead the advancement of all libraries through advocacy, education and engagement.

MLA’s vision – The Michigan Library Association is an indispensable resource and valued leader, partner and advocate for Michigan libraries.

These statements guide our work. At the same time, we also took time to develop a robust and deep-rooted set of guiding principles and beliefs – diving deep to find commonly held truths that define our culture and beliefs. Our way of working is equally important as what we do. If we are to be effective, we must protect and advocate for these guiding principles in all that we undertake – and right now, our world demands it of us. 

Youth Literary Awards Top Ten Titles

Check out the top titles of the 2023 Mitten, YouPer and Thumbs Up! Awards! Flyers, awards seals, and award banners are available and free to use. Please use these resources at your library to help us promote MLA Youth Literary Awards and the amazing job our workgroups do in selecting the very best books for youth! Download the Top Ten List Flyers linked below.

The winners and honor books will be announced at the 2023 MLA Youth Literary Awards event: Save the date for Friday, June 16 at 10:00 AM, and plan to watch the announcement on MLA's Facebook page!

2023 MLA Equity Fund Grants

The 2023 MLA Equity Fund Grant application is open through June 2, 2023. Equity Fund Grants aim to reduce financial barriers to professional development opportunities, support individuals currently underrepresented in the library profession, and uplift the professional development of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, North African, and Middle Eastern individuals. Funds provide resources to be used for memberships, attendance at workshops, educational events, or conferences of the applicants’ choosing, or for other purposes that applicants believe increase their ability to impact and transform the library profession.