MLA 2025 Board Election Results

The votes are in! MLA held elections from March 31– April 21. This year MLA members voted for an MLA President-elect and four Member-at-Large Board positions.

One of the benefits and responsibilities of membership is the opportunity to vote for the leadership of the association. Thank you to all MLA members who voted.

And, many thanks to all the candidates for demonstrating leadership by agreeing to run. Our new Directors will serve for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028.

Meet MLA's new Directors!

ALA State of America's Libraries Report 2025

During National Library Week on April 7, the American Library Association (ALA) released its annual snapshot of library trends.

Read about the issues impacting libraries and find out which books made the Top Ten Most Challenged Books list in the State of America’s Libraries 2025 Report.

Michigan Library Advocacy Day will Focus on Advocating for MeL Funding

On Wednesday, April 30, library supporters from all over Michigan will gather at the Capitol in Lansing to meet with legislators to advocate for all Michigan libraries and shine a light on the incredible impact libraries make on our communities! Our ASK of Michigan Legislators: Fund MeL, the Library of Michigan’s interlibrary loan program, and other statewide initiatives at $6.74 million in FY 2026, increasing the state’s investment by $5 million.

Review our MeL Fact Sheet and talking points here (pdf)

Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks New Episode

Check out the latest episode of Chapter & Verse, From Shelves to Support: Evolving the Library Experience. In this episode, hosts Debbie Mikula and Andrea Estelle sit down with Sarah Skinner, director of the Bridgman Public Library in Bridgman, Michigan. Sarah reflects on her path to library leadership, sharing key moments that shaped her career and community impact. She highlights standout initiatives like Project Connect and discusses the evolving role of libraries as vital hubs for connection, support, and access to essential services. The conversation also touches on the challenges libraries face today, including funding concerns and the ongoing push to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

MLA Welcomes New Staff

“Hi, I’m Mackenzie — a proud Michigan native and recent Michigan State grad! In my free time I enjoy skiing and being outdoors. I’m so excited to be working with MLA!” – Mackenzie Hanfland, MLA Event Coordinator

The MLA staff are welcoming a new member to our team this month! We are pleased to announce that Mackenzie Hanfland has joined the MLA staff this week as our new Event Coordinator! Mackenzie is a recent graduate from Michigan State and will be working with Amber Sheerin, who is moving into a new role as Program Director. “I am so excited to welcome Mackenzie to the MLA team and work alongside her as we continue to grow MLA events and professional development opportunities for our members,” said Amber Sheerin, MLA Program Director. “My role will continue to work on our events and help support our great conference workgroups, but is expanding to take on some new responsibilities, so Mackenzie’s experience and expertise will be a great asset to our organization.”

Nonprofit Letter to Michigan's Congressional Delegation

MLA, along with more than 500 institutions from Michigan’s nonpartisan, nonprofit and philanthropic sector, has signed on to a letter to Congressional leaders to voice our concerns about the continued efforts to withhold federal funding committed to nonprofits.