President's Update - May 9, 2019

As Michigan emerges into spring and new beginnings so do Gail Madziar and the Michigan Library Association (MLA). We said goodbye to Gail on Friday, May 3. Gail led MLA for six years through budget challenges, tax capture triumphs, Narcan legislation victories and so much more. A huge thank you to Gail for her passion and tremendous advocacy for Michigan libraries. Gail’s financial prowess, political savvy and business acumen proved to be exceptionally valuable in making MLA financially stable and our libraries well loved by many legislators. I wish Gail the best of luck in retirement and all her future endeavors.

Michigan Library Association Announces New Executive Director

May 9, 2019                                                                     
Contact: Romy Fitschen, (517) 394-2774 ext. 226     

LANSING – The Michigan Library Association (MLA) Board of Directors is happy to announce the appointment of Deborah E. Mikula (Debbie) as the association’s new Executive Director. She will assume the role beginning June 24. Mikula succeeds Gail Madziar who retired from the association on May 3.

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 2019-2020 Board of Directors Election Results

Congratulations to MLA's new directors elected by the membership. Julia Eisenstein, University of Detroit Mercy was voted President-elect. Scott Duimstra, Capital Area District Libraries, Karen Knox, Orion Township Public Library, Mary Freier, Northern Michigan University and Kelly Richards, Muskegon Area District Library, were elected as members-at-large. New board members will serve for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 2022.

President's Update - April 11, 2019

It is National Library Week! Since 1958, libraries across the country have been celebrating National Library Week by acknowledging our patrons, staff, and all the innovative and engaging services we provide our communities. The American Library Association established this year’s theme as Libraries = Strong Communities.

Effective Succession Planning

Succession planning continues to be a popular topic at the MLA office as we await the selection of a new executive director. In addition, I continue to observe a growing number of library director openings as well as several Coops in search of new leadership.