MLA Advocacy - April 26, 2018

On Tuesday, the Senate Health Policy Committee took testimony on SB 828 and 829, which would provide liability protection for libraries when providing the life-saving opioid antidote naloxone, common brand name Narcan, to an overdosing patron.

Kristin Shelley, MLA Legislative Committee Chair and MLA President-elect gave an excellent overview of why the bills are needed. She also provided a heart wrenching story of a death that occurred at a library where she worked years ago. The committee heard first hand how a life might have been saved if naloxone had been available then.

2018-2019 Board of Directors Election Results

Congratulations to MLA's new directors elected by the membership. Michelle Boisvenue-Fox, Kent District Library was voted President-elect. Richard Schneider was elected Treasurer, Jennifer Dean, University of Detroit Mercy was elected ALA Councilor and Ryan Wieber, Kalamazoo Public Library was elected as member-at-large. Additionally Karen Knox, Orion Township Public Library will be completing Michelle Boisvenue-Fox's at large term through 2019. Their terms begin July 1, 2018.
 
Many thanks to all the candidates for demonstrating leadership by agreeing to run and to all our members who actively voted. We look forward to a great year!

Academic Libraries Interest Group Update: Free ACRL Webinar on Curriculum Mapping

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.

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.

MLA Leadership Development - April 12, 2018

This year as immediate past president, it was my privilege to chair the MLA Board of Directors Nominating Committee. It is the nominating committee's responsibility to present a slate of candidates to the Board for their approval.

It is important to maintain and continually develop a strong board for MLA. The Nominating Committee looks for well-rounded candidates, possessing some of the following leadership traits or skills: big picture focus/global outlook, change agent, innovative, open-minded and knowledge of current issues. When selecting candidates we take into account the candidate's contributions to MLA via committee and work group membership and legislative and advocacy participation. Greater weight is given to those candidates exhibiting continued support and service to MLA. Also, care is taken to consider the geographic representation of the current board makeup during the selection of possible future board members. This is to ensure a good balance of candidates from various regions of the state.