MI Vote Counts

MI Vote Counts is a weekly non-partisan virtual series hosted by the Michigan Department of State and Michigan Bureau of Elections. Join the series to help equip Michigan voters with fact-based election information and tips on how every voter can become an active bystander in support of Michigan’s democracy and elections.

$500,000 Added to FY23 State Aid to Libraries

July 1, 2022

MLA Members and Friends,

Your work to advocate for increased investment in libraries has again been rewarded. 

For the third straight year, MLA is proud to announce an additional $500,000 has been included in the State of Michigan budget for State Aid to Libraries. In addition, $800,000 was allocated for the library pilot program that addresses a partnership between public and school libraries. Resources were also included for the Poet Laureate ($100,000), and $1.2 million was awarded through an enhancement grant to the Inkster Library. (One hundred unique projects were identified to receive $205 million in the newly released budget.)

MLA 2022 Youth Literary Awards

On Friday, May 27 we announced the winners of the 2022 Mitten, YouPer, and Thumbs Up! Awards! Check out the video below or visit us on the web at milibraries.org/youth-literary-awards to learn more. Click here to view the announcement video on Facebook and give it a share and a like!

MI Library Is Now

For more promotional materials, including printable and digital graphics, visit: MiLibraryIsNow.com/resources and use the password: Mi832022!

Please continue to share your library's new tools and resources with your patrons and communities as we progress into the summer, and remember to tag the Michigan Library Association whenever you are posting on social media!

MLA Code of Conduct

On June 10, the MLA Board approved a new Code of Conduct for MLA's Board, staff, Ambassadors, and all event attendees, addressing conduct at all MLA Functions. MLA will respond aggressively and immediately to any violations of unjust or discriminatory conduct (gender, age, race, religion, political affiliation, marital status, etc); sexual harassment; violence, threats and criminal acts; as well as excessive drinking. View the MLA Code of Conduct (pdf).

MLA Equity Fund Grant Awardees Announced

MLA Equity Fund Grants aim to reduce financial barriers to professional development opportunities and support individuals currently underrepresented in the library profession. It is our pleasure to announce the recipients of MLA's Equity Fund Grants! We are pleased to announce that Loretta Hunter, Wayne County Community College Library; Sandra De La Cruz Tello, Kalamazoo Public Library; and Mary Higginbottom-Johnson, Muskegon Area District Library have been awarded grant funds.