2023 Michigan Library Awards Honorees

We are pleased to share the recipients of the 2023 Michigan Library Awards! The 2023 honorees were unveiled on Wednesday, October 18 during the Michigan Library Awards event in Kalamazoo at an evening of celebration. Each recipient was chosen through peer review for their outstanding achievements. Read more

A Public Library Bill: “Michigan Freedom to Read Act”

October 26, 2023

I would have never believed you two years ago if you told me that 80% of my work at MLA would be addressing book banning, censorship and intellectual freedom challenges. But the reality has set in and the pro-active work that MLA continues to institute, day in and day out, to combat these local challenges is to be commended. So many smart, talented and professional library directors, librarians and library workers are in my ear every day and I thank them for keeping me tuned in to their opinions, what is happening in their communities, what is keeping them up at night, and even their pride and incredible bravery in holding the line. 

Call for Nominations for the 2024 MLA Board of Directors Election

The Call for Nominations for candidates for the 2024 Board of Directors is open! Do you know someone who would be a great addition to the MLA Board of Directors? Submit a nomination! We also encourage you to self-nominate if you are interested in serving on the MLA Board. The Call for Nominations will be open through Friday, November 3.

October is Michigan Library Appreciation Month

Get ready to celebrate Michigan Library Appreciation Month! This October we are celebrating Michigan libraries and library staff and highlighting all the ways libraries serve their communities.

Join us in participating in Michigan Library Appreciation Month and help us highlight just how much of an impact our libraries have made in the lives of Michiganders.

Updates to MLA Strategic Plan

Since 2019, the MLA Board of Directors has spent time and energy developing a strategic direction for MLA. Each year MLA is dedicated to revisiting it, talking through our challenges and successes to remain relevant as we address the needs of the field.

In July 2021, July 2022, and August 2023, MLA gathered a small group of key stakeholders who reviewed the planning document and made updates that addressed achievements and changes for 2021-2023, 2022-2024, and 2023-2025.

Note From Dillon

September 28, 2023

Hello and welcome to another edition of MLA’s Primary Source! Just a couple of short months ago, I couldn’t have known I’d be writing this update as the soon-to-be MLA President. In October, I’ll move into the role of MLA President as Scott Duimstra steps down and takes on a new opportunity as Library Director of the Hennepin County Library in Minnesota. Congratulations to Scott and on behalf of MLA, I want to thank him for his exceptional leadership over the last year and beyond. Scott has been a thoughtful, measured leader as MLA President and among the MLA membership at large. We will miss his quick willingness to support Michigan libraries and MLA priorities, and wish him the best on his new journey.