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President's Update - March 9, 2017
As I enter the final quarter of my term as president of MLA, I reflect on the opportunities I have had to see up front and personal how much goes on behind the scenes at the MLA office. Whether that is preparing for a...
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Executive Director's Desk - March 9, 2017
2018 MLA Leadership Academy Coming Soon
MLA Leadership Academy has been preparing future library leaders for more than a decade. While the program has evolved to better suit the current needs and time constrai...
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President's Update - February 9, 2017
MLA's educational opportunities help each of us to continuously grow. Growth and creativity go hand in hand with discomfort. "The comfort zone is the great enemy to creativity; moving beyond it necessitates intuiti...
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Executive Director's Desk - February 9, 2017
Governor Snyder’s Budget Proposals Holds State Aid to Libraries Steady
Yesterday, Governor Rick Snyder announced his proposed state budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. State aid to libraries remains con...
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Executive Director's Desk - January 12, 2017
The new year is always a good time to look at what we accomplished last year and to outline our goals for the new year. Although, both reflection and planning are productive and necessary, it's also importan...
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President's Update - January 12, 2017
Happy New Year!
Building library leaders and providing robust professional development are two of the values MLA espouses. In some of my recent readings, I gleaned some helpful advice relating to those values.
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Libraries provide essential community resources
Op-ed by State Rep. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake
The 396 Michigan public libraries serve five million children, teens and adults. Today, more than ever, libraries serve a critical need in our society. Our li...
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Follow up Your Call to Action With a Thank You
Your legislators stood up for libraries this week. They voted yes to secure library millages and prevent tax capture. Your outreach made that happen.
Now it's your turn. Please send a thank you to your Sena...
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Library Tax Capture Relief Bills Pass House and Senate and Head for Governor's Desk
Passage of SB 619-624 eliminates tax capture for libraries unless the tax capture has a bond or debt. The intent of these bills is clear. The legislature wants libraries ...
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Executive Director's Desk - December 8, 2016
With the new year quickly approaching, this is a good time to reflect on MLA's challenges and accomplishment over the past 12 months. This year MLA celebrated 125 years of successfully supporting libraries a...
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President's Update - December 8, 2016
Tis the season, when the hours of daylight are shorter, to put up lights to brighten the darkness and celebrate the December holidays. It is also the season for giving and being thankful for the gifts we have receive...
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Executive Director's Desk - November 10, 2016
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, grit in the context of behavior is defined as “firmness of character; indomitable spirit.” This topic came up in a recent discussion I had with MLA P...
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President's Update - November 10, 2016
At this year’s MLA Annual Conference we tried something new. In an effort to assist a burgeoning library project in need of funding and at the same time raise funds for MLA Scholarships, the Library SOUP proje...
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Executive Director's Desk - October 13, 2016
Kathleen’s article today highlights many of the exciting speakers and events scheduled for MLA 2016 in Lansing at the end of the month. As you are aware, each year the conference schedule is sp...
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President's Update - October 13, 2016
The MLA Annual Conference is almost here. There is still time to register if you haven t done so already. What a banner year – A celebration of the 125th Anniversary of MLA at the easy-to-reach Lansing Center. ...
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Executive Director's Desk - September 8, 2016
New Interest Group Leadership Task Force Accepting Members
The MLA Board of Directors is spearheading the formation of informal interest groups to foster member engagement in addition to the current MLA pr...
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President's Update - September 8, 2016
Fall is here. School is back in session. The Michigan Library Association conference is coming up soon. So much is happening that we can become overwhelmed or be energized – depending on how we view things.
M...
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Executive Director's Desk - August 11, 2016
One of my favorite quotes is from a simple truths book that I keep on my desk. It’s by Mac Anderson and Tom Feltenstein titled. “Change is good…You go first.” It talks about change be...
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President's Update - August 11, 2016
At the Howell Library we've begun a new strategic planning process. Our facilitator has challenged us to define our own highest purpose as an individual as well as the highest purpose of the library. This is no easy t...
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Executive Director's Desk - July 14, 2016
Congratulations Carla Hayden
By now most librarians have heard the great news that the Senate on Wednesday confirmed Carla D. Hayden to serve as the first African-American and the first woman to lead the Libra...