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 Library of Congress.  

Hayden, who now leads Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library, will serve a 10-year term. The confirmation vote was 74-18. Like many state library associations, MLA board of directors issued a letter first to President Obama in support of Dr. Hayden and later offered full support for her confirmation by Congress. Thank you to all who joined us in contacting lawmakers on behalf of Dr. Hayden.

Is Your Library’s Website ADA Compliant?

The Library of Michigan has shared information that an initial complaint filed against the Michigan Department of Education MDE regarding website accessibility has been joined by a second complaint against public libraries and school districts in Michigan. Ensuring website accessibility can be a challenge and libraries should review their compliance.

http://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2016/07/04/michigan-woman-fights-accessib​le-websites-us-school-districts/86526716/

MLA Webinars Are Here

MLA is now offering webinars as another way to make professional development easier and more affordable for member librarians. Our first webinar on budgeting was hugely successful and the second one scheduled for August 4 covers the new FLSA overtime rules and how your library will be affected. Join us Aug 4, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. It’s just $25 for MLA members.

The U.S. Department of Labor published their final ruling on the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in May 2016. The rule, which will be effective December 1, significantly increases the minimum salary level for "white collar" employees to qualify as exempt from overtime pay requirements. Under the new rule, no employee who has a guaranteed salary of less than $47,476 will qualify as exempt under the executive, administrative, or professional exemptions.

MLA 2016 is at the Lansing Center and Registration is Open

Registration is open for MLA 2016 in Lansing. The successful Executive Exchange session exclusively for library deans, directors and leaders will again provide a chance to address those library issues that keep library leaders up at night. You’ll have a chance to talk with others who understand the challenges of running a library.

This year as you are making your professional development plan, remember to review the MLA scholarship opportunities. Workshops, Academic Libraries Conference, Spring Institute and Leadership Academy all have scholarships available.

Library of Michigan also offers stipends that can be used for MLA 2016 and other events. http://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/0,2351,7-160-18668_63014-359559--,00.html

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