Print
Written by Kristin Shelley, 2018-2019 MLA President   

President's Update - January 10, 2019

MLA 2018-19 President Kristin Shelley

Happy New Year! With a new year comes resolutions and the aspirations of new goals. This year the Michigan Library Association Board's top priority is to search for, select, hire and onboard a new MLA director. The search committee has spoken with the recruiter from ASAE several times. The recruiter is writing a job posting that will be up and posted by February 1. We feel confident that the recruiter knows what MLA needs and wants in our next leader. As the search progresses, please share with me your ideas, hopes and suggestions in regard to our new director.

As you develop your own goals for 2019, please consider becoming an even more active member of MLA by joining committees, attending professional development opportunities and running for MLA office. To quote Gandhi, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world." If not the world, be the change you wish to see in MLA!

There are great events coming up and registration is open for spring workshops, Academic Libraries and Spring Institute. There are workshops planned on everything from human resources to community collaborations to library hospitality to marketing. Check out more information on these and other development opportunities at www.milibraries.org

One of my personal goals for 2019 is to work on empowering the people around me even more. Libraries, by our nature, encourage lifelong learning, sharing of information, building community and enhancing creativity. MLA's mentorship program provides an opportunity to empower our library colleagues. It is a great way to develop skills and a support group. If you have always wanted to be a mentor or have always wanted to be mentored, but did not know how to go about connecting, visit www.milibraries.org/mentor-program for wonderful information about MLA's mentorship program and how to get started either as a mentor or mentee. You just might have fun!

Whatever your goals are for 2019, please know that MLA will be working for you-searching for the next director; advocating to the new state legislators and the governor for all libraries; and providing growth opportunities for library staff.

Back to news