News | Michigan Library Association

MLA 2022 Board of Directors Election Results

Congratulations to MLA's new Directors! Scott Duimstra, Capital Area District Libraries was voted President-elect. Tashia Miller, Washtenaw Community College was elected as ALA Councilor. Angela Badke, Ojibwa Community Library; Sophia Ward Brewer, Grand Rapids Community College; and Christine Peele, Detroit Public Library, were elected as Members-at-Large to serve three-year terms, beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2025.

Many thanks to all the candidates for demonstrating leadership by agreeing to run and to all our members who voted. We look forward to a great year! Please feel free to welcome and congratulate our new Directors!

Written by Deborah E. Mikula, MLA Executive Director

Letter From Debbie

For the past month, I have been thinking of (and documenting) all the wonderful accomplishments of MLA. The last few years have been extraordinary as evidenced by the increases in our advocacy efforts, our membership numbers and engagement, and attendance at our professional development activities. We have seen huge growth in meeting our mission and I am so proud to see the changes that make our association so strong and credible.

As we begin the process of orienting, inducting and engaging newly elected board members and officers on July 1 (see election results below), we are excited to include their input, wisdom, time and energy, as we continue to move MLA forward.

MLA Fund Updates

At the MLA March Board meeting, the Board of Directors approved shifting the focus of MLA savings to better serve and respond to the financial challenges of MLA members. Keeping intact the General Fund, Kaiser Fund, and Equity Fund – MLA Board members voted unanimously to merge the Advocacy Fund and the Intellectual Freedom funds (which will now be used to help with legal fees and board training) and to merge two education funds that will be used for scholarships to attend MLA events.

State of Michigan Budget Updates

All three State of Michigan FY2023 draft budgets have been published – from the Governor, the Senate, and from the House.

MDHHS Expands COVID Test-kit Partnership With Libraries

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has expanded its efforts to provide free, at-home testing kits to underserved areas of the state by providing test kits to additional libraries for a total of more than 150 locations participating in the program.

School Library Pilot Grants

The Michigan Department of Education has announced that application materials are available for section 802 school library pilot grants. Section 802 of Public Act 87 of 2021 (page 47) provides $800,000 in competitive funding to be awarded to local school districts headquartered in four counties. Learn more: 2022 - 033 Section 802 - Library Pilot Program Grants

2022 MLA Equity Fund Grant Applications Accepted Through June 3

The 2022 MLA Equity Fund Grant application is open through June 3, 2022. Equity Fund Grants aim to reduce financial barriers to professional development opportunities and support individuals currently underrepresented in the library profession. Please help us share this individual grant opportunity by sharing this information with colleagues and staff who are not currently MLA members. Learn more and apply at milibraries.org/mla-equity-fund