From the Associate Director's Desk - June 13, 2019

MLA has completed another successful programming year. We have placed more than one hundred eager volunteers and will begin our 2019-2020 committees and work groups this summer. We heartily thank those that served MLA this past year for their time and effort.

We had some wonderful networking, and idea development come out of the groups this year. If you or someone you know want to participate in helping develop programming, gain opportunities to exchange ideas with other libraries and library types, develop professionally, add to your resume - you name the reason - it isn't too late. Feel free to email Amber Sheerin at [email protected].

Updates From the MLA Academic Libraries Interest Group

While the academic year and the students it brings to our campus are the primary purpose our university library and others exist, the summer semester also provides an important contrast to the rest of the year. Summer semester, with its alternative class schedule and fewer students, creates a new rhythm for the library and allows us both collectively and individually to reset and prepare for the upcoming year. It's a gift and one that should be used wisely. Here are a few ways we plan to do so.

From the Associate Director's Desk - May 30, 2019

As the school year winds down (depending on how much snow your area got) and before summer reading explodes, 36 library staff will take time to attend MLA's last spring workshop. Executive Summit 2019 takes place tomorrow at the Library of Michigan and focuses on staff transition plans and finding top talent. We are so pleased to end our workshop year with another opportunity for librarians and library staff to engage with one another on important issues that impact the work they do.

MLA Advocacy - May 23, 2019

Senate Passes Narcan Bills

Senate Bills 200, 282 and 283 passed unanimously in the Senate Wednesday morning. These bills are tie-barred to House Bill 4367, which would provide liability protection for libraries when providing the life-saving opioid antidote naloxone, common brand name Narcan, to an overdosing patron. In March, the Michigan House of Representatives passed HB 4366 and 4367 on a 106 to 0 vote. These original bills were amended by senators to expand the reach to limit liability for additional municipalities and entities along with libraries.

Academic Libraries Interest Group Seeks Nominees for Chair-elect

The MLA Academic Libraries Interest Group is accepting nominations through May 31 for the 2019-2020 Chair-elect. This position serves for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2022. Academic Libraries Interest Group members will vote for a Chair-elect in June.

President's Update - May 9, 2019

As Michigan emerges into spring and new beginnings so do Gail Madziar and the Michigan Library Association (MLA). We said goodbye to Gail on Friday, May 3. Gail led MLA for six years through budget challenges, tax capture triumphs, Narcan legislation victories and so much more. A huge thank you to Gail for her passion and tremendous advocacy for Michigan libraries. Gail’s financial prowess, political savvy and business acumen proved to be exceptionally valuable in making MLA financially stable and our libraries well loved by many legislators. I wish Gail the best of luck in retirement and all her future endeavors.