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Executive Director's Desk - December 14, 2017
2017 - a Landmark Year for Michigan Libraries
2017 was a milestone year for MLA and libraries in Michigan. Our efforts garnered additional library funding with tax capture relief, important tax reimburseme...
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President's Update - December 14, 2017
A recurring theme I have been picking up on lately, again, is change. This isn't really a note on change, but rather some musings on doing things differently, on trying something new, on asking why we do or don't ...
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President's Update - November 9, 2017
Whether you were able to join us for the MLA conference last month, or not, I wanted to note a few things I thought were worth sharing. For those of you that attended conference, I want to thank you for participati...
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Executive Director's Desk - November 9, 2017
One of my favorite quotes about leadership is from Peter Drucker who said, "management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." This is so appropriate for our library leaders. Not only a...
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Executive Director's Desk - October 12, 2017
We call the Michigan Library Association Annual Conference the premier professional development event in the state. MLA members from across every geographical area and library size and type work together ove...
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President's Update - October 12, 2017
Hello fellow Michigan Library Association members! I am excited to be headed to the Annual Conference this month! I am waiting to see how each of us will get involved with MLA and share in meeting with others who h...
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MLA Seeks 2018-2019 Board Member Nominations
The MLA Board of Directors is seeking candidates for the 2018-2019 Board Election. In April members will vote for a MLA President Elect, Treasurer, ALA Councilor and one member-at-large board positio...
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Executive Director's Desk - September 14, 2017
Sometimes you Should do Nothing
As executive director for the Michigan Library Association for almost five years I can tell you one thing for sure, this job is never boring. It's like people in Michigan s...
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President's Update - September 14, 2017
The end of summer is nigh and we've made it past the eclipse fever. My kids were ready to start school this month, even if they didn't want to let go of the laid-back schedule they enjoyed the past several weeks....
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Rep. Lee Chatfield Named 2017 MLA Legislator of the Year
State Rep. Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) was recognized as Michigan Library Association Legislator of the Year for his leadership in promoting libraries and supporting legislation advancing the libr...
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Executive Director's Desk - August 10, 2017
Escape the Ordinary with MLA and Your Colleagues
As we enjoy the final weeks of summer, the MLA office is focused on fall and annual conference being held October 18-20 at the Lansing Center. The MLA Annual ...
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President's Update - August 10, 2017
The Buggles band mused on the death of the radio star, ironically using the medium projected to bring about the end. The video for their song Video Killed the Radio Star was the first video that aired on MTV, which ...
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Executive Director's Desk - July 13, 2017
Good News for Library Funding
A number of developments around library funding has us in an optimistic mood. First the FY 2018 State of Michigan budget is finally on the governor’s desk. Funding for libra...
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President's Update - July 13, 2017
I want to welcome everyone to a new year at Michigan Library Association, even if we are in a Midsummer Night's Dream. While we enjoy the summer season in Michigan we are still hard at work. Libraries are at the heigh...
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Executive Director's Desk - June 8, 2017
Demographics and the Library as Civic Focal Point
Once the preferred home of the middle class, the suburbs of America's largest metropolitan areas now have more poor people living in them than do their inner ci...
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President's Update - June 8, 2017
This is the last column I am writing as President of MLA, so I am going to wax philosophical.
"People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're really seeking. I think th...
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Executive Director's Desk - May 11, 2017
Thank you candidates standing for MLA Board of Directors election and congratulations newly elected MLA Directors. This year the MLA Nominating Committee which was headed by Past President Leslie Warren did an o...
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President's Update - May 11, 2017
Congratulations to our newly elected President-Elect Kristin Shelley and board members, Jessica Bratt, Pam Christensen, Kelly Richards and Cathy Russ. It will be a pleasure to work with this enthusiastic group. A speci...
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President's Update - April 13, 2017
When challenges arise that leave you scratching your head, where do you turn? My involvement in MLA and other organizations has helped me to build a network of people to whom I can turn when I have a question o...
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Executive Director's Desk - April 13, 2017
Social Media, Insubordination and Other Popular, but Supremely Tricky Areas for Public Employers
This eclectic list is the subject of MLA's Managing HR Webinar Series: Your Rights & Their Rights part two ...