“A Man is Known by the Company He Keeps” – a fond farewell from Debbie

June 25, 2025

It is time to say farewell to my MLA family. For the past 6 years, I have surrounded myself with positive thinkers - people who make a difference in their communities, in their organizations, and people who make my day brighter simply by being around them. You have challenged me, supported me, motivated me, mentored me and encouraged me to grow. I have found people to admire and people that I am proud to know. You have been my cheerleaders, teachers, trusted advisors, coaches, role models and ultimately friends. I am mindful that the people who represent MLA reflect my own values and have influenced me in ways I can only be thankful for. Your positivity, high standards, kindness and honesty are contagious, and I am a better person for having known you all. The fact is, each of us determines the people we spend our time with. As Aesop said so well “A man is known by the company he keeps.” I have chosen wisely.

Deborah E. Mikula
MLA Executive Director

Note From Dillon

The past month has been a busy time of transition for MLA. As our outgoing Executive Director prepares for retirement, I’ve had the privilege to work alongside her and the MLA team in my new role as Interim Executive Director. Many of you have been in touch with well wishes, to check in, and to ask how the transition is moving along. And as I’ve often stated in response – Debbie and everyone on staff at MLA has helped to plan the most organized onboarding journey that I’ve ever experienced. It’s helped bring me up to speed on MLA’s day-to-day operations quickly, allowing me to dive right into our important work on advocacy, programming and member engagement.

House Budget Proposes Flat State Aid to Libraries, Anticipates IMLS Funding Cuts

Yesterday, Michigan’s House of Representatives moved its education budget through subcommittee, appropriations and approved the plan on the House floor. Because funding for the Library of Michigan falls under the Department of Education, the House Republicans’ budget gives us our first glimpse at their plan for public library funding in the next fiscal year.

Approved in a party-line vote, the House budget bill, HB 4576, preserves state aid to libraries, providing the same $16.5 million allocation as was approved for the current fiscal year. This is in line with the Governor’s original budget proposal for next year as well. Both budgets propose flat state aid to libraries in the amount of $16.5 million.

Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks New Episode

Check out the latest episode of Chapter & Verse, Creating Safe Spaces: Outreach Inclusion and the Modern Library. In this episode, hosts Debbie Mikula, Executive Director of MLA, and Mallorie DeVilbiss, Director of the Suburban Library Cooperative, talk with Olivia Olson, Head of Community Engagement at the Troy Public Library.

Olivia reflects on her early love of libraries and the path that led her into library work. She shares how the community engagement department came to life and how programs like the bookmobile and the English Language Learners Book Club are expanding the library’s reach.

From serving diverse communities to creating safe, welcoming spaces, Olivia offers insight into the evolving role of libraries and the powerful connections they foster. Her stories of working with patrons and her vision for the future remind us why libraries remain essential pillars of community life.

MLA 2025 Ambassador Orientation

MLA Ambassadors: watch your email! You will receive workgroup and committee placement and orientation information soon!

Updates on the Next Chapter of MLA's MI Right to Read Initiative

We have been getting to work putting our Mellon Foundation grant to good use and expanding Mi Right to Read already! MLA recently contracted with EPIC-MRA in Lansing to conduct a new statistically significant poll of Michigander’s opinions on their libraries and the right to read. Once those results are analyzed in the next month, our work on a 6-month statewide marketing campaign will begin in partnership with Bellwether Public Relations.