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THINK SPACE

Save the date! Think Space 2025-2026 starts December 4 and 5, 2025 at the H Hotel in Midland. Registration opens in September 2025.

Designed by library directors for library directors.

Being the director or dean of a library or cooperative, regardless of size or type, is a unique job with unique needs that often only another person in that position can fully comprehend or appreciate. Designed to meet the unique professional development needs of Michigan library directors, Think Space will showcase innovations in key areas of library management, leadership, and technology via compelling and cutting-edge sessions presented by well-respected experts, all while giving attendees the opportunity to build deep, lasting relationships with a cohort of library leaders throughout Michigan.

Each cohort group will spend four days dissecting and understanding one primary issue of critical importance to today’s libraries. Past topics have included:

2021-2022: Equity, Diversity, and Accessibility
2022-2023: Holding True to Our Values and Staying Strong
2023-2024: Future-Ready Libraries
2024-2025: Modern Leadership

Facilitator

John McCann
President, Partners in Performance

John McCann has more than 30 years of experience in helping leaders work more effectively. In the area of innovation and strategy, McCann has worked with more than 300 of the nation’s leading cultural institutions including the Association of Arts Presenters, Dance/USA, National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, Chicago Opera Theatre, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the National Symphony Orchestra. His clients within the philanthropic community have included the Wallace Foundation, Bush Foundation, Maryland State Arts Council, Grantmakers in the Arts, Grantmakers in Education, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For ten years he directed the graduate program in Arts Administration at Virginia Tech, and then for five years taught the capstone course in the graduate program in Arts Administration and Museum Leadership at Drexel University. He currently teaches non-profit management at Duke University Continuing Education. He has delivered guest lectures at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

Since 2012 he has facilitated Creating a Learning Organization, Team Learning and Leader as Facilitator across the intelligence community including the Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Defense Intelligence Agency. Additional work includes engagements with the Clinton Global Initiative, New Orleans Recovery and Rebuilding Coalition, and the Women’s Regional Network (Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan).

McCann is co-founder and currently a Board member of EmcArts, a nonprofit social enterprise for learning and innovation in the arts; and he serves on the Board of Directors for the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice at Duke University.

The Value of Think Space

As a new library director, Think Space was instrumental in my professional development. Encouraged by our library's cooperative, I explored MLA’s learning and networking offerings, a decision that proved invaluable. The knowledge and insight I acquired by attending Think Space found practical application in benefitting our library. I shared what I learned with staff and Library Board Trustees, sparking conversations that led to needed policy revisions. Following my participation at Think Space [2022-2023], we eagerly addressed the limitations of our collection development policy. Our collection development policy lacked proper attention, consisting of a half-page, called buying and selecting, that hadn't been updated since 2010. The significance of a robust Collection Development Policy, underscored in Think Space’s second session, was evident.

Jack Buck, Director, Richland Community Library

I am a big believer in continuing education and try to do as much as I can. Think Space was by far the most beneficial conference that I’ve been part of. The group of other directors from all over Michigan was full of insights and questions and suggestions that made me shift my perspective on some things and also feel a lot of solidarity and support. The speakers were impressive and new to me. The information covered was incredibly valuable for what we face as library directors. The staff at MLA does a great job of putting this together and reminding us that we and our experiences are a priority to the organization.

Claire Meeker, Director, Romeo District Library

Taking a deep dive into a specific topic with other library directors provided an avenue for me to really understand tough issues. It gave me the space and time to figure out how to (better) handle issues like challenged materials in my own library. I really value the time spent with other directors and solidifying a network of peers. Think Space is an invaluable cohort and one of the best conference activities I have participated in.

Val Meyerson, Director, Petoskey District Library

Policies

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations for MLA in-person and hybrid events (including the annual conference, if virtual) must be received in writing by e-mail no later than ten (10) business days prior to the program start date in order to qualify for a refund. For a program with multiple meetings the start date is defined as the first meeting. No refunds for cancellations will be issued for subsequent meetings after that date. Within ten (10) business days of the event, no refund will be issued. Registrations received within ten (10) days of the program are not eligible for a refund. No-shows will be invoiced.

A $150.00 processing fee will be applied to refunds for this event.

If an MLA professional development workshop, conference, webinar, or other training session is cancelled due to low registration or inclement weather, participants will be notified and fees, if applicable, will be refunded.

Consent

Registration and attendance at, or participation in, MLA meetings or other activities constitutes an agreement by the registration to the use and distribution of the registrants or attendees' image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions of such events and activities by MLA. Please contact MLA at [email protected] if you'd like to be removed from any list.

Code of Conduct

Download the complete Code of Conduct (pdf)

MLA’s vision is to be a highly effective, trusted network of libraries, library employees, trustees, friends and supporters working together to support and promote the highest quality library services throughout Michigan. To fulfill our vision, MLA has built, and is dedicated to maintaining, an inclusive and equitable community where all people can come together to advance our shared vision.

MLA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all participants and MLA staff. Each participant, including attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, and service providers, is expected to understand and follow MLA policies and report any violations. These expectations apply to all MLA activities (whether virtual or in-person), including but not limited to those held in conjunction with conferences, events, and meetings.Any conduct that is prohibited in-person is also prohibited online, including but not limited to on MLA social media pages and other online platforms.

Health and Safety Guidelines

We ask you to be courteous and conscientious of others while meeting in-person at the event, especially when it comes to health and safety.

Common Allergens

MLA will make every effort to ensure that provided meals are free of any declared allergens. Please ensure you have alerted MLA staff to any allergies you may have. If you have emergency medications, such as an EpiPen, please carry it with you during the conference.

Although we always aim to work with you to provide a safe and comfortable conference, we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free event or prevent others from bringing potential allergens to the event. Conference attendees and exhibitors are asked to refrain from bringing, distributing, and consuming products containing peanuts and other nuts at the conference.