MCLS Blog

Banned Books Week

ALA puppet video promoting Banned Books Week. Enjoy!

Add comment September 24th, 2009

MLA Rally for Libraries 9-10-2009

Visit MLC’s Flickr page to see complete set of photos from MLA’s Rally at the Capitol.

MLA Rally at the Capitol 9-10-09

Rally at the Capitol 9-10-09

Protect Michigan Libraries

Add comment September 10th, 2009

Sept 10 Rally for Libraries

Join the Michigan Library Association and supporters on the steps of the State Capitol, September 10 at 10 a.m. For details, see MLA’s Rally for at the Capitol web page.

Add comment September 4th, 2009

Megan Dudek joins Michigan Evergreen Team

MLC is pleased to announce that Megan Dudek is the newest member of MLC’s Michigan Evergreen team. Megan will be responsible for providing training and support services to Michigan Evergreen libraries.

Megan comes to MLC from the East Lansing Public Library where she worked for six years in circulation and interlibrary loan, including experience in ILS migration.  Megan received her library degree from Wayne State University and her undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities from Michigan State University.

Welcome Megan!

Add comment August 17th, 2009

R. David Lankes to Keynote MLC Annual Meeting Oct.2.

Register online for MLC’s Annual Meeting and Special Program, featuring R. David Lankes, Friday, October 2, 2009, at LCC West in Lansing.

Lankes’ keynote is “The Times They Are A’Changin’ – the Logic of Participatory Librarianship,” a discussion of how library service should match how people build knowledge.  He also discusses the obligation and power of libraries participating in their communities and society as a whole. The keynote will be followed by a panel of local librarians reacting to Dr. Lankes’ presentation.

After lunch, we will reconvene for the MLC Annual Meeting, which will include an update on the merger between MLC and INCOLSA, followed by the Director’s Annual Report and business meeting.

AGENDA
9:00 a.m. Registration

9:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Welcome – Randy Dykhuis, MLC Executive Director
Keynote – R. David Lankes, “The Times They Are A’Changin’ – the Logic of Participatory Librarianship”
“Reactor” Panel – Colleen Hyslop, MSU Libraries; Larry Neal, Clinton-Macomb Public Library; Anne Heidemann, Canton Public Library

12:00 Noon – 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Annual Meeting
Merger Update – MLC and INCOLSA Board members
Director’s Annual Report – Randy Dykhuis
MLC Business Meeting

Add comment August 14th, 2009

MLA Launches Website: Michigan Libraries for the Future

Today, MLA launched its new advocacy website, Michigan Libraries for the Future.

MLA President, Larry Neal, writes:

“Today as part of MLA’s Leadership Orientation we have officially launched our new advocacy website. It will serve as an easy way for library advocates to send their message to Lansing. By clicking on the “Write Your Legislator” button they can send a customized e-mail message to their legislators. I hope I can count on every library in Michigan to link to the website so people will act on our request. You will also be able to ‘Tell A Friend’ and forward the alerts to build a strong grassroots network with friends, trustees and library patrons.

“For those of you who serve on boards or know of boards that would be willing to support our position, there is a full resolution on the Press Kit page that you can use and tailor to your needs. I challenge any of you to read it without getting upset about the fact that we have to spend any of our time doing this in the first place.

“Next steps will include providing a downloadable bookmark, targeted points of view, and sample letters to the editor. I will send out further messages as these tools become available shortly. Also, be sure to join the 200 and growing fans of MLA’s Facebook page and sign up for tweets from our new Twitter service (links on new website)!

“Further, plans are coming together for our rally on the steps of the State Capital on Thursday, September 10. The time is 10 a.m. Attire is anything RED (thanks for the idea Bryon Sitler). Also, please contact me if you are able to bring your bookmobile. I keep hearing about how passionate people are about our profession and what we do. I hope to see lots of you and members of your community there. We will not let Lansing “shush” us. We will be heard.

“And last, but not least, as our list of supporters grows, I would like to thank the Michigan Library Consortium for its support, partnership and commitment to this major campaign to protect the Library of Michigan and MeL/MeLCat.”

Add comment August 14th, 2009

Aug. 5 Rally “Hands Around the Library”

The following message is distributed on behalf of the Michigan Genealogical Council. Please feel free to share.

Fellow Michigan genealogists and library supporters -
Now is the time for Michiganians to come to the aid of our state’s
history and learning.
Your Michigan Genealogical Council is planning a public assembly in
Lansing to show our legislators and fellow citizens that we care about
our state’s past.
On Wednesday the 5th of August, let’s assemble at the State Capitol, on
the lawn. We have reserved the North and South lawns, and the steps.
Time, 9:45 a.m. The State Senate goes into session at 10 a.m., the only
time in the next few weeks we can be certain our legislators will be
assembled at Lansing.
At 10:30 a.m., we will process/march over to the Michigan Historical
Center and form our *Hands Around the Library* — in hopes of good media
coverage! Since the perimeter of the building is a round 1800 feet, it
is obvious we can use as many genealogists or friends of
libraries/history of all types as possible. Please definitely let your
local Society know you are coming for sure, since you can see that we
need coverage – flags and ribbons can be held between people as well as
hands and arms.
We’ll stay around the building probably 20 minutes starting at 11:00
a.m. — then off to lunch, research, or museum viewing!
Thanks for your support of Michigan’s past … and our future. Please let
us know how many from your Society will be able to participate — and
questions to Sue Irvine sjirv@yahoo.com <mailto:sjirv@yahoo.com>.
Your Michigan Genealogical Council

Add comment July 23rd, 2009

Internet Librarian Discounts Available

Missouri Library Network Corporation (MLNC) in cooperation with Information Today, Inc. is happy to offer reduced rates to the Internet Librarian 2009 Conference.  If you register for CIL 2009 through MLNC, you’ll receive the special rate of $279 for the full 3-day conference.  Discounts are also available for the Internet@Schools conference and a combination of both events.  The complete conference schedule including a list of pre-conferences is available at http://www.infotoday.com/il2009/.

To receive your discount, you must return your registration with payment directly to MLNC using the form at http://www.mlnc.org/il2009.pdf no later than Wednesday, September 16, 2009.

Contact Deb Ehrstein (deb@mlnc.org, 800-969-6562, x816) with questions or for additional information.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Payment must be made to Missouri Library Network Corporation (MLNC), NOT to MLC.

Add comment June 16th, 2009

MLC Position Posting for Michigan Evergreen Training/Support Librarian

Michigan Evergreen Training and Support Librarian

The Michigan Library Consortium (MLC) is looking for a tech-savvy, problem-solving, adventurous librarian to join our Michigan Evergreen team. Michigan Evergreen is an open-source shared ILS project, with ten libraries in the shared system and more to be added in 2009-2010. This position is responsible for training and support of participating libraries on all ILS functionality (OPAC, circ, cataloging, etc.). For consideration, please submit a completed application form and your resume with salary requirements to MLC, Human Resources, 1407 Rensen Street, Suite 1, Lansing, MI  48910-3657. Position is open until filled, with applications received before July 17 given first consideration. Excellent benefits. For links to the complete position description/qualifications and to MLC’s application form, go to: http://mlcnet.org/cms/sitem.cfm/news__announcements/mejob_posting/

Add comment June 10th, 2009

Friends of Michigan Libraries has a new website

Check out the new website for the Friends of Michigan Libraries.  They’ve got a great new design!

Add comment June 8th, 2009