In a press release yesterday, Gretchen Couraud announced that the Michigan Library Association is holding its first-ever Library Directors’ Summit: Planning for Our Future, in Lansing on August 8. To register, go to the online form (select “Library Directors’ Summit” from the drop-down menu under “Workshop Selection”).

The Summit will address effective library advocacy and the budget process, with presentations from Mark Haas, Chief Deputy Treasurer of Michigan (Michigan’s budget process); Dr. Michael A. Boulus, President’s Council State Universities of Michigan (academic budget process); and Sari Feldman, Director, Cuyahoga County Public Library (gaining political support and advocacy for sustainable funding). Library directors will also have an opportunity to participate in group discussion on MLA’s restructuring.

In light of Michigan’s financial situation and budget cuts to libraries, MLA’s Summit is timely. I hope that they get a good turnout of library directors and that the discussion is fruitful – this could be the catalyst that Michigan libraries need to improve funding.