33 Michigan Libraries Selected by the Library of Michigan and MCLS to participate in Harwood Public Innovation Training.

In partnership with the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation and the Library of Michigan, the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) announced on January 15, 2016, that 50 individuals from 33 Michigan libraries were selected to undergo a 10-month public innovation training regimen.

The program kicks off with a 1.5-day workshop led by Harwood Institute certified coaches, March 15-16, 2016. That training will be followed up by nine months of coaching calls from Harwood and guidance and support from Harwood trained Library of Michigan and MCLS staff.

The Harwood Public Innovators Workshop is a 1.5-day experience designed to help individuals and organizations learn what it means to Turn Outward — to use the community, not the conference room, as a reference point for choices and action. A goal of this initiative is to help libraries strengthen their role as core community leaders and change-agents.

The selected libraries represent a spectrum of library types, sizes and geographic locations in Michigan, all with a common goal to engage more deeply in their communities.

The following libraries were selected:

• Grand Ledge District Library
• East Lansing Public Library
• Houghton Lake Public Library
• Roscommon Area District Library
• Public Libraries of Saginaw
• Lapeer District Library
• Bay County Public Library
• Salem-South Lyon District Library
• Cromaine Library
• Orion Township Public Library
• Clarkston Independence District Library
• Ypsilanti District Library
• Hudson Carnegie District Library
• North Adams Community Memorial Library
• University of Michigan-Dearborn Mardigian Library (In collaboration with the Office of Metropolitan Impact)
• Wayne State University Purdy Kresge Library
• Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs and University Archives (Wayne State University)
• Oakland University Kresge Library
• Southfield Public Library
• Saugatuck-Douglas District Library
• Allegan District Library
• Niles Public Library (In collaboration with the Niles History Center)
• Loutit District Library
• White Pigeon Township Library
• Fremont Area District Library
• Superiorland Library Cooperative
• Ironwood Carnegie Library
• Peter White Public Library
• Superior District Library
• Tahquamenon Area Library
• Escanaba Public Library
• Bay de Noc Community College Library
• Portage Lake District Library

About MCLS

MCLS is a non-profit, member driven organization whose mission is to facilitate sharing resources and to collaborate with other organizations to benefit Michigan and Indiana Libraries.

This project is supported by the Library of Michigan with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.