On November 7-9, 2017, 54 Michigan library staff and partners began a nearly two year undertaking. They attended a Public Innovators Lab taught by certified coaches from the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation. During the Lab, the cohort was organized into two smaller groups, which for the next 18 months will participate in additional training and develop action plans to move their communities forward.
The participating libraries were selected via a competitive application process. Each library has from two to six staff participating in the initiative. The participating libraries include:
- Capital Area District Libraries
- Eaton Rapids Public Library
- Elk Rapids District Library
- Grant Area District Library
- Herrick District Library
- Hillsdale Community Library
- Jackson District Library
- Oak Park Public Library
- Portage District Library
- Public Libraries of Saginaw
- Salem-South Lyon District Library
- St. Clair County Community College Library
- Traverse Area District Library
- West Branch District Library
- Willard Library
- Western Michigan University Medical Library
We look forward to the positive changes these libraries will make engaging with their communities.
The Library of Michigan and MCLS have been using the tools of the Institute and sharing them with libraries since 2013.
This project is supported by the Library of Michigan with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
