This month, I’d like to introduce the 2025 MCLS Board of Directors and what they do for you, our members who own MCLS. At their fall retreat this past November, I observed the MCLS Board come away with new energy and a sense of purpose for their upcoming plans in 2025. As we continue through a challenging time for libraries, I encourage you to engage with the Board members to let them know what’s on your mind and what matters most to you. To learn more about the Board – including its structure, meetings, and documents – please visit our webpage.

One of the most important things the MCLS Board does is to maintain a vision statement for why MCLS exists:

MCLS exists so that libraries of all sizes and types are community-responsive leaders who embrace the challenges of contemporary library practice, develop innovative solutions, foster robust collaborations, and facilitate transformative learning. (Board Policy Manual, p. 3)

MCLS’s member libraries own the organization, and our Board members serve as the informed voice and agent of the owners. In other words, the MCLS Board exists to assure that MCLS serves owners’ interests through the work we do as an organization. To do that, the Board needs to stay engaged, or “linked,” with owners. The Board paused its “ownership linkage” (aka member engagement) work in 2024 while we drafted our strategic plan, and will resume that work in 2025. Again, I hope you’ll take opportunities to engage with our Board members, whether reaching out by email or phone, meeting up at conferences and other events, or responding when Board members ask for your input.

Here are the 2025 MCLS Board of Directors:

Several Board members offered comments about why they serve, and I thank them for their comments. 

“I’m excited to be part of the MCLS Board as a representative of Michigan’s academic library community. By strengthening and supporting connections between libraries of all types, we can help our institutions thrive. In 2025 and beyond, I hope we can build even better relationships with our members and create more opportunities for MCLS to succeed.”
-Kendra Lake, Michigan Academic Library Representative 

“I serve on the Board so I can work with other librarians to help all libraries to thrive so we can serve our users. I also enjoy interacting with other librarians since I have been a lone librarian where I work.”
–Anni West LaPrise, Michigan School Library Representative 

“By being a member of the Board, I have the opportunity to represent special libraries in Indiana and to voice the perspectives and needs of these member libraries. I look forward to contributing to MCLS as [Board] Secretary this year. I am thankful for this opportunity.”
-Brenna Tuite, Indiana Special Library Representative 

“I serve on the Board as the Public Library Representative of Michigan because I value the services provided through MCLS to all types of libraries in both Michigan and Indiana. It is important to me that all library voices are heard.”
-Lisa Waskin, Michigan Public Library Representative 

“I serve on the Board to feel connected to the MCLS community more broadly, which is wonderful for someone like me who works at a small library (I am the only employee!). I hope 2025 brings continued excellence, cooperation, and innovation!”
-Rima Zalghout, Michigan Special Library Representative 

Want to learn more about the MCLS Board’s role? Please ask our Board members! Interested in serving? Watch for our call for nominations in mid-2025. Just like MCLS itself, our Board exists to serve you, the libraries who own MCLS. Watch for ways to engage with them and contact me anytime at garrisons@mcls.org.