The Midwest Collaborative for Library Services and the University of Michigan are partnering again to extend the offer of a free pilot of the “Grant Writing and Crowdfunding for Public Libraries” course on Michigan Online. All staff of MCLS member public libraries in both Indiana and Michigan are eligible to participate. We are very excited …Read more »

July 5 marks a new beginning for MCLS: it is the date when MCLS goes live with ConsortiaManager as its subscription management system. Over the past several months, MCLS staff members have been busy preparing for this transition, getting data ready to migrate, learning to navigate ConsortiaManager, and communicating with our members about the change. …Read more »

MCLS is getting new phone numbers! Our main numbers, (517) 394-2420 and toll-free (800) 530-9019, will remain the same, but all group phone numbers (e.g. Training, MeLCat Help, MeL eResources Help, etc.) and staff direct numbers will be changing. The changes will happen on July 1, 2022. Once the new phone numbers are in effect, …Read more »

As we shared last month, MCLS will transition to ConsortiaManager (CM) as its subscription management system in July 2022. CM is a commercial product specific to consortia and used worldwide by more than 40 consortia. It offers numerous benefits to both MCLS members and MCLS staff, including improved data management, robust reporting capabilities, and more …Read more »

We are excited to begin offering our Essential Workplace Skills (previously called Soft Skills) workshops in a new, self-paced tutorial format through Niche Academy! Several of these reformatted courses are open for registration as of June 1, 2022. Though they have been renamed and are different in format, the content remains the same. The courses …Read more »

MCLS invests in innovation for libraries At their May 6 meeting, the MCLS Board of Directors accepted MCLS’s FY23 budget, which includes investments we will make using some reserve funds to foster innovation and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility (which we abbreviate as DEIJA) for the libraries we serve, the broader library community, …Read more »

Addressing RIDES pricing equity throughout Michigan We at MCLS have heard concerns regarding RIDES (Regional Interlibrary DElivery Service, the statewide library courier service in Michigan which MCLS facilitates) pricing equity for libraries in Michigan’s lower (LP) and upper (UP) peninsulas for some time, and I’m happy to share that our staff has worked hard this …Read more »

In July 2022, MCLS will transition to Consortia Manager (CM) as its subscription management system. CM is a commercial product specific to consortia and used worldwide by more than 40 consortia. It offers numerous benefits to both MCLS members and MCLS staff, including improved data management, robust reporting capabilities, and more opportunities for members to …Read more »

We would like to introduce you to Shanna Hollich who will be teaching some cataloging classes for MCLS. Shanna Hollich (they/them or she/her) is currently serving as the Director of the Guthrie Memorial Library in Hanover, PA. They have been doing research, reform, and advocacy work in the field of copyright and open access for …Read more »

We’re hiring a Marketing and Communication Coordinator! If you’re a marketing professional who dreams of being part of an innovative, growth-minded organization, this position is just the one for you! MCLS is looking for a creative, highly-motivated, and experienced candidate to establish, carry out, and continually improve our digital and print marketing and communication strategy. …Read more »