In conversations with multi-types of libraries in both Indiana and Michigan, participants stated that “soft skills” were the most needed skills for staff in the 21st century library.  In response, MCLS has created a new Certificate of Library Staff Development in Basic Soft Skills. The certificate program includes five live, online courses delivered by MCLS …Read more »

John Sterbenz has been employed at the Kresge Business Administration Library at The University of Michigan since 1992, joining its librarian ranks in 1998. He has spent over 18 years serving in various Technical Services roles at the library, including as manager of the unit since 2000. In 2016, he was promoted to the rank …Read more »

This month’s featured trainer, Jessica Barnes, has spent her career working in and for Indiana public libraries. After receiving her MSLIS from the University of Illinois in 2004, she worked in and managed reference, circulation, teen, and technical services departments in three northern Indiana public libraries. As the northern Indiana regional coordinator for the Indiana …Read more »

 This month’s featured trainer, Mahasin Martinson, currently works in the IT Department at the Indianapolis Public Library. Originally from Lansing, Michigan, Mahasin bridges our two membership states, and has been a lifelong patron of libraries. She has volunteered and worked in public libraries for over 15 years. In May 2016, Mahasin completed her master’s degree …Read more »

Vicki Bloom is a new instructor for MCLS, and will be teaching this month’s featured workshop, Purposeful reference: Developing connections and outcomes through research consultations. Some fun facts about Vicki: She has worked in libraries in four different states, including medical, special, public, and academic libraries. During her first week as a medical librarian, she …Read more »

Announcing the MCLS training calendar for January – June 2017. MCLS is offering over 60 training opportunities for library staff. For more information, go to our printer friendly version of the training calendar. For questions, contact the MCLS training department at training@mcls.org

Register today to attend Reading Redefined: Deep reading, learning, and the impact of digitization September 30, 2016 9:30am to 4:00pm Eastern (8:30am to 3:00pm Central) Lansing Community College West Campus eBooks. Websites. Blogs. Twitter. Facebook. Many of us are awash in digital information, and in the early 21st century much of our reading has migrated …Read more »

Register today for the following workshops hosted by MCLS in August. Jul 27 Media boot camp: interviewing skills (at Wheatfield Public Library, Indiana) (3 General LEUs) (DEADLINE to register is Friday, July 22) Aug 2-4 Assigning Library of Congress call numbers: basic (online) (6 General LEUs) (DEADLINE to register is Friday, July 22) Aug 9 …Read more »

Does your public library need to complete a strategic plan? MCLS is hosting a two-day series, scheduled for September 9 and October 21, where you will learn and practice do-it-yourself tools you can use to create your own plan. These will be highly interactive sessions in which you will be coached and advised throughout the …Read more »

Are you planning to attend the Internet Librarian conference on October 26-28? If so, MCLS can help you save money on conference registration. MCLS has partnered with Amigos Library Services to provide a discount on early bird registration. Go to the Amigos Internet Librarian page for more details on how to register using the discount …Read more »