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Executive Director | News | Training | Limited-Time Offers | Vendor Spotlight | RIDES
Dr. Emily Knox (whose books include Book Banning In 21st Century America and Foundations of Intellectual Freedom) led a Feb. 8 workshop at Western Michigan University (WMU) that was a great opportunity for academic, public, and school library professionals to connect with library and information theory and practice, and one another. Dr. Knox's workshop built and expanded on her Feb. 7 lecture at WMU (which I summarized in March).
Dr. Knox opened by speaking about intellectual freedom, freedom of expression, and free speech, noting that most people use the latter term and juxtaposing intellectual freedom as a positive right and censorship as negative action. She cited Mathiesen's work on access to information as a human right, the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Barbakoff's definition of autonomy (i.e., access to information about many life possibilities, self-reflection, critical thinking, and more) in framing intellectual freedom in a context of human dignity and autonomy. She also reminded participants that different legislatures and courts through time (including the U.S. Supreme Court) consider what is “harmful” differently, which complicates various efforts to legislate (such as Indiana's controversial SB12, which included language putting library workers at risk of prosecution).
Welcome our new MeL Support Specialist Sarah ZawackiSarah’s first day with MCLS was April 3. She spent the last ten years at Ypsilanti District Library in Michigan where she did work in acquisitions, catalog maintenance, and MeLCat. Sarah previously worked at Plymouth District Library and Milan Public Library.
In her role as MeL Support Specialist at MCLS, Sarah is a member of the Shared Library Systems team. In addition to working MeLCat and RIDES helpdesks, she assists with planning, implementing, and supporting the Michigan eLibrary (i.e., MeLCat and MeL eResources).
Indiana and Michigan libraries select MCLS to provide consulting servicesWe are pleased to announce that Butler University Libraries in Indianapolis, IN has selected Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) to provide consulting services for strategic planning this spring. Our Engagement, Consulting, & Training staff will also be facilitating professional development days for the staff of Manistee County Library (MI), David L. Rice Library at University of Southern Indiana (IN), and New Carlisle-Olive Township Public Library (IN).
Looking for library-specific consultants, presenters, or facilitators? MCLS can help! Visit our webpage to read more or contact us to request a quote.
Connect around big-picture thinking at our May Virtual DialogueGather with fellow librarians and library workers at the next MCLS Virtual Dialogue on Thursday, May 11 from 10:30am-noon Eastern (9:30-11am Central). Come share and learn from each other as we discuss big-picture thinking and its role in cultivating a growth mindset.
Our Virtual Dialogues aren’t webinars or workshops; instead, they are opportunities for library staff at all levels and from all library types to talk about issues that are important to them. We will spend time sharing our thoughts, ideas, and insights with other participants as we connect and engage.
Future dialogues—each about a different component of cultivating a growth mindset in libraries—are July 11, Sept. 14, and Nov. 8 at 10:30am Eastern (9:30am Central), except for the July session, which is at 7pm Eastern (6pm Central).
We hope you will join us at all or several; we look forward to connecting with you!
School library contacts: watch your inbox!Please note that MCLS will be sending out a membership renewal email reminder to key school library contacts (directors, billing contacts, and primary contacts) in early May.
This email offers an opportunity to respond with any changes to your membership and to provide updated contact information ahead of our July 1 renewal date. Invoices will be generated and emailed to your MCLS billing contact in mid-May (all other library types will receive their reminder email in early June).
If your library has had a recent change in director or billing contact, please contact Gwen at membership@mcls.org or 517-939-1388. Thank you so much for being a member of MCLS!
MCLS Spring eResources MeetingJoin library colleagues for this year’s virtual Spring eResources Meeting for academic and medical libraries* featuring visits by vendors and a dialogue among members.
The Friday, May 5, 9am-1pm Eastern (8am-noon Central) academic/medical meeting includes a discussion with Clarivate representatives about the Web of Science renewal as well as a conversation with SpringerNature representatives about that eJournal renewal. Both group purchases are up for a three-year renewal in January 2024. In addition, there will be a dialogue about the American Chemical Society’s open access options.
Registration is required (see below). Once registered, you will receive an email with Zoom access information as well as a coffee/tea gift card.
Academic and medical libraries register here >>
Friday, May 5, 9am-1pm Eastern (8am-noon Central)
*Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances, the Public and K-12 Libraries meeting that was scheduled for May 12 has been postponed to a yet to be determined date. Watch future newsletter for updates. Thank you for your understanding.
Visit the tribute to Debbi Schaubman pageTo celebrate the life and memory of our colleague Debbi Schaubman, we asked the library community to submit stories about her and her impact on our field. We received many fantastic responses proving that Debbi was not only a phenomenal librarian and MeLCat genius, but also a force of truth and an exceptional friend.
MCLS is pleased to announce that Debbi's tribute page is now live on our website. Please visit and share the link with anyone who may want to share in Debbi's memory.
Thank you to everyone who submitted memories!
For more information or to see all upcoming workshops, visit our workshop and event registration page. If you have any questions, please contact us at training@mcls.org.
Visit the eResources page of the MCLS website for a full list of vendor partners and products.
MCLS members save up to 35% on Bloomsbury Digital ResourcesThrough May 31, 2023, MCLS members can save up to 35% off the one-time purchase price. The Bloomsbury collection features over 16,000 eBooks in the Humanities and Social Sciences from Bloomsbury Academic, Zed Books, Red Globe Press, and Hart Publishing.
Features and Benefits:
To request a quote or learn more about these products, contact MCLS Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382.
It is time for the annual Docuseek Spring SpecialBetween now and July 31, 2023, lock in your discount and upgrade your streaming media collection with exclusive and highly-curated award-winning films from the leaders in social-issue and independent film.
Founded on more than 50 years of educational distribution experience, Docuseek brings you content you cannot find anywhere else from more than 20 established film distributors from around the world.
To request a quote or learn more about these products, contact MCLS Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382.
OVID is offering end of fiscal year discounts Offering a range of eBooks for the health sciences, OVID provides libraries with high quality resources supporting allied health, medical, and nursing programs. Take advantage of OVID’s end-of-fiscal year savings on eBooks including discounts up to 50% (depending on the number of titles purchased).
Eligible collections include titles from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Society, American College of Physicians, American College of Radiology, American Nurses Association, Astute Doctor, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, and the Oncology Nursing Society.
For specific titles and information on discounts, contact Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382.
The Neurosurgical Atlas is available for the first time to libraries as an institutional modelFor the first time ever, the Neurosurgical Atlas—known as the ultimate resource in cranial surgery—is available for libraries. This work is the most comprehensive, interactive, and exclusive multi-media collection that unveils novel and efficient techniques for brain surgery. It has inspired a devoted global community of over 70,000 members and is used by neurosurgeons, residents, medical students, nurses, neuroscience researchers, radiologists, and other allied health professionals. Its nonprofit mission is to push the boundaries of surgical excellence, education, and research to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.
For a trial and more information, contact Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382.
Visit the eResources page of the MCLS website for a full list of vendor partners and products.
Sage has a powerful new browser plug-in for all library typesLean Library is an innovative new product for libraries of all types that helps them bring their services, content, and librarian support into user workflows. Lean Library integrates with the library’s holdings, authentication systems, patron services, and publisher content. It is a powerful browser plug-in that solves access issues and provides patrons with content as and when they need it, all while protecting their privacy and promoting your library’s brand.
To request a quote or learn more about these products, contact MCLS Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382.
MCLS partners with EBSCO to provide libraries of all types with a wide range of productsOne new resource developed for secondary schools is PrepSTEP. PrepSTEP for High Schools from EBSCO LearningExpress is a valuable e-learning resource containing a robust collection of college and career readiness content. With promotional materials and video tutorials that can help you spread the word among students, teachers, administrators, and parents you’ll be able to make sure your school community knows about it.
To request a quote or learn more about these products, contact MCLS Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382.
Learn about Third Iron's LibKey with our free recorded webinarMCLS members joined Third Iron Co-founder and CEO Kendall Bartsch for an informative webinar (recorded) on April 4 to learn how LibKey employs article-level intelligence to identify which articles in hybrid journals are Open Access. LibKey enables libraries to reliably link to the Open Access articles missed in discovery searches and sent to ILL from databases. It also helps library users navigate article access easily by providing article-level results. Discover more about recent technological developments helping LibKey meet library resource access needs, especially related to open access.
For information on accessing the recorded webinar or MCLS discounts for LibKey, contact MCLS Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382.
OverDrive eBooks and audiobooks for academic librariesMCLS continues to develop its Overdrive for Academic groups. Overdrive for Michigan Academics (OMiA) now consists of nine participating libraries. Working collaboratively these libraries are building a strong and versatile collection designed to support curriculum and encourage leisure reading. New members are welcome! Discussions on the development of an Overdrive for Indiana Academics group are underway with interested libraries.
For more information about either group or for a subscription quote, contact MCLS Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382.
MCLS's HotelPlanner booking site will save you $$$ worldwideTraveling over the summer months? Looking for affordable hotel options? Check out HotelPlanner! MCLS member library staff can save up to 65% (and sometimes more) off room rates at over 900,000 lodging options worldwide. The custom booking site has special deals from many supplier channels to bring you the best rates from thousands of hotels and other accommodations.
Contact MCLS Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382 for the link to share with your library staff.
RIDES renewal confirmation information will be emailed to direct delivery libraries in early May.
Reach out to us via the RIDES Assistance Form.
