Listening to libraries Each October, we at MCLS anticipate our Board of Directors’ annual fall retreat. Our Board members always appreciate knowing what’s on library leaders’ and staff’s minds leading up to the retreat, as they and I discuss MCLS’s future together. Recently, I’ve started a new series of conversations with library directors in Indiana …Read more »

MCLS is seeking library staff from all types of libraries who want to help shape future group purchases. Our vision for the Product Advisory Librarians (PALs) is to test and trial products and provide feedback. This information will help us determine the direction for product offerings in a more thoughtful manner. Benefits for PALs: Influence …Read more »

The MCLS Board of Directors has accepted the Nominating Committee’s proposed slate of candidates for the five seats with terms expiring at the end of December 2021. Electronic voting to approve the slate of candidates begins on Sept. 16. All Member Representatives should receive an email on Sept. 16 with voting instructions. Votes will be …Read more »

Editor’s note: this month’s Notes from the Executive Director is a collaboration with Biz Gallo, Rick Adler, and Chelsea Denault, and serves as a chance to introduce our readers to some people and projects making a difference in libraries in Michigan. Read on to learn more about Biz, Rick, and Chelsea. Caring for and providing …Read more »

We are excited to announce that Jenny Kobiela-Mondor is the new MCLS Library Strategist. Jenny most recently worked as the Assistant Director of the Eckhart Public Library in Auburn, Indiana. She brings to us much experience around community engagement, strategic thinking, disaster recovery and planning, and intellectual freedom, both in her work as an assistant …Read more »

Equitable access has been a core principle of publicly-funded library service for going on two centuries. For well over a decade, an ever-growing number of libraries have come to recognize that fines for overdue materials can pose a barrier to equity, and have responded by eliminating those fines. American Library Association (ALA), local and national …Read more »

As shared in our May 2021 eNewsletter, MCLS joined the Open Education Network (OEN) as a consortial member effective July 1. A recognized leader in helping academic institutions advocate and advance open educational resources at their colleges and universities, OEN utilizes a proven program to engage with faculty in the review and development of open …Read more »

We are pleased to announce, as a continuation of our partnership with the Library of Michigan and our shared Michigan Libraries Engage project, that a new Libraries Engaging Appreciatively for Positive Change (LEAP) cohort will begin this fall. Save the date for Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021! This full-day virtual event will be facilitated by MCLS’s …Read more »

This month, I’ll share some updates about what’s been happening at MCLS on several levels, from the MCLS Board of Directors, to the staff, and some things our members are doing. At their May meeting, the MCLS Board discussed issues including MCLS’s FY2021 financial picture, and approved a projected FY2022 budget. Fortunately, we have ended …Read more »

Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) is seeking a creative and energetic candidate for a Library Strategist position. MCLS is a non-profit, member-driven organization whose mission is to facilitate sharing resources and to collaborate with other organizations to benefit Indiana and Michigan libraries. The Library Strategist participates in developing, delivering, and expanding MCLS’s engagement, consulting, …Read more »