We are pleased to announce that Dowagiac District Library (MI), Pendleton Community Public Library (IN), and New Carlisle-Olive Township Public Library (IN) have all booked dates for Midwest Collaborative for Library Services to provide staff development days on various topics this fall, winter, and spring. In addition, Capital Area District Library (CADL) in Michigan has …Read more »

Public libraries have always been a centerpiece of our communities. With the evolution of technology and media consumption habits, libraries have adapted to these trends by offering a wide variety of products and community events. However, with these innovations comes a gap in community awareness of new services. To empower libaries to fill this gap, …Read more »

MCLS began work on a strategic plan last year, and I’m pleased to share the basics of our emerging 2025-2028 plan this month. Our strategic plan is a flexible, living document we can adapt as rapid change for libraries and their users continues. We used a strengths-based process to create our plan based on input …Read more »

September 2024 begins a new chapter for the MCLS eLicensing and Collection Resources (eLCR) team with Sarah Beaubien taking the helm as the eLCR Manager. Her extensive library expertise encompasses management, budget oversight, collections, scholarly communication, instruction, user services, library facilities, and pandemic planning. Stephanie Davis will continue in her role as Associate Director at MCLS until …Read more »

MCLS is pleased to announce its new vendor partnership with Rock’s Backpages. The world’s biggest archive of music journalism and pop writing of the last 60 years, Rock’s Backpages possess a unique space in the world of eResources, offering users access to an archive of content about music and popular culture. It contains a library …Read more »

With the end of the IMLS grant on July 31 marking TALK a service of MCLS, we are working diligently to both promote the TALK: Text and Learn for Kindergarten service nationally and ensure subscribing libraries have all the tools needed to bring TALK to their communities. Our first conference stop this fall is ARSL in Springfield, MA. Stop …Read more »

With NewspaperArchive, current and new subscribers are eligible for discounts through MCLS. We are seeking eleven member libraries to subscribe or renew through MCLS to maximize discounts. You can view a demonstration of the NewspaperArchive database here and a publication title list here. Request a demo or pricing for the NewspaperArchive collection(s) of your choice: Indiana Collection, Michigan Collection, IN …Read more »

A new Essential Workplace Skills self-paced tutorial is now open and ready for registration! This tutorial, Introduction to Writing Skills for Librarians taught by MCLS Library Strategist Jenny Kobiela-Mondor, includes writing skills relevant for all library staff. Course Description: Effective and appropriate written communication is important for much of the work we do in libraries, …Read more »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 2024 For more information, please contact: Scott Garrison Executive Director Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) garrisons@mcls.org   Midwest Collaborative for Library Services welcomes new eLicensing and Collection Resources Manager Sarah Beaubien  Lansing, MI—The Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Beaubien as …Read more »

MCLS members are invited to join Sage and MCLS for a Sage Skills discussion at 2 p.m. Eastern (1 p.m. Central) on Wednesday, Aug. 21. During the session, Sage staff will seek to engage with MCLS members about the two Sage Skills platforms: Student Success and Business Skills. We will discuss essential skills to prepare …Read more »