On November 7-9, 2017, 54 Michigan library staff and partners began a nearly two year undertaking. They attended a Public Innovators Lab taught by certified coaches from the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation. During the Lab, the cohort was organized into two smaller groups, which for the next 18 months will participate in additional training …Read more »

The MCLS office will be closed the following days for the 2017 Holiday Season: Mon, Dec 25 Tue, Dec 26 Mon, Jan 1 Happy Holidays!

Did you know that over 60 percent of MCLS members get some of their electronic resources through MCLS, making it the most popular service that we offer? Did you know that 483 different libraries sent staff to at least one MCLS workshop last year? Did you know that dozens of librarians enhanced their community engagement …Read more »

It’s almost time for fall conferences! The Michigan Library Association (MLA) Annual Conference is in Lansing from Oct. 18-20, and MCLS will be at booth #1. Then the Indiana Library Federation (ILF) Annual Conference is in Indianapolis soon after, Nov. 13-15, and we’ll be at booth #63. Stop by and say “Hi” to MCLS staff! …Read more »

By an overwhelming majority vote, our member representatives elected the proposed slate of new and returning board members. The elected slate includes: At-Large Library Representative (Michigan) – Kate Pohjola Andrade, Woodlands Library Cooperative Research Library Representative (Michigan) – Arlene Weismantel, Michigan State University School Library Representative (Michigan) – Terri Hart, Franklin High School/Livonia Public Schools …Read more »

It’s not very often that I consider a workshop a success when speakers get multiple critical comments. But such was the case with the program we co-sponsored on September 7. Every year MCLS joins with the Cooperative Directors Association, Library of Michigan, Michigan Academic Library Association, and Michigan Library Association to present a program on …Read more »

The Library of Michigan and MCLS are pleased to announce a continuation of their partnership with The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation. An additional 50 Michigan library staff will be trained in the framework of the Institute. This opportunity will include a full 2.5-day Public Innovators Lab followed by 18 months of coaching. Over one hundred …Read more »

Mark your calendars for the MCLS Annual Membership Meeting to place place from 10-11am Eastern (9-10am Central) on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. This year’s membership meeting will be held online using Zoom online meeting software and will feature reports from MCLS President Eva Davis, Executive Director Randy Dykhuis, and MCLS Treasurer (and Audit Committee Chair) …Read more »

The MCLS Board of Directors has accepted the Nominating Committee’s proposed slate of candidates for the five seats whose terms expire at the end of December 2017. Electronic voting to approve the slate of candidates begins on September 18. All Member Representatives should receive an email on September 18 with voting instructions. Votes will be …Read more »

We are pleased to announce that the Branch District Library in Coldwater, MI has selected The Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) to deliver consulting services to the board, staff, and community of the Branch District Library in developing a comprehensive strategic plan. Our full strategic planning service will include providing a data package, facilitating …Read more »