We would like to wish the entire library community a peaceful and joyous holiday season and a happy new year! MLA will be closed for the holidays from December 24, 2025 through January 2, 2026. We will be back and ready to serve the library community in the new year on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Join us this Thursday, December 18 at 10 AM on Zoom for our next MLA Connect Advocacy Hour: State and Federal Budget Updates and Outlook on Library Funding in 2026. Register to attend: ow.ly/a6zb50XKiq5 MLAConnect #MLAAdvocacyHour #MILibraries #FundLibraries

For directors, managers, Trustees, and IT staff: MLA has a webinar for you - MLA Connect On Demand: Website Accessibility, Ensuring ADA Compliance for Your Library, held on February 12, 2025 and recorded. You must be logged in to your MLA account in order to access: ow.ly/EGEO50XKiOJ #MILibraries

Ever wondered how you can give back or contribute to the Michigan library field? Invest in the MI Library staff: Your tax-deductible gift to MLA supports professional development. Help us reach our $3,500 goal for the Educational Scholarship Fund. Visit ow.ly/Gq1u5… to learn more and to donate.

Mentee applications for spring mentoring partnerships open February 1 and close February 28. Mentor applications remain open all year: www.milibraries.org/mentor-program #MILibraries

Maybe you haven't had time to read lately. Maybe life got in the way. That's okay. Libraries welcome you back. Or maybe you're looking for more than "reading." Libraries are where you can find activities, events, and even a club to belong to. Visit your local library. MILibraries #LOVEMILibraries

Congratulations to Katrina Rouan and Ashten VanderPloeg on their appointments, and Teresa Natzke on her upcoming retirement!!

Don't forget that the deadline to submit your presentation proposals for Spring Institute for Youth Services is this Friday! ow.ly/P5kK50XqTgY #MichiganLibraryAssociation

Don’t know how to support your local library? Consider what you’re able to do and commit to. Here are a couple of options: Ask them if they need volunteers! If they don’t need volunteers, ask them how you can donate. Libraries can always use donations to help with their program offerings and more!

This does not have to be you! Stop by your local library and surround yourself with all of the books you want to read (and then some) while your TBR pile is waiting for you at home. Michigan is home to 400+ libraries: school, public, academic (college), special, tribal, and our State Library!

Register for our next MLA Connect: Intro to Sustainable Libraries Initiative, Thurs., Dec. 11 at 2 PM. Discover tools and strategies to help libraries make sustainable, equitable, and community-focused decisions. Presented by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich and Matthew Bollerman. Register: ow.ly/W00W50Xu2sK

Help us discover the Top 10 books of the year in Michigan: Share your recommendations below. MI library consortia, Trustees, readers are all welcome to contribute. We'll gather the responses so you can vote for the top 10! Photo credit: Petoskey District Library #Top10BooksinMichigan #MILibraries

I’d say any library staff responsible for setting out displays! #LibraryLife

MLA is seeking an Administrative Assistant to join our team! If you’re organized, reliable, and excited to help keep a mission-driven organization running smoothly, we’d love to hear from you! 📚✨ Applications accepted through Dec 5. Learn more: https://mla.mcjobboard.net/jobs/205802

Our wonderful colleague and friend Lisa Buttigieg will be retiring at the end of January. We are deeply grateful for Lisa's years of excellent work and dedication to the Michigan library community. Thank you, Lisa, and cheers to a wonderful retirement ahead! 🎉🥂 🙌

For public and academic library directors, managers or supervisors: The Library of Michigan is holding 2 meetings: one in person at the Lib of IM, Wed, Dec 3, 9 am - 4 PM, and one held virtually Wed, Feb 4, 2026, 9 am - 12 pm & Thu, Feb 5, 9 am - 12 pm. Find out more here: ow.ly/xxaQ50Xoxoc

The Annual Conference may be over, but connections don’t have to stop! Join MLA’s Discord to chat with peers, share ideas, programs, and resources, or ask for recommendations. Download the free app or use your browser. Find the invite in MLA’s newsletter or ask MLA staff: www.milibraries.org

Congrats to the Michigan libraries whose millages passed on Nov 4! Milan, Richland, Roseville, and Van Buren District Library all saw successful renewals/additions. Troy’s bond measure did not pass. Track statewide results via the Library of Michigan: bit.ly/3yourlink MILibraries #MillageRenewal

Dressing up as the last day of annual conference for Halloween. How about you? #MLA25AC #LibraryKaleidoscope

Every day, Michigan library staff do something extraordinary — often without realizing it. You welcome the curious, comfort the lonely, guide the lost, and spark new beginnings through simple acts of service, kindness, and connection #MILibraries #MILibraryMonth #MLA25AC

Happy Thursday morning and Day 2 of MLA 2025 Annual Conference! Barbara discussed the history and current state of information sharing, bias, and uses in our society and recommendations for the present and hope for the future! Thank you Barbara! #MLA25AC #LibraryKaleidoscope

MLA Interim Executive Director Dillon Geshel started us off with a heartfelt welcome and land acknowledgement of the Anishinaabe people who are today represented by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. Wade Rouse, our 1st keynote, shared his writing inspo! #MLA25AC #LibraryKaleidoscope

Welcome to MLA 2025 Annual Conference! Check-in at the registration desk to get started. #MLA25AC #LibraryKaleidoscope

MLA is powered by members like YOU! 💙 We’re seeking candidates for 4 Board positions + President-Elect. You don’t have to be a director—just ready to make an impact. Nominations due Nov 7 → milibraries.slideroom.com Meet the Board at MLA25AC, Oct 29, 1 PM (Room 101–102). #MILibraries #Leadership

Sound off: who's going to be at MLA Annual Conference this week? We have one more day until opening keynote! Use reacts: ❤️ (love) - I'm going to the whole thing 👍 (like) - I'm attending Wednesday only 🫠 (care) - I'm attending Thursday only 😯 (wow) - I'm attending Friday #MLA25AC #LibraryKaleidoscope

Some days, reading feels like escape. Other days, it feels like coming home. Both are valid. #MILibraries #MILibraryMonth #LOVEMILibraries #Reading

From Michigan Humanities: Applications are due November 13th! Don't miss out on your chance to host the next Smithsonian Museum on Main Street exhibit! Learn more about the program and application process: www.michiganhumanities.org/smithsonian-... #MichiganHumanities

michigan_library_association We're counting down to the MLA 2025 Annual Conference... What kind of advice do you have for: - First-time conference attendees? - First-time conference presenters? - Introverted Library Staff? For more information, visit MLA's website: milibraries.org/annua…#MLA25ACAC

United for Libraries and Penguin Random House are awarding grants to Library Friends groups at small and rural libraries! Grants of $500 and $1,000 will be awarded. These funds will assist Friends of Library groups with projects. Applications open Dec. 17. Learn more: bit.ly/4hdubzv

Staying in town for the conference? Check out these bookish places: Book Burrow, 401 S. Capitol Ave Curious Book Shop, 307 E. Grand River Ave Deadtime Stories, Books & Gifts, 1132 S Washington Ave Everybody Reads, Books & Stuff, 2019 E. Michigan Ave Hooked, 3142 E. Michigan Ave

Advocating for libraries is advocating for the future of informed communities. Photo Credit: Jackson District Library #FreedomtoRead #LibraryAdvocacy #MIRighttoRead #MILibraries

We're Finding Out what's happening at Michigan Libraries during October, Michigan Library Appreciation Month. What's the coolest thing you've ever made at your Library, maybe in their makerspace if they have one? #MILibraries #MILibraryMonth #LOVEMILibraries

The Freedom to Read = the Freedom to Be. Even if books aren’t banned everywhere, defending access ensures everyone can explore ideas, see themselves reflected, and be heard. Your right to read matters. Sign the MI Right to Read Petition today: ow.ly/8vIh50XaOBG #MIRighttoRead #FreedomtoRead

MI Right to Read Week is over, but that doesn't mean it's finished: A banned book isn’t banned everywhere—but it’s missing somewhere. And when it’s gone, someone’s story—and sense of being seen—goes with it. #BannedBooksWeek #LetFreedomRead #MIRighttoRead

Behind every great community is a library. Behind every great library is you. #LOVEMILibraries #MILibraryMonth #MIlibraries

Contribute to the MLA Conference to ensure library staff and students will benefit from MLA's Educational Scholarship: Donate a gift to the Silent Auction. Drop off your contribution to the Registration Desk at conference! Ex. of previous items: swag & educational discounts or free webinars

Michigan libraries secured stable funding in the FY26 budget! LSTA is fully funded, MeL receives a one-time $900K boost. State Aid remains steady at $16.5M. Thank you advocates for making your voices heard! View the report for general omnibus budget: ow.ly/LTne50X6fGc

Yesterday's vote by the FCC to end #ERate discounts for Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs in libraries will have negative impacts in communities across the country, particularly in rural areas. Read more, featuring ALA President Sam Helmick: apnews.com/article/fcc-...

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 2025 as Michigan Library Appreciation Month. ... I encourage all residents to visit their library in person or virtually to connect to the services, resources, and collections ..." www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news...

We’re excited to gather with the library community in downtown Lansing this October! Get ready for your trip to the capital city right in the heart of our great state – check out lansing.org for fun things to do while you’re in town or ask Choose Lansing for some recommendations!

Join our MLA Connect Advocacy Hour this Thursday at 10 AM! MLA lobbyist Samantha Zandee will share the latest on budget talks and how the impasse could impact library funding. An LSTA line item must be included—without it, MeL & MeLCat are at risk. Register: ow.ly/x1BK50X0AVH

Behind every book loan is a person who feels seen, heard, or inspired. #LOVEMILibraries #MILibraries

What you are reading? Drop your current read below and browse through other people’s selections. I’m halfway through my book club book, “Anita de Monte Laughs Last,” by Xóchitl González, on the Libby app. It’s a novel about a student who uncovers the work of Anita de Monte. #MILibraries

“Michigan’s public libraries serve everyone, not just the loudest voices,” said Dillon Geshel, interim executive director of MLA. “The Petition to Protect MI Right to Read was created to send a clear message to our elected officials that public libraries exist to reflect all of us...”

Library admins, managers & staff—looking for vendor or program recs? The “No Reservation Recommendations” (NRR) site features options from your Michigan colleagues, at nrr.ninja. Managed by Kate Pohjola Andrade (Woodlands), Laura Fromwiller (BTPL), & Shauna Quick (Library of Michigan).

Michigan libraries need you! Call your legislators TODAY to support $5.6M in federal LSTA funds. Without it, MeL & MeLCat are at risk. > Find your legislators here: ow.ly/ibrA50WVGeW Your outreach to Representatives and Senators is critical to influencing the budget process. #FUNDlibraries

How are libraries using tech (even AI!) while still staying rooted in community? Find out in our new Chapter & Verse episode with DPL’s Susan Taylor. Listen now: michiganlibrarypodcast.podbean.com/e/literacy-a...

Libraries are where discoveries happen, and where Michiganders can explore, learn, and connect with their community. During Michigan Library Appreciation Month and MI Right to Read Week (October 5–11), we are excited to honor Michigan libraries with the theme: “Find Out.”

Get ready for the MLA Annual Conference by diving into books from this year’s keynote speakers. -Sept 18, 1 PM – The Wishing Bridge by Viola Shipman -Oct 16, 1 PM – Attack from Within by Barbara McQuade Both discussions are virtual! Register here: us05web.zoom.us/.../reg.../8....

Have you signed up for ALA's latest free advocacy webinar? Tune in Sep 9 @ 5pm ET / 4pm CT to learn how you can bring Congress to your library. In-person visits are among the MOST effective forms of advocacy. Register: elearning.ala.org/local/catalo... #ForOurLibraries