MLA Committees and Workgroups
Committees and workgroups selected during an annual call for volunteers help guide the work of MLA through identifying and developing future leaders, advising on the latest trends, planning educational events such as conferences and workshops, and selecting award winners. The Call for Volunteers is issued each spring. Learn more about participating.
2023-2024 Standing Committees
Advocacy and Legislative Committee
Monitors legislative and policy issues impacting libraries and makes policy recommendations to the board. Informs and educates members about state legislation and policy issues. Contact legislators as needed to educate them about library concerns.

Chair: Jenny Marr Ferndale Area District Library
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Vice-Chair: Larry Neal Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Lisa Buttigieg Michigan Library Association
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Lobbyist: Bob DeVries Governmental Consultant Services, Inc.
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Shirley Bruursema Kent District Library
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John A. Clexton Gladwin District Library
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Bryan Cloutier Oxford Public Library
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Jim Flury The Library Network
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Dillon Geshel Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Anne Heidemann Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Library
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Jessica Keyser Grosse Pointe Public Library
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Kathy Lester Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
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Cindy Mack Brighton District Library
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Michael McCullough Willard Public Library
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Claire Meeker Romeo District Library
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Clare Membiela Library of Michigan
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Ann Neff-Rohs Grand Rapids Public Library
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Dale Parus Ionia Community Library
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Christine Peele Detroit Public Library
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Paulina Poplawska Salem-South Lyon District Library
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Erin Schmandt Caro Area District Library
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Intellectual Freedom Taskforce
The purpose of the Intellectual Freedom Task Force is to support the Michigan Library Association in safeguarding intellectual freedom and first amendment rights, proactively educate and inform the library field of legislation related to intellectual freedom, develop a position and response by MLA in instances of controversy over censorship and encourage Michigan libraries to develop policies that will support free speech and the freedom to read.

Chair: Juliane Morian Rochester Hills Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Keeley Briggs Michigan Library Association
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Kate Andrade Woodlands Library Cooperative
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Bryonna Barton Eaton Rapids Area District Library
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Rori Bielak Dexter District Library
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Shirley Bruursema Kent District Library
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Sarah Burchart Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research
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Azita Frattarelli Riverview Veterans Memorial Library
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Kathleen Gallagher Grosse Pointe Public Library
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Grace Rose Galvan Shelby Township Public Library
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Dillon Geshel Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Alice Howard Ecorse Public Library
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Mary Grahame Hunter Ferndale Area District Library
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Paris Kelvakis Canton Public Library
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Dennis Kreps Community Volunteer
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Stephanie Luyt Traverse City Area Public Schools
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Clare Membiela Library of Michigan
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Chase McMunn Orion Township Public Library
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Ann Neff-Rohs Grand Rapids Public Library
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Tonya Ryals MacDonald Public Library
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Nominating and Leadership Development Committee
Cultivates leadership potential within MLA membership to maintain strong and effective governance and solicits and evaluates nominations of candidates for service on the MLA Board of Directors.

Chair: Cathleen Russ West Bloomfield Township Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula Michigan Library Association
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Steven Bowers The Library Network (TLN)
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Mallorie DeVilbiss Suburban Library Cooperative
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Eric Stanton Capital Area District Libraries
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Kate Van Auken White Pine Library Cooperative
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Sophia Ward Brewer Grand Rapids Community College
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Lisa Waskin Superior District Library
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Finance Committee
Provides financial oversight for the organization, including budgeting and financial planning, financial reporting, and the creation and monitoring of internal controls and accountability policies in support of the MLA Board of Directors.

Chair: Lisa Waskin Superior District Library
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula Michigan Library Association
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Scott Duimstra Capital Area District Libraries
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Anne Heidemann Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Library
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Mary Higginbottom Johnson Muskegon Area District Library
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Michele Howard Traverse Area District Library
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Strategic Planning Committee
The Michigan Library Association’s Strategic Planning Workgroup’s role is to develop, analyze, modify and evaluate the strategic plan/goals and objectives of MLA and identify any areas that need improvements within the organization. The Strategic Planning Workgroup annually reviews the strategic plan/goals and objectives of the organization and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding proposed changes.

Chair: Scott Duimstra Capital Area District Libraries
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Vice-Chair: Dillon Geshel Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula Michigan Library Association
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John Clexton Gladwin County District Library
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Jaci Cooper Kent District Library
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Eva Davis Canton Public Library
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Michele Howard Traverse Area District Library
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Jenny Marr Ferndale Area District Library
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Valerie L. Meyerson Petoskey District Library
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Kate Van Auken White Pine Library Cooperative
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Vanessa Verdun-Morris Madison Heights Public Library
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Sophia Ward Brewer Grand Rapids Community College
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Lisa Waskin Superior District Library
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2023-2024 Professional Development Workgroups
Workshop and Webinar Workgroup
The Workshop and Webinar Workgroup will assist in planning and creating programming such as the MLA Connect webinar series.

Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin Michigan Library Association
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Tracy Bedford Southfield Public Library
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Amber Johnson Chesterfield Township Library
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Dennis Kreps Community Volunteer
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Michael Postula Ann Arbor District Library
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Sarah Rick Millington Arbela District Library
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MLA 2023 Annual Conference Workgroup
The MLA 2023 Annual Conference is scheduled for October of 2023. The workgroup assists in the planning and execution of this event with up to 600 attendees, guests, speakers and exhibitors.

Chair: Dillon Geshel Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Vice-Chair: Wesleyann Johnson Center Line Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin Michigan Library Association
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Katherine Bryant Bloomfield Township Public Library
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Lisa Burns Dearborn Public Library
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Rebekah Craft Baldwin Public Library
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Andrea Ingmire Peter White Public Library
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Amber Johnson Chesterfield Township Library
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Mary Johnson Muskegon Area District Library
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Kevin King Kalamazoo Public Library
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Cindy Mack Brighton District Library
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Sara Magnuson Kent District Library
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James Pugh Orion Township Public Library
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Holly Teasdle Lyon Township Public Library
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Sophia Ward Brewer Grand Rapids Community College
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Lisa Waskin Superior District Library
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Tim Wiggins Niles District Library
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Elissa Zimmer Van Buren District Library
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MLA 2024 Annual Conference Workgroup
The MLA 2024 Annual Conference is scheduled for October of 2024. The workgroup assists in the planning and execution of this event with up to 600 attendees, guests, speakers and exhibitors.

Chair: Wesleyann Johnson Center Line Public Library
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Vice-Chair: Lisa Waskin Superior District Library
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin Michigan Library Association
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Matt Archibald Traverse Area District Libraries
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Andy Bourgeois Capital Area District Libraries
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Lisa Burns Grosse Pointe Public Library
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Amelia Chea Hackley Public Library
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Rebekah Craft Baldwin Public Library
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Michele Howard Traverse Area District Library
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Andrea Ingmire Peter White Public Library
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Sara Morrison Briggs District Library
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Cindi L. Place Bellaire Public Library
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James Pugh Orion Township Public Library
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Holly Teasdle Lyon Township Public Library
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Tim Wiggins Niles District Library
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Elissa Zimmer Van Buren District Library
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MLA 2024 Small and Rural Pre-Conference Workgroup
New for 2024, the workgroup is planning a one-day event tailored to small and rural library staff ahead of the MLA 2024 Annual Conference in October.

Linda Adams Northland Library Cooperative
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Trixie McMeeking Homer Public Library
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Kate Andrade Woodlands Library Cooperative
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Sonya Schryer Norris Plum Librarian LLC
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Eric Palmer Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative
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Cindi Place Bellaire Public Library
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Lisa Waskin Superior District Library
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Tim Wiggins Niles District Library
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Spring Institute for Youth Services 2024 Workgroup
This two-day conference brings together approximately 200 statewide children and teen service librarians to share, learn and experience best practices. Help plan valuable programming that includes national award-winning authors, illustrators and storytellers.

Chair: Ashley Lehman Orion Township Public Library
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Vice-Chair: Jill M. Anderson Kent District Library
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin Michigan Library Association
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Laura Bultman Kalamazoo Public Library
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Amanda Carr Troy Public Library
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Becky DeLiso Chesterfield Township Library
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Kristen Getzin Fraser Public Library
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Natalie Haggard Brighton District Library
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Heather Harrison Genesee District Library
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Jay Hull Capital Area District Libraries
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Jocelyn Levin Lyon Township Public Library
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Stephanie Martin Clarkston Independence District Library
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Courtnei Moyses Traverse Area District Library
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Holly Osentoski Troy Public Library
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Lydia Schmidt Hackley Public Library
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Michele Wittkopp Muskegon Area District Library
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Michigan Library Advocacy Day 2024 Workgroup
On Tuesday, April 16, the Michigan library community will unite to amplify our collective voice in support of all Michigan libraries at MLA's Michigan Library Advocacy Day! Passionate and committed library advocates from all across Michigan will join together in person in Lansing to represent our public, school, academic, tribal and special libraries.

Chair: John Clexton Gladwin County District Library
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Lisa Buttigieg Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Keeley Briggs Michigan Library Association
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Bob DeVries Governmental Consultant Services, Inc.
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Ann Neff-Rohs Grand Rapids Public Library
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Tammy Soule Governmental Consultant Services, Inc.
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Think Space 2023-2024 Workgroup
The Michigan Library Association’s Think Space workgroup leads the development, planning, and execution of the multi-part Think Space event. The workgroup will determine appropriate educational content and networking opportunities targeted at established library directors. Each Think Space event will have one central focal point to be determined by the workgroup and MLA staff.

Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin Michigan Library Association
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Jack Buck Richland Public Library
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Claire Meeker Romeo District Library
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Valerie L. Meyerson Petoskey District Library
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Juliane Morian Rochester Hills Public Library
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Stef Reed Flat River Community Library
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Polling and Messaging Workgroup
In March 2023, the Michigan Library Association contracted with EPIC-MRA, a full-service survey research firm with expertise in Public Opinion Surveys and Market Research Studies to conduct a statewide survey on library issues. While we have been using national studies to prove that book banning and censorship issues are not tolerated by the majority of voters in the country, we now have solid Michigan data to back this up.

Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash Michigan Library Association
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Scott Duimstra Capital Area District Libraries
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Dillon Geshel Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Jenny Marr Ferndale Area District Library
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Christine Peele Detroit Public Library
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Michigan Library Awards Workgroup
Reviews and updates award guidelines, encourages nominations, reviews nominees and selects the winners for our MLA professional recognition awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Public Librarian of the Year, Heart of a Champion, Rising Star, Frances H. Pletz Award for Excellence in Service to Youth and Support Staff of the Year.

Chair: Cathleen Russ West Bloomfield Township Library
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash Michigan Library Association
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Lauren Arnsman Troy Public Library
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Jan Davidson Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
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Marissa Lasoff-Santos William P. Faust Public Library of Westland
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Christopher Potts Capital Area District Libraries
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2024 Literary Award Workgroups
Mitten Award
Recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in picture book format. Read more about the Mitten Award here.

Chair: Dena Moscheck Bay County Library System
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Vice-Chair: Leigh Verburg Kent District Library
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash Michigan Library Association
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Lauren Aquilina Commerce Township Community Library
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Tracy Bedford Southfield Public Library
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Jackie Boss Kent District Library
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Emily Brush Novi Public Library
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Austin Gullett Delta Township District Library
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Elyshia Hoekstra Coopersville Area District Library
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Whitney Jones Northville District Library
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Holly Kirsten Chesterfield Township Library
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Wendy Lehman Rochester Hills Public Library
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Kirsten Malzahn Novi Public Library
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Kelly Marra MacDonald Public Library
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Christina McIntosh Salem South Lyon District Library
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Everett Pine Ferndale Area District Library
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Lisa Rodkey Grand Haven Public Schools
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Loni Wetherell Cromaine District Library
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YouPer (Young Person) Award
Recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in chapter book format. Read more about the YouPer Award here.

Chair: Jessica Keeler Plymouth District Library
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Vice-Chair: Katie Perkey Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash Michigan Library Association
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Taryn Allan Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Catherine Ash Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Heather Draft Cromaine District Library
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Fillippa Genovese Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Nicole G. Gillies Bloomfield Township Public Library
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Kristen Jayska Livonia Public Library
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Cheryl Lawrence Branch District Library
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Stephanie Martin Clarkston Independence District Library
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Carol Robinson Grand Ledge Area District Library
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Jeanette Smith Romeo District Library
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Samantha Tomlinson Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
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Damon Verdema Ferndale Area District Library
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Robert White Flint Public Library
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Thumbs Up! Award
Recognizes an outstanding contribution to teen literature that has both literary quality and teen appeal for those 13 to 18 years of age. Read more about the Thumbs Up! Award here.

Chair: Sarah Swiderski Salem-South Lyon District Library
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash Michigan Library Association
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Nathan Bartos Kent District Library
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Lisa Boyd Canton Public Library
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Georgina Broyles MacDonald Public Library
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Josh Campeau Pontiac Public Library
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Robert Chartrand Capital Area District Libraries
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Kayla Dies Paw Paw District Library
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Mollie Hall Dexter District Library
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Sabrina Halsey Orion Township Public Library
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Jody Helme-Day Tecumseh District Library
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Samantha Ingerson Sterling Heights Public Library
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Cristen Jackson Flint Public Library
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Colleen Kingsbury Plymouth District Library
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Anjelica Lyman Commerce Township Community Library
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Julianne Novetsky Warren Public Library
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Chelsea Pridmore Clarkston Independence District Library
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Kelsey Schaeflein Cromaine District Library
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Amanda Shepard Herrick District Library
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Sarah Welch Big Rapids Community Library
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Liz Wierenga Kent District Library
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