Michigan Library Advocacy Day

On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, MLA hosted our 2nd annual in-person Michigan Library Advocacy Day at the Capitol. This sold-out event brought together more than 160 library advocates representing public, school, academic, tribal, and special libraries from across Michigan. Our unified message: Strong Libraries = A Stronger Michigan!

MLA Youth Literary Awards Top Ten Titles

Check out the top titles of the 2024 Mitten, YouPer and Thumbs Up! Awards! MLA Youth Literary Award workgroups spent thousands of hours reading, reviewing and discussing hundreds of books to determine the top titles for youth published in 2023. 

PLA 2024 Recap

There was no question to any of the 7,500 attendees at PLA 2024 in Columbus, OH why they were there. Across from the main registration desk was an unmissable 10-foot-tall 3D wall with the Freedom to Read Foundation tagline: FREE PEOPLE READ FREELY. 

Library workers from around the nation have been on the front line to protect intellectual freedom for citizens everywhere, and according to ALA’s press release, “PLA 2024 celebrated innovation, inclusivity, and community empowerment, tailored explicitly to cater to the needs of public library professionals,” with standing-room-only sessions focused on leadership initiatives, emerging trends, inclusion, and best practices related to library service. The conference not only celebrated the hard work library professionals do every day to protect and support their communities but also provided attendees with the knowledge, resources, and a network of support to keep improving. For any Michigan library workers unable to make the trip south to Ohio, we want to share some of the valuable ideas we brought home from PLA 2024. 

MLA 2024 Annual Conference Call for Proposals: PRESS PLAY!

The MLA 2024 Annual Conference workgroup seeks proposals for breakout sessions to be presented in person, October 16 -18, 2024 at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, Michigan.

ALA Releases 2023 Censorship Data, Reports Record Number of Unique Book Titles Challenged in 2023

The surge in book censorship and the number of titles targeted for censorship during 2023 reached unprecedented levels. According to the American Library Association (ALA), there was a 65 percent increase in the number of titles targeted for censorship compared to the previous year. In 2023, 4,240 unique book titles were subject to censorship efforts, surpassing the previous high of 2,571 titles in 2022.

Meet the Candidates for the MLA 2024 Board Election

The MLA Board election will open on Monday, April 1 and close on Monday, April 22 at midnight. This year, MLA members will vote for an MLA President-elect and four Member-at-Large Board positions for terms beginning in July 2024 and ending in June 2027. Election results will be announced in MLA’s Primary Source newsletter on Thursday, April 25. Meet the candidates!