Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks New Episode Drops February 13

Subscribe to Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks and tune in on February 13! Our February episode will be hosted by Steven K. Bowers, Executive Director of The Library Network Cooperative serving libraries in Southeast Michigan and feature Azita Frattarelli, Director/Youth Librarian at the Riverview Veterans Memorial Library in Riverview.

MLA Update

Last Friday, MLA was feeling like the holidays came a bit early, and as the Grinch would say “It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags.” MLA leadership felt a small spark of hope, a tiny flicker of optimism, despite the things we have no control over. And that optimism was rewarded on Friday, December 13 around 7:30 PM when the democratic House Members voted unanimously to move the Freedom to Read bills to the Senate.

Dark Store and OMA Legislation Die in Lame Duck

Legislation aimed at closing the dark store tax loophole has died in committee. House Bills 5865-5868 received a hearing in the House Tax Policy Committee on December 11. Andrea Ingmire, from the Peter White Public Library, provided testimony on how the tax loophole is impacting libraries and MLA submitted cards of support and testimony. The legislation did not move out of committee. Stating that they had run out of time for the day, Committee Chair, Representative Cynthia Neeley called the committee to ease and later adjourned. It is now too late in the legislative session for any further action.

House Bill 4693, introduced by Representative John Fitzgerald to amend the Open Meetings Act has also run out of time. Our work continues.

Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks New Episode Drops January 9

Subscribe to Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks and tune in on January 9! Our January episode will be hosted by Carol Dawe Director of the Lakeland Library Cooperative and feature Virginia DeMumbrum, Director of the White Lake Community Library in Whitehall.

MLA Strategic Planning Survey

We need to hear from you! This fall, MLA is working with Alliance for Library Impact to develop a new strategic direction and 3-year plan for our work to educate, advocate, and engage libraries and library workers throughout Michigan.

Support MLA Future Pathways Grants

As we approach the end of the year, many of us look for meaningful ways to give back. This year, we invite you to support the MLA Equity Fund. Our goal is to raise $3,000 by year-end, and with your help, we know we can achieve this!