Note From Lisa

Lisa Waskin, MLA 2025 Annual Conference Chair

When I think of a kaleidoscope, I have memories as a child of holding up a tube filled with brightly colored glass or plastic to the light and turning the cylinder so that it created endless combinations of symmetrical colors and shapes. I did not then understand the construction of the device, or how prisms precisely placed created the beautiful shapes. I just knew that it was exciting and special, and no two images seemed to be the same. If you look up the word in Webster’s Dictionary, you will find a very cut and dried definition of the word that is similar to what I remember as a child: an instrument containing loose bits of colored material (such as glass or plastic) between two flat plates and two plane mirrors so placed that changes of position of the bits of material are reflected in an endless variety of patterns.

The Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) & the Sustainable Library Certification Program (SLCP)

by Rebekkah Smith-Aldrich, MLS, LEED AP, co-founder of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, and executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System (NY) 

The Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) provides library leaders, which we define as all library workers and trustees, with a proven path forward to co-create libraries and communities that will thrive in the coming years. The Sustainable Library Certification Program and the SLI community of practice focus your leadership to enable your library, and ultimately your community, to become more environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically feasible.

Federal Advocacy: Tell Congress to Fund Libraries in FY2026

The Congressional committees in the House and Senate that decide the federal budget have included funding for library services in the Institute of Museum and Library Services, as well as for the Innovative Approaches to Literacy program in the Department of Education, in their latest bill drafts.

Sign the Protect MI Right to Read Petition

The Protect MI Right to Read Petition calls on Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature to defend the freedom to read, support library workers, and protect critical statewide library programs like MeL and MeLCat. Add your name to show your support for Michigan’s public libraries and everyone’s right to access information freely.

Call for Nominations for MLA Board

The Call for Nominations for candidates for the 2025 Board of Directors is now open! The Nominating and Leadership Development Committee (NLDC) is seeking nominations/self-nominations for four member-at-large directors as well as the President-elect position, with terms beginning in July 2026 and ending in June 2029.

Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks New Episode

Check out the latest episode of Chapter & Verse: Literacy and Leadership: Building Community Through Librarianship.

In this episode, hosts Dillon Geshel and Christine Peele sit down with Susan Taylor, Branch Manager of the Edison Branch Library at the Detroit Public Library (DPL). Susan reflects on her two decades in librarianship, beginning with her early experiences in Jamaica and spanning a variety of roles across DPL. She shares powerful moments from her work as a literacy specialist, where she helped adults strengthen their reading skills, and offers insight into the evolving role of libraries in today’s communities. The conversation explores how technology—including AI—may shape the future of public libraries, the importance of listening and adaptability in serving patrons, and Susan’s passion for creating meaningful connections with the community.