Executive Director's Desk - January 11, 2018

It's Time to Update Your Professional Development Plan

A successful career takes time, effort and planning. The new year is a good time to review your professional development plan. Your blueprint should include a summary of your ambitions, objectives and goals. According to the global talent solutions company, Hudson, a career development plan is designed to outline your interests, values and skills, and to help you think about:

President's Update - January 11, 2018

If you haven't heard the wonderful news, Lance Werner, Executive Director of Michigan's Kent District Library, and former President of the MLA Board of Directors, has been named Library Journal's 2018 Librarian of the Year! Lance is certainly a change agent, like I was talking about last month. The LJ article on Lance notes that he says he's just a regular guy that cares about his constituents. If you know Lance, beyond his gregariousness he has a greatness for getting the job done. This is all part of why Lance was also named the MLA Librarian of the Year for 2017!

Michigan's LJ Index Star Libraries

Four Michigan libraries named Star Libraries in the tenth edition of the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service, a national rating system designed to recognize and promote America’s public libraries.

Ann Arbor District Library, Richland Community Library, West Bloomfield Township Public Library and Genesee District Library were among 259 U.S. public libraries to receive star ratings in 2017 out of a total of 7409 libraries scored. Ann Arbor District Library is one of only 69 libraries to receive star ratings in all 10 editions of the LJ Index and one of only 13 public libraries to receive a five-star rating in every edition.

Lance Werner Named 2018 Library Journal Librarian of the Year

Lance Werner, executive director of Kent District Library, named Library Journal’s 2018 Librarian of the Year. View the article here: 

http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2018/01/awards/lance-werner-ljs-2018-librarian-year/#

MLA Advocacy - November 30, 2017

Net Neutrality Rules Impact Us All

Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) must enable access to all legal content and applications regardless of the source and without favoring or blocking specific services or websites. Strong, enforceable rules are critical to the functioning of modern libraries because we rely on the internet to collect, create and disseminate essential online information and services to the public. Libraries and our patrons cannot afford to be relegated to "slow lanes" on the internet. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Pai publicly shared his plan to dismantle network neutrality protections approved by the FCC in 2015 and affirmed by the federal appeals court in 2016.

MLA Advocacy - October 26, 2017

NIS Insurance Start Date Pushed Back to February 2018 Due to Executive Order

President Trump's recent executive order targeting the Affordable Care Act has prompted some adjustments in the product offerings by the National Insurance Services (NIS) partnership with MLA. The group will now develop a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) as part of their program. This change will ensure that any libraries who wish to join the program after the initial startup will be able to do so without requiring that the entire group and its rates be re-evaluated. We sincerely regret the delay in getting the program underway. This response to the President's order is necessary to ensure a reliable and useful insurance product for our members. If renewal with your current carrier is due prior to February 1, 2018, it is recommended that you renew and NIS will follow up with you to help determine the best time to transfer to NIS.