Announcing MLA's New Executive Director, Dillon Geshel!

The Michigan Library Association Board of Directors is happy to announce the appointment of Dillon Geshel as the association's new Executive Director. Following a comprehensive executive search and selection process, Geshel, who has served as MLA’s Interim Executive Director since May 2025, will continue leading the association and advancing its mission to support libraries and library professionals across Michigan.

Celebrate March is Reading Month with Your Local Legislators

This March, libraries across the state will celebrate literacy, learning, and the lifelong impact of reading during March is Reading Month. It’s also an important moment to showcase the many ways libraries lead and strengthen their communities, from early literacy and beyond.

FY 2026 Federal Budget Update

There is cautious optimism for federal funding that supports libraries as Congress works to finalize the FY 2026 budget. Although the President’s FY 2026 budget proposal called for eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Congress has instead moved to sustain the agency, rejecting the administration’s elimination proposal and maintaining funding near FY 2025 levels. Earlier this month, the U.S. House advanced a bipartisan Labor–HHS–Education appropriations bill that preserves approximately $291.8 million for the IMLS.

Youth Summit for the Right to Read

In 2026, we’re excited for the Youth Summit for the Right to Read with BookRiot’s Kelly Jensen, an Intellectual Freedom Summit for 100 library leaders, and regional coalition-building trainings with EveryLibrary. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months. Together, we’re strengthening Michigan libraries, uplifting communities, and championing the right to read in 2026 and beyond!

Note From Lisa

As many of you know, my time with the Michigan Library Association is coming to a close. After nearly seven years as MLA’s Administrative Assistant, it’s hard to put into words what this community has meant to me. Working alongside such passionate, dedicated professionals has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.

Remembering Randy Riley

The Michigan Library Association mourns the loss of Randy Riley and expresses our deepest sympathies to his family and friends, the Library of Michigan team, and the hundreds of colleagues and friends across Michigan’s library community.

As Michigan’s State Librarian since 2014, Randy’s passion, character, and commitment to the betterment of libraries were always evident in his work. Today, MLA honors the life and legacy of our friend and library champion, Randy.