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As your incoming President, I thought I’d share about my own MLA journey. My volunteer path with MLA began in the registration booth at an annual conference, and I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside the MLA staff and so many excellent volunteers at several conferences since. As a first-time library director, I participated in MLA’s mentorship program, which paired me with an experienced library director who helped me shape my own philosophy as a library leader today. I’ve also had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the mentorship program as a mentor, where I’ve learned just as much from Michigan’s up-and-coming library leaders. In June of 2021, I was honored to be appointed to the MLA Board. In the time since, I’ve served as Vice Chair of the annual conference workgroup, and currently serve as Chair while we put the finishing touches on next month’s gathering in Kalamazoo. Last year, I served as Chair of MLA’s new Intellectual Freedom Task Force, working alongside an exemplary group of MLA staff and volunteers to shape supporting resources for libraries. I also serve on the Legislative and Advocacy Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee. As I move into the MLA President role next month, I can’t wait to give back to the organization in new ways. MLA has a busy and exciting month ahead. I hope to see many of you at the MLA Annual Conference in Kalamazoo, October 18 – 20. Our conference planning workgroup has put together an excellent schedule of sessions and many special events and activities that seek to help you Connect the Dots between ideas, opportunities, and people. October is also Michigan Library Appreciation Month, a month-long celebration of our love for libraries. Keep an eye on MLA’s social media pages for celebratory posts you can engage with and share to help highlight our appreciation for Michigan libraries and library workers. Michigan Library Appreciation Month also aligns with another major MLA project – our MI Right to Read campaign, which aims to educate the public and grow our coalition of Michiganders opposed to removing books from library shelves. This six-month educational campaign will ramp up in October, and you can help us spread the word and advocate in your own communities by accessing resources and tools at mirighttoread.com.
Dillon Geshel |
