Letter from Debbie

November 27, 2019

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I find joy in sitting back and taking just a few minutes to pause and reflect on the work we do together to help libraries and library professionals succeed. Today, I get to send my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of you who work in our school, academic, public and special libraries throughout this beautiful state and to say thank you for everything you do to support MLA. But perhaps even more important, I get to say thank you for the work that you are doing locally and within your own environs.

Thank you for serving the individual needs of your patrons in checking out books, DVDs, audiobooks and magazines.

Thank you for offering your expertise to help patrons find the best resources, lead people to the worthiest research and even offering tutoring for those that need an extra boost.

Thank you for providing your expertise so that in today’s world, we can decipher fact from fiction.

Thank you for helping your patrons use computers, scanners, Wi-Fi and printers.

Thank you for offering them a quiet space to study and open space for meetings.

Thank you for offering the kinds of programs that allow patrons to experience new things and experiment in a safe and welcoming environment.

Thank you for being centers of community and connecting individuals with those that might not connect otherwise.

Thank you for all you do to eliminate illiteracy and teach the love of reading to all that walk through your doors.

Thank you for being a place where families, teens, refugees, children, those with disabilities, and all others feel welcome. Your kindness, patience, and acceptance are to be commended.

Thank you for showcasing, displaying and exhibiting local collections and art within your spaces.

Thank you for providing the energy that fuels the imagination, especially in your youth service areas.

Thank you for being the heart and soul of your community or institution.

At this time of Thanksgiving, I’ll share one of my favorite quotes: “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” G.K. Chesterton

I send you both my thanks and my gratitude for all you do.

Deborah E. Mikula
Executive Director

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