As usual, it’s a very busy time at MCLS as we close one fiscal year (FY) and begin another. Here are some updates about what’s happening as we move from FY2026 to FY2027.

• The MCLS Board of Directors met on May 15 at MCLS’s Lansing office. They discussed topics including our FY2027 operating budget and how we can improve budgeting and financial reporting processes, recent committee work on our nominations process for the 2027-2029 Board term and our in-person event for members on October 9, and how MCLS can continue helping gather and share information about the positive impacts that libraries make for people across all stages of life. They also voted to establish a new Board vision statement that takes effect July 1, which reads:

Midwest Collaborative for Library Services exists so that:

Libraries can benefit by gaining expanded access to resources, innovative and stable library services, and collaborative efforts, worth the continuing investment of members and affiliates.

1. 1. Libraries have the support and tools to equip their staff with the skills and knowledge to succeed
      • Library staff have access to professional development in library skills
      • Library staff have access to engagement opportunities in the areas of concern to their community
   2. Libraries have access to innovative technologies and strategies that help them accomplish their goals
      • Libraries enjoy access to systems deployed at a scale they could not manage on their own
      • Libraries benefit from new systems and strategies they would be unable to experiment with on their own
   3. Libraries have the resources and tools to demonstrate their value within their communities and with decision makers
   4. Libraries have a compelling rationale of the value of collaboration and collective strategy, being part of the network of Indiana and Michigan libraries

Our Board used data from their 2025 survey of MCLS members to create this statement, the first major revision to the Board’s vision for MCLS since November 2017. The staff and I have already begun operationalizing elements of it as part of implementing the current MCLS strategic plan and we’ll have much more to say about that in future MCLS newsletters.

• One major step in implementing our plan is gathering data about how we’re doing toward our objectives. I thank each of the 443 individuals from MCLS member libraries who took our spring strategic plan objective measurement survey! Our partners at the Indiana University Center for Survey Research sent a detailed survey results report in mid-June, and our management team and I are currently poring through the data our members gave us about where MCLS is strong and has room to improve so we can share what we learned.
• One thing we’ve heard loud and clear is that MCLS members want more opportunities to engage with each other in person on topics that help them serve their communities. I hope you’ve marked your calendar for our members-only in-person event on Oct. 9 at the St. Joe County Public Library! Space will be limited, so watch for your invitation in early July and make sure your MCLS membership is current so you can join us for a thought-provoking day featuring a keynote by Dr. Kate McDowell, author of Critical Data Storytelling for Libraries: Crafting Ethical Narratives for Advocacy and Impact, and a workshop on crisis communication with Thom Fladung from Hennes Communications.

Our dedicated staff are hard at work on a variety of other projects including considering new vendors and products for our eLicensing program, adding new training members have requested, continuing to improve our accounting and financial processes and infrastructure, preparing to launch a new MCLS website, and many more. Together, we work to help libraries, partner organizations, and community initiatives grow and thrive however possible.

How does or could MCLS help your library? Let me know at garrisons@mcls.org.