The Indiana State Library (ISL) and the Library of Michigan (LM) provide critical funding from federal and state sources that power infrastructure supporting the work of hundreds of libraries. The Indiana Library Federation (ILF), the Michigan Library Association (MLA), and others have been advocating for support for ISL and LM. Both states’ legislatures have made …Read more »
The next date in MCLS’s popular Virtual Dialogue series is Thursday, July 17, from 10:30 a.m. to noon Eastern (9:30-11 a.m. Central). Our 2025 Virtual Dialogues are designed to provide opportunities for those in the library industry to connect and engage around various topics related to the future of libraries. This month we’ll discuss the …Read more »
We are pleased to announce that the Indiana Library Federation (ILF) has selected Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) to facilitate their upcoming strategic planning process. In addition, Indianapolis Public Library (IN) has invited MCLS to provide a staff day training for their Talent & Development Department this fall. We are excited to …Read more »
Get ready for the 2025 MI OER Conference: Limitless Learning, Infinite Impact at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Registration opens July 15! MCLS is pleased to partner with libraries and library organizations throughout Indiana and Michigan. One of these groups is the Michigan OER Network, a collaborative team representing …Read more »
In 2024, MeLCat began a project modernizing the INN-Reach software running MeLCat, as well as the DCB software, introducing a new, web-based client. The project kicked off with the central server update last July. In early 2025, we began modernizing the DCB servers, one at a time, and in late spring, we completed the final …Read more »
On May 27, MCLS welcomed James Orme as the new Financial Controller/Business Manager. James is a triple threat for this position as he has extensive management experience in libraries, finance, and HR. Staff is excited to have him on the management team, where he will oversee MCLS’s accounting, administrative, and business operations. To help introduce …Read more »
The MCLS Board of Directors Nominating Committee seeks nominations from the MCLS membership for the following Board openings for 2026-2028: Academic Library Representative (Indiana) At-Large Library Representative (Indiana) Public Library Representative (Indiana) School Library Representative (Indiana) Academic Library Representative (Michigan) Special Library Representative (Michigan) Each seat serves a three-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and …Read more »
Defining the Library Consortium Libraries today operate in complex environments, navigating evolving community expectations, and a growing set of unknowns. Whether large or small, urban or rural, all libraries share the common challenge of delivering high-quality services in a sustainable and impactful way. In this context, library consortia like the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services …Read more »
The new semester of training workshops is now available! Visit the MCLS Store for the full summer/fall 2025 semester of training workshops and to see all workshops currently open for registration! We are pleased to introduce Intermediate Rare Book Cataloging workshop taught by Tad Boehmer from Michigan State University. The Rare Book Cataloging: An Introduction …Read more »
On Monday, June 30, 2025, Indiana native and bestselling author John Green – known for The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska – will appear at the Pike Performing Arts Center for a one-night-only event focused on censorship, intellectual freedom, and the growing battle over access to books. Titled Censorship in the Trenches: …Read more »
