We are pleased to share that two valued MCLS team members have stepped into new roles as of Oct. 1, 2025! 

Ann Kaskinen, former MeL Engagement Specialist, K-12, is now our new TALK Program Coordinator and Laura Warren-Gross, former MeL Engagement Specialist, Public, is stepping into the role of Engagement Strategist. Due to federal funding uncertainties, the Library of Michigan made the decision not to renew its contract with MCLS for MeL eResources training. Fortunately, MCLS was preparing to expand our team in 2025, and the timing aligned perfectly to have Ann and Laura step into these new roles.  

Ann and Laura are well known to many Michigan libraries through MeL eResources training/engagement and conference presentations. In their new roles, they’ll continue to support libraries—now across Indiana, Michigan, and beyond—with even broader reach and deeper engagement. 

Read on to learn more about Ann and Laura and how they’ll continue to make a difference in the library community through MCLS. 

Ann Kaskinen, TALK Program Coordinator 

“I am excited to begin working as the new TALK Program Coordinator for MCLS, where I can support libraries focused on improving literacy for their youngest learners. I am already starting to meet many people who are passionate about connecting community organizations and families with literacy resources for 0- to 6-year-olds.” 

Ann began her career teaching high school ELA, social studies, and public speaking. After earning a library degree from CMU, she worked for 15 years as a K-12 Library-Media Specialist before joining the MCLS staff in 2019 as the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) Engagement Specialist for K-12. Ann also has experience as an ISD consultant, a teen librarian for a public library, and a government docs intern.   

In her new role, Ann is responsible for Text and Learn for Kindergarten (TALK), a service of MCLS designed for public library implementation. She coordinates demonstrations, contracts, support, TALK marketing and outreach, user community-building, and future development and strategy. As a member of the eLicensing and Collection Resources team, Ann also assists the department in providing customer service for other subscriptions through MCLS. To learn more about TALK and request a quote or demonstration, visit texandlearn.org. 

Laura Warren-Gross, Engagement Strategist

“I’m looking forward to building relationships with library staff in Indiana and Michigan as we continue to engage with libraries of all types.” 

Laura earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Arts in Library Media from Central Michigan University. She spent four years teaching high school English and Earth Science and 21 years as a school librarian prior to joining MCLS in 2021 as the MeL Engagement Specialist for Public Libraries. Laura participated in ALA’s Emerging Leaders program and was awarded MASL’s School Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award.  

As the new MCLS Engagement Strategist, Laura helps lead efforts to build meaningful, lasting relationships with people at all levels within the library profession. She utilizes engagement tools that combine strategic thinking with hands-on efforts to help academic, public, school, and special libraries achieve the extraordinary. If you are attending either the MLA or ILF annual conferences this fall, stop by our booth to meet her!  

The MeL project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.