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 »
If you’re going to be at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Philadelphia in June, keep an eye out for Executive Director Scott Garrison and eLicensing and Collection Resources Manager Sarah Beaubien, who plan to attend the conference. And even if you’re not going to ALA Annual this year, the MCLS Engagement, Consulting, and …Read more »
From before and through the print era to today’s digital world, libraries and other cultural memory organizations have preserved data, information, and more for centuries, which is critically important work especially in times of major transition. As the Michigan Digital Preservation Network (MDPN), the world’s first production LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keeps Stuff Safe) 2.0 …Read more »
Staff from Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) and MCLS will promote Text and Learn for Kindergarten (TALK) at the Public Library Association (PLA) 2024 conference April 2-5 in Columbus, OH. Based on Every Child Ready to Read, TALK is a text messaging service that prompts parents and caregivers to talk, sing, read, write, and play with …Read more »
The Michigan Digital Preservation Network (MDPN), a program of MCLS, is making great progress toward establishing the first production LOCKSS 2.0 network thanks to efforts from MDPN Coordinator Chelsea Denault, MDPN’s members, and the extended LOCKSS community. This month I’ll offer a few updates on this impactful work that will benefit libraries, museums, archives, historical …Read more »
This month I’ll recap the spring 2023 Think Space program from the Michigan Library Association (MLA), which featured journalist Ron French from Bridge Michigan, lobbyist Bob DeVries from GCSI, pollster Bernie Porn from EPIC-MRA, former politician Arlan Meekhof, and passionate librarians including the award-winning Amanda Jones from Louisiana. The speakers and participants offered an array …Read more »
Dr. Emily Knox (whose books include Book Banning In 21st Century America and Foundations of Intellectual Freedom) led a Feb. 8 workshop at Western Michigan University (WMU) that was a great opportunity for academic, public, and school library professionals to connect with library and information theory and practice, and one another. Dr. Knox’s workshop built …Read more »
I’m taking a pause this month to share that we at MCLS continue to hear loud and clear how hard things are for many in libraries across our region, and that we’re here to help however we can. Book challenges and other intellectual freedom issues, enrollment declines and other things driving budget problems, staff and …Read more »
This month, I’ll reflect on Dr. Emily Knox’s thought-provoking Feb. 7 lecture on intellectual freedom, book banning, and more that MCLS co-sponsored with Western Michigan University (WMU). Dr. Knox’s books include Book Banning In 21st Century America and Foundations of Intellectual Freedom. Her events drew a wide audience of academic, public, and school librarians and …Read more »
Following Kristin Fontichiaro’s recent presentation on mis- and disinformation, as Dr. Emily Knox’s lecture at WMU (and livestream) and workshop on intellectual freedom and book challenges approach on Feb. 7-8, and as I talk with libraries, I continue thinking a lot about diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and accessibility (DEIJA)—especially the pushback against these principles …Read more »
