MCLS began work on a strategic plan last year, and I’m pleased to share the basics of our emerging 2025-2028 plan this month. Our strategic plan is a flexible, living document we can adapt as rapid change for libraries and their users continues. We used a strengths-based process to create our plan based on input …Read more »

September 2024 begins a new chapter for the MCLS eLicensing and Collection Resources (eLCR) team with Sarah Beaubien taking the helm as the eLCR Manager. Her extensive library expertise encompasses management, budget oversight, collections, scholarly communication, instruction, user services, library facilities, and pandemic planning. Stephanie Davis will continue in her role as Associate Director at MCLS until …Read more »

With the end of the IMLS grant on July 31 marking TALK a service of MCLS, we are working diligently to both promote the TALK: Text and Learn for Kindergarten service nationally and ensure subscribing libraries have all the tools needed to bring TALK to their communities. Our first conference stop this fall is ARSL in Springfield, MA. Stop …Read more »

A new Essential Workplace Skills self-paced tutorial is now open and ready for registration! This tutorial, Introduction to Writing Skills for Librarians taught by MCLS Library Strategist Jenny Kobiela-Mondor, includes writing skills relevant for all library staff. Course Description: Effective and appropriate written communication is important for much of the work we do in libraries, …Read more »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 2024 For more information, please contact: Scott Garrison Executive Director Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) garrisons@mcls.org   Midwest Collaborative for Library Services welcomes new eLicensing and Collection Resources Manager Sarah Beaubien  Lansing, MI—The Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Beaubien as …Read more »

This month I’ll finish my spring 2024 Michigan Library Association Think Space recap (continuing from part one in July), focusing on presentations on experimentation, future-proof space, and powerful partnerships. I thank Jennifer Dean (UM-Flint) and Lisa Waskin (Superior District Library) for major contributions to this month’s piece.  Architecture librarian Cathryn Copper from the University of …Read more »

The onboarding of a new employee can and should be SO much more than signing paperwork and one week of training. By viewing onboarding as a process over time and planning with purpose, libraries and other workplaces can create positive experiences that lead to more satisfied staff and higher retention. Library staff across Indiana and …Read more »

We are pleased to announce that Mott Community College Library in Flint, MI has selected Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) to provide consulting services for a staff day in September. We have enjoyed working with the staff of Mott Library several times and look forward to being with them again. Is your library looking …Read more »

The MCLS OverDrive for Academics group now consists of both Indiana and Michigan academic libraries! The addition of Indiana’s Earlham College prompted a slight name change, moving it from OMiA (OverDrive for Michigan Academics) to OMIA (OverDrive for Michigan and Indiana Academics). Expanding the group beyond Michigan to Indiana has been a goal since the …Read more »

IMLS grant funds are available until July 10, 2024 to cover the cost of text messages for new TALK subscribers anywhere in the United States. These funds are available on a first come, first served basis to individual public libraries, co-ops, groups of libraries, and state-level implementations. Please note that grant funds do not cover …Read more »