Contents: Executive Director | News | Training | Special Offers | Vendor Spotlight | Product Spotlight | MeL
NOTES FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SCOTT GARRISON
MCLS’s Strategic Plan Listening Tour began in late February and continues into early March so we can get your input as we plan for the future. If you’re not able to attend a listening tour session (below), we hope you’ll give us up to 30 minutes of your time for a one-on-one interview with an MCLS staff member or Board member. Read on for information about sharing your thoughts with us – we need you!
The Midwest Collaborative for Library Services seeks your input as we craft our strategic plan
As we look to shape the future, we invite you to join us for our Listening Tour in late February and early March. We have ten 90-minute Listening Sessions planned where you can share your wisdom and creativity to help us co-create our next chapter together.
In particular, we will be exploring:
- Engagement and collaboration - building community and strengthening relationships with our member libraries and others with whom we work and collaborate.
- Investing in innovation - doing something no one else is doing, and/or scaling ideas from one or few libraries to many, with an “innovation mindset”.
- Championing and supporting our libraries - collaborating for the benefit of our libraries and their communities.
We hope that you can join us! You can read more and register for a session on our website.
Remaining listening sessions are planned for:
- All library types – Friday, March 1, 10:30 a.m. to noon Eastern (9:30-11 a.m. Central)
- Academic libraries – Monday, March 4, 3-4:30 p.m. Eastern (2-3:30 p.m. Central)
- K-12 school libraries – Tuesday, March 5, 4-5:30 p.m. Eastern (3-4:30 p.m. Central)
- Public libraries – Thursday, March 7, 10:30 a.m. to noon Eastern (9:30-11 a.m. Central)
- All library types – Thursday, March 7, 3-4:30 p.m. Eastern (2-3:30 p.m. Central)
- Special libraries and library organizations – Friday, March 8, 10:30 a.m. to noon Eastern (9:30-11 a.m. Central)
If you are unable to attend but are interested in sharing feedback, please email engagement@mcls.org to set up a time for a one-on-one interview.
Miranda Crittenden joins MCLS accounting department
Please join MCLS in welcoming Miranda Crittenden as our new Accounting Clerk. She joined MCLS at the end of Oct. 2023 as a temp and officially became a permanent staff member on Jan. 24, 2024. Miranda handles accounts receivables, so you may work with her if you have questions about payments and invoices.
We asked Miranda to share a bit more about herself:
Q: Tell us a little about your background. How did you get started in libraries?
A: I have never personally worked with libraries before, but I used to visit my local library (Jackson District Library) a lot when I was younger, and I appreciate everything libraries provide for their communities.
Q: What motivated you to take on this new role?
A: I wanted to learn and utilize more accounting processes.
Q: What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
A: I generally like to read or watch TV when I’m not working.
Q: Do you have a favorite author, book, or genre?
A: I like reading a variety of authors, so I don’t really have a favorite author, but I like to read Sci-fi/ Fantasy and Thrillers.
Q: What is one thing that instantly makes your day better?
A: Small compliments or simple acts of kindness are always nice and make a day better.
We are thrilled to have Miranda as a member of the MCLS team!
Vendor and Product Lightning Rounds provide bite-sized presentations on MCLS products
What is a Lightning Round? It is a quick and easy way for members to learn about eResource products available through MCLS. Attendees hear from five vendors who are allotted 15 minutes each to present the best of their products plus updates and information. In 2024 MCLS will host four Lightning Round vendor events on Zoom, each focused on a different library type!
Registration is now open for our first quarter Vendor Lightning Round for public library members scheduled for Wednesday, March 13 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Eastern (9:30-10:30 a.m. Central). We will host Data Axle, EBSCO, Mango Languages, Morningstar, and ProQuest. You’ll learn about some new products and updates and enhancements to established products these vendors offer. After registering, you will receive Zoom access information.
Additional Vendor Lightning Rounds take place second quarter for school library members, third quarter for medical library members, and fourth quarter for academic library members. Be sure to watch future newsletters for date announcements.
Have a suggestion for future vendor Lightning Rounds? We want to hear from you! Contact us at services@mcls.org 517-939-1382.
“Meet Me in the Middle” at our next Virtual Dialogue
Join MCLS’s Engagement, Consulting, and Training Team to connect and engage about working from the middle of an organization. If you manage people or projects while also answering to a director, dean, or other top position, we hope you can join us on Wednesday, March 20, from 10:30 a.m. to noon Eastern (9:30-11 a.m. Central) on Zoom for a discussion with your fellow mid-level managers. Please plan to have your microphone enabled and camera on to participate.
MCLS Virtual Dialogues are free. These guided conversations are designed for us to learn from and support each other across our two-state membership region. This year, our dialogues are geared toward specific library groups. Watch the email lists, our website, and future editions of the newsletter to find out who our next invited group will be for May.
ConsortiaManager Corner
Keeping library contact information up to date is a priority for MCLS! This includes the information in ConsortiaManager (CM) such as changes to name, title, email, phone, or which notifications you want to receive. To let Group Purchasing know about a CM contact update, you may either enter the new information directly in CM or email your requested updates to services@mcls.org. The MCLS team will finalize all contact updates.
Thank you for your efforts to help us keep information current and accurate!
The US Department of Labor’s O*NET Data Collection Program needs volunteers
The Occupational Information Network (O*NET), a program of the US Department of Labor, is the primary source of occupational information used by job seekers, employers, workforce agencies, and others who use such information in their daily activities. Previously compiled in the print reference book, The Occupational Outlook Handbook, this information is now made available exclusively online at O*NET Online. The USDOL is gathering occupational information for the O*NET Data Collection program and its approximately 1,000 occupations and is looking for Document Management Specialist volunteers to share information about their work to ensure the information available in O*NET is accurate and up to date.
If you work in a Document Management Specialist role or your work responsibilities involve Document Management Specialist activity and you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity, please reach out to services@mcls.org for detailed information.
Join the Agreements Group at our March meeting
Interested in contributing to the MCLS license agreement process? Consider joining the MCLS Agreements Group, which is dedicated to making sure the license agreements we develop with vendors align with the needs and interests of member libraries. From AI provisions to accessibility statements, there is a lot happening in the license agreement world and your involvement helps MCLS better support our libraries. Staff from all library types are welcome to join.
To find out more about the group and March meeting details, contact us at services@mcls.org.
Indiana libraries select MCLS to provide consulting services
We are pleased to announce that three Indiana libraries have selected Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) to work with them on projects this spring. We will be facilitating a strategic planning process for St. Joe County Public Library in South Bend, IN and offering staff professional development days for the David L. Rice Library at University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, IN and Nappanee Public Library in Nappanee, IN. We are looking forward to spending time with the staff members of these libraries!
Is your library looking for library-specific consultants, presenters, or facilitators? MCLS can help! Visit our webpage to read more or contact us to request a quote.
TRAINING
New semester of trainings now available for registration! The workshop schedule for January-June 2024 is now available at the MCLS Store.
Welcome, new MCLS member libraries!
Ascension St. Vincent Evansville Medical Library, IN
Ashley District Library, MI
Mount Clemens Public Library, MI
Tyson Library, IN
Walkerton-Lincoln Township Public Library, IN
Are you interested in becoming a member of MCLS? You can view our member benefits and access our online membership application here. Please email Gwen at membership@mcls.org with any questions.
Congratulations to our newest Certificate of Library Staff Development recipients
The following library staff members have earned Certificates of Library Staff Development by attending workshops through MCLS!
Basic Cataloging Certificate
Rebecca Kramb-Hubbard, Three Rivers Public Library, MI
Toni Nickerson, Branch District Library, MI
Rachel Rayburn, Calvin University, MI
Advanced Cataloging Certificate
Teresa Biegun, Macomb Community College, MI
Alison Blattner, White Pine Library Cooperative, MI
Andrea C. Howard, Brigham Young University Law Library, UT
Rachel Rayburn, Calvin University, MI
Essential Workplace Skills Certificate
Tracey Dee Coburn, Richland Public Library, WA
Abigayle Cronan, Cheboygan Area Public Library, MI
Christina Hunt, Crawfordsville District Public Library, IN
Sarah Olsen, Cheboygan Area Public Library, MI
Ruby Salmen, Roscommon Area District Library, MI
Are you interested in obtaining your Certificate of Library Staff Development? For details, see our website. Essential Workplace Skills tutorials are free to MCLS members as a member benefit! For questions, please email Gwen at training@mcls.org.
Upcoming MCLS Workshops
- Just Enough to be Dangerous: Cataloging for Non-Catalogers, Mar 21 (online)
- Rare Book Cataloging: An Introduction, 3-day class, Mar 26,27,28 (online)
- Supervisor Series: Learning to Manage for New Managers, Mar 28 (online)
- Transformative Agreements: Making the Move to Open Access, Apr 4 (online)
- Graphic Detail: Cataloging Graphic Formats, Apr 4 (online)
- Assigning Library of Congress Call Numbers: Advanced, 3-day class, Apr 9,10,11 (online)
- AACR2...Meet RDA, Apr 11 (online)
- Object Cataloging for a Library of Things, 3-day class, Apr 16,17,18 (online)
- Original Descriptive Cataloging of Digital Resources Using RDA, 3-day class, Apr 23,24,25 (online)
- Original Cataloging of Archival Materials Using RDA, 3-day class, Apr 23,24,25 (online)
- Supervisor Series: Effective Communication Strategies for Managers, Apr 25 (online)
- Authorities, 3-day class, Apr 30,May 1,2 (online)
MeL/MeLCat/RIDES Workshops
The MeL project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.
Explore Kanopy's "awe-inspiring" catalog
We are excited to introduce Kanopy BASE (KBASE), a dynamic collection of approximately 12,000 captivating films. As described by The New York Times, KBASE is truly "awe-inspiring," offering a diverse range of content spanning documentaries, foundational cinema, career technical education videos, essential DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) videos, and much more.
KBASE provides seamless, unlimited access to thousands of titles, including many with public screening rights, all for one annual FTE-based fee with the exclusive MCLS discount. Designed with budgetary considerations in mind, KBASE empowers intellectual growth, fosters critical analysis, encourages dialogue, and sparks curiosity.
Take advantage of a free trial to explore the platform and check out the videos from drama to action, fantasy to crime, comedy to documentary. Discover why Kanopy is the right choice for you and your institution. Act now to secure your subscription before prices increase in July!
For more information, contact Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382.
Kanopy Spring Semester Town Hall
Did you miss the Kanopy Spring Semester Town Hall on Jan. 31? Don't worry! You can catch up on all the updates and discussions by watching the recorded session. Use passcode 2.sJtj9 when prompted. Feel free to share this recording with your faculty members so they can stay informed about the latest developments at Kanopy.
Bloomsbury’s spring sale is underway
Bloomsbury is pleased to offer MCLS members additional savings on the one-time purchase of several digital resources through May 31, 2024. Berg Fashion Library subscribers save an extra 5% on the one-time purchase of the Bloomsbury Fashion Photography Archive and Bloomsbury Fashion Video Archive.
If you have any questions, or if you’d like to see title lists or set up free 30-day trials of any of these resources, please reach out to MCLS Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382.
Please note that Drama Online and Bloomsbury Collections are excluded from this sale.
New offers from ProQuest: genealogy and newspaper products and O’Reilly workforce resources
If your library is looking to add new resources this year, particularly in genealogy or newspapers (historical or recent, national, or state collections) or considering a workforce development platform for your patrons, consider these resource offers from ProQuest:
- If you have access or an active subscription to any genealogy databases (Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest, and Fold3), you can add Newspapers.com World at 45% off. You can also add any one of those three databases for 35% off if you have at least one as an active subscription.
- Receive a 25-35% discount on ProQuest state, regional, and national collections—either historical or recent—including US Major Dailies, US and Global Newsstream, and Historical Newspapers MI and IN state packages.
- Offer your patrons O’Reilly for Public Libraries workforce development product for 15-20% off with additional 60-day free access prior to committing to subscription. O’Reilly for Public Libraries contains over 50,000 eBook titles and over 30,000 video and course learning content focused on business and technology. You can learn more by watching this O'Reilly for Public Libraries overview video.
Free trials are available. For more information or to request a quote or trial, reach out to Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382.
This year, Doody's Core Titles® is a MUST-have
With thousands of new health sciences titles published each year, how do you know which titles remain relevant or are worth acquiring? Doody’s Core Titles® makes answering these questions a breeze! Selected by content experts and seasoned librarians, this annually published list of the most distinguished titles in 120+ health sciences specialties is the most popular collection development tool for health sciences librarians worldwide. The newest edition publishes in April, so now is the perfect time to equip yourself with this invaluable, and affordable, tool.
MCLS member libraries qualify for group purchasing rates. Contact MCLS Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382 to request a quote or trial.
We invite you to explore Films On Demand
Films On Demand is a thoughtfully curated collection of academic videos that have a favorable impact on instruction, annual cost, content quality, and ease of use. We have arranged a trial of the Archival Films & Newsreels, Allied Health, and Art & Architecture collections so that you may view and browse Films On Demand’s award-winning content.
Access all trials using this link.
Username: mcls1
Password: trial
Films On Demand‘s platform provides users with the content, tools, speed, and performance that today’s online experience demands. At Films On Demand, content matters. The video library is assembled not just with a focus on volume, but also with a discerning eye for quality and relevance. It is the result of decades of careful curating with a single guiding principle: providing every academic department on campus with the most essential video titles for their field of study. Plus, Films On Demand titles have won numerous awards, including Peabody, CLIO, Telly, Emmy®, CINE Golden Eagle Award, Video Librarian Best Documentary, FREDDIE Award, and many more!
We are offering a special promotion of 30% off any new Films on Demand subscription until March 31. If you are already a Films On Demand subscriber, you can add additional collections at a 30% discount.
For more information, contact Group Purchasing at services@mcls.org or 517-939-1382.
Laura Warren-Gross holds free MeL eResource Office Hours
Do you have questions about MeL eResources? Would it help to walk through an eResource step-by-step? Do you have questions about MeL content, features, or access? If so, MeL eResource Office Hours with Laura Warren-Gross might be right for you.
Office hours are held the fourth Wednesday of each month from 10-10:30 a.m. Eastern (9-9:30 a.m. Central) via Zoom. All Michigan library staff are invited. Please register to receive the Zoom link.