Register Now for MLA's 2010 Spring Workshops and Conferences
Registration and full agendas for MLA’s 2010 Professional Development Spring Workshop Offerings are now available! Based on member feedback, the 2010 MLA Work Groups have formulated a strong lineup of educational opportunities designed to supplement your pool of knowledge and better prepare for the future of libraries and librarianship. Register early and save! Online registration is available!
Seeking Nominations for Children's Services Award of Merit and Frances H. Pletz Award
Nominations are currently being sought for the 2010 Children's Award of Merit and the Frances H. Pletz Award.
Recognize excellence in children's services! Do you know of a youth services librarian who has made a significant impact on the children visiting his or her library by bringing literature to them through innovative programming? Or someone who has made an outstanding contribution to library service for youth in Michigan? This is your opportunity to honor that colleague or coworker. Read more about the Children's Award of Merit and award criteria and submit your nomination form to Holly Kirsten, Chesterfield Township Library, at kirstenh@libcoop.net by by Feb. 22.
The state of teen services in Michigan public libraries has never been better! Might you know of a library worker whose work has made a significant impact on library services for teens? If so, this is your chance to honor a librarians, colleague, friend or staff member who deserves recognition for services to teens by nominating them for the Frances H. Pletz Award. Nominations must be submitted to Kevin King, Kalamazoo Public Library, at kevink@kpl.gov by Feb. 22.
MLA Calls for Board Nominations
The MLA Board of Directors is seeking candidates for the 2010 Board election. In April, members will vote for an MLA president-elect and three member-at-large board positions, each for a three-year term beginning July 2010 and ending June 2013. The nominations process begins with an open call for nominations for Board positions. This call invites all MLA members to nominate a colleague or to self-nominate. The Nominating Committee will review all nominations and may also seek additional individuals to meet identified needs. All nominees must be members of MLA at the time the slate is presented to the membership. It is anticipated that 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 will be extremely challenging years for Michigan, libraries and the Michigan Library Association.
MLA's ALA Councilor Reports on Midwinter Meeting
Mary Rzepczynski, assistant director of the Delta Township District Library, is Michigan's American Library Association councilor. The ALA Council is the governing body of ALA and establishes policies to plan and carry out programs and activities of the association. The Council meets twice a year, at ALA Midwinter Meeting and ALA Annual Conference. ALA's 2010 Midwinter Meeting was held Jan. 14-19 in Boston. A roundup of the Midwinter Meeting follows.
A complete listing of all resolutions and action items from Council Sessions will soon be available at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/council/councilactions/index.cfm.
Nominations for Michigan Author Award Due February 28
MLA is seeking nominations for the 19th Annual Michigan Author Award. This award recognizes an outstanding published body of fiction, nonfiction, poetry or play script. Candidates must be a current resident of Michigan, a long-time resident of Michigan recently relocated, or an author whose works are identified with Michigan because of subject and/or setting in Michigan. Nominations are due February 28.
