Books matter because they offer understanding, comfort, and possibility- often at the exact moment someone needs it most.

Library staff help make those moments possible.

Books don’t have on/off switches and don’t require batteries. They’re just ready for a curious reader to open their pages.

#librarybooks #reading

MLA call for proposals for the annual conference in Novi, October 28 through 30, with a list of potential topics from AI to Sustainability. Images feature sessions from past conferences.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS - MLA 2026 Annual Conference, October 28-30!
This year’s theme, "Beyond Buzzwords: An Enduring Public Good," is all about turning ideas into real impact. Share your expertise & help shape the future of MI libraries.
www.milibraries.org/call-for-pro...

Fund Libraries: Tell Congress to invest in libraries. ALA 150, American Library Association.

Have you called your House Rep to #FundLibraries yet? We know calling your elected officials can be intimidating - that's why we've made the process quick and simple. Head to ala.org/showup and urge Congress to support library funding in next year's federal budget!

Votes recorded on hr 7661 in House Committee for Education and Workforce Development’s markup.

HR 7551, the National book ban bill, has passed the markup and is being recommended to the House with amendment. Here’s who voted how.

This isn’t over. CALL YOUR HOUSE REPS NOW.

Libraries Fight Illiteracy Read more about libraries and literacy here!

As most librarians know, the ability to read and write is tied to nearly every activity in modern society

action.everylibrary.org/libraries_fi...

The amazing thing about libraries is that they’re for everyone and you can learn all you want without paying tuition.
#milibraries

Authors gonna write. Publishers gonna publish. Libraries gonna share. Readers gonna read.

MLA Spring Institute for Youth Services 2026 Special Events: Reception at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum on Wednesday, March 18 from 6 - 8 PM.

MLA Spring Institute for Youth Services 2026 Special Events: Grand Rapids Scavenger Hunt on Thursday March 19 beginning at 5 PM Downtown.

MLA Spring Institute for Youth Services 2026 Special Events: MLA Literary Awards Announcements on Friday, March 20 from 8:45 - 9 AM

Spring Institute for Youth Services: Thursday, March 19 - Friday, March 20 at the Eberhard Center/Downtown Holiday Inn, Grand Rapids. See you in 3 days! MLA logo

This week, youth services librarians & library staff are gathering for the Spring Institute for Youth Services. Over 2 exciting days, attendees will take part in inspiring sessions, hear from featured speakers, connect with colleagues, and more!

We can’t wait: www.milibraries.org/spring-insti...

Don’t like a book you’re reading? That’s okay, try a different one. For every book, there is a reader, and for every reader, a book.

Libraries offer stories.

And in them you can find answers to most of life's questions. They can also inspire you to ask questions of your own.

Tell Congress: Protect Library Funding in bold letters against a dark blue background. Federal funding supports essential services at libraries nationwide. Those services are in jeopardy if federal funding is eliminated. Contact your Senators and Representative and urge them to save federal funding for libraries. Show up for our libraries!

Support Federal Library Funding for FY27! ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy office recently learned: House of Rep. leaders have begun the budget process more than a month earlier than expected.

Urge your House Representative to sign letters in support: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

Text that reads MLA Connect Advocacy Hour, The Llano Decision and the Right to read, Thursday, February 19 at 10 AM, with the MLA logo in the lower right corner.

What does the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Little v. Llano County really mean for libraries and book challenges?

Join us tomorrow at 10 AM on Zoom to hear from Intellectual Freedom Taskforce experts.
Questions? Email them - MLA@milibraries.org by today, 2/18, 12:00pm.

Register: ow.ly/RQsE50YhCbh

White text that says "Written in the Stars: Books and BEyond" against a dark purple background with a book constellation.

MLA's Amber Sheerin was recently a guest on the Written in the Stars: Books and Beyond podcast, produced by Robin Moore, John Szilagyi, Ami Ewald, and Abby Tebeau from LCC.

Amber discussed book bans, the right to read freely & more. Thank you to LCC for hosting us!

Listen here: ow.ly/HMrI50YhCYE

A man dressed in a maroon sweater standing in front of a bookcase full of library books. MLA's logo at the top, centered. Text in black reads: Dillion Geshel appointed as new Executive Director.

The MLA Board has appointed Dillon Geshel as our new Executive Director! After serving as Interim Director since May 2025, Dillon’s proven leadership in advocacy and his deep commitment to Michigan libraries made him the unanimous choice to lead us into this next chapter.

Congratulations, Dillon!

Group of library supporters at the Michigan Capitol for Library Advocacy Day 2025.

Registration for Michigan Library Advocacy Day is open 1 week early exclusively for 1st time participants. No experience? We’ll handle your legislator meetings, provide talking points, & host a training session. www.milibraries.org/advocacy-day

Registration for everyone opens 2/13.

Activity Pass - Michigan Activity Pass Use your public library card to “check-out” free or discounted passes to hundreds of cultural destinations, parks, campgrounds and recreation areas.

My library card is the best card in my wallet. There’s no APR. I can borrow stuff, and use my library’s online databases and streaming services. And I can visit Michigan Activity Pass locations for free or with discounted admission at miactivitypass.org.

An aerial shot of Grand Rapids set above text that reads: Spring Institute for Youth Services: Thursday, March 19 - Friday, March 20, in Grand Rapids. Registration now open! With MLA's colorful logo in the lower right corner. Youth-inspired graphics decorate the image.

Spring Institute 2026 is back March 19-20! It’s Michigan’s premier spot for 250+ youth librarians to swap ideas, explore new exhibits, and build community.

Pro-tip: The Early Bird rate is live NOW through Feb 13!
Register here: ow.ly/F4Wc50XWLXp

#MLASpringInstitute #YouthServices #MiLibraries

A collage of library logos rests above text that reads MLA Connect, Advocacy Hour. PRotectig Library Funding in Michigan, Thursday, January 15 at 10 AM, with a computer mouse graphic to indicate that it's online.

A proposal to redirect penal fines to trial courts could be disastrous for MI public libraries.

Join MLA’s Advocacy Hour on Zoom tomorrow, Jan 15 at 10 AM to learn how we can defend this vital funding.

Signup: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

In a world of monthly fees and digital paywalls, your library card remains the "all-access pass" to everything you’re curious about. From bestsellers and DIY guides to hobby kits and streaming movies, your local libraries provide the tools for you to learn, grow, and explore—all without the bill.

Applications Open for Games and Gaming Round Table 2026 “Game On!” Grant

Applications are now open for the 2026 Game Grant, offering $1,000 - $2,000 to help ALA member libraries expand their collections or develop innovative gaming programs for their communities.
Apply by March 15: read more about this opportunity: www.ala.org/news/2026/01...

We would like to wish the entire library community a peaceful and joyous holiday season and a happy new year!

MLA will be closed for the holidays from December 24, 2025 through January 2, 2026. We will be back and ready to serve the library community in the new year on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Join us this Thursday, December 18 at 10 AM on Zoom for our next MLA Connect Advocacy Hour: State and Federal Budget Updates and Outlook on Library Funding in 2026.

Register to attend: ow.ly/a6zb50XKiq5

MLAConnect #MLAAdvocacyHour #MILibraries #FundLibraries

For directors, managers, Trustees, and IT staff:

MLA has a webinar for you - MLA Connect On Demand: Website Accessibility, Ensuring ADA Compliance for Your Library, held on February 12, 2025 and recorded. You must be logged in to your MLA account in order to access: ow.ly/EGEO50XKiOJ

#MILibraries

Ever wondered how you can give back or contribute to the Michigan library field?
Invest in the MI Library staff: Your tax-deductible gift to MLA supports professional development. Help us reach our $3,500 goal for the Educational Scholarship Fund.
Visit ow.ly/Gq1u5… to learn more and to donate.

Mentee applications for spring mentoring partnerships open February 1 and close February 28. Mentor applications remain open all year: www.milibraries.org/mentor-program

#MILibraries

Maybe you haven't had time to read lately. Maybe life got in the way.
That's okay. Libraries welcome you back.
Or maybe you're looking for more than "reading." Libraries are where you can find activities, events, and even a club to belong to.
Visit your local library.
MILibraries #LOVEMILibraries

Congratulations to Katrina Rouan and Ashten VanderPloeg on their appointments, and Teresa Natzke on her upcoming retirement!!

Don't forget that the deadline to submit your presentation proposals for Spring Institute for Youth Services is this Friday!
ow.ly/P5kK50XqTgY

#MichiganLibraryAssociation

Don’t know how to support your local library? Consider what you’re able to do and commit to. Here are a couple of options:

Ask them if they need volunteers!

If they don’t need volunteers, ask them how you can donate. Libraries can always use donations to help with their program offerings and more!