Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 13h

Behind every great community is a library. Behind every great library is you.

#LOVEMILibraries #MILibraryMonth #MIlibraries

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 2d

Contribute to the MLA Conference to ensure library staff and students will benefit from MLA's Educational Scholarship:

Donate a gift to the Silent Auction. Drop off your contribution to the Registration Desk at conference!

Ex. of previous items: swag & educational discounts or free webinars

Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 5d

Michigan libraries secured stable funding in the FY26 budget! LSTA is fully funded, MeL receives a one-time $900K boost. State Aid remains steady at $16.5M.

Thank you advocates for making your voices heard!

View the report for general omnibus budget: ow.ly/LTne50X6fGc

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Reposted by Michigan Library Association

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 7d

Yesterday's vote by the FCC to end #ERate discounts for Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs in libraries will have negative impacts in communities across the country, particularly in rural areas.

Read more, featuring ALA President Sam Helmick: apnews.com/article/fcc-...

FCC moves to end discounts for Wi-Fi hotspot lending and school bus connectivity

The Federal Communications Commission voted to end discounts for library and school Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs on Tuesday, drawing criticism from lawmakers and librarians who say the move will mak...

apnews.com

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 8d

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 2025 as Michigan Library Appreciation Month. ... I encourage all residents to visit their library in person or virtually to connect to the services, resources, and collections ..."
www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news...

www.michigan.gov

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 13d

We’re excited to gather with the library community in downtown Lansing this October! Get ready for your trip to the capital city right in the heart of our great state – check out lansing.org for fun things to do while you’re in town or ask Choose Lansing for some recommendations!

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 16d

Join our MLA Connect Advocacy Hour this Thursday at 10 AM!

MLA lobbyist Samantha Zandee will share the latest on budget talks and how the impasse could impact library funding. An LSTA line item must be included—without it, MeL & MeLCat are at risk.

Register: ow.ly/x1BK50X0AVH

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 19d

Behind every book loan is a person who feels seen, heard, or inspired.

#LOVEMILibraries #MILibraries

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 22d

What you are reading? Drop your current read below and browse through other people’s selections.

I’m halfway through my book club book, “Anita de Monte Laughs Last,” by Xóchitl González, on the Libby app. It’s a novel about a student who uncovers the work of Anita de Monte.
#MILibraries

Screenshot of Anita de Monte Laughs Last ebook in the Libby App.

Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 22d

“Michigan’s public libraries serve everyone, not just the loudest voices,” said Dillon Geshel, interim executive director of MLA. “The Petition to Protect MI Right to Read was created to send a clear message to our elected officials that public libraries exist to reflect all of us...”

Library group’s anti-censorship petition to be presented to Whitmer, lawmakers

Book ban attempts sparked the petition requesting Gov. Whitmer and lawmakers uphold First Amendment rights and increase support for state library services.

www.mlive.com

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 25d

Library admins, managers & staff—looking for vendor or program recs? The “No Reservation Recommendations” (NRR) site features options from your Michigan colleagues, at nrr.ninja.

Managed by Kate Pohjola Andrade (Woodlands), Laura Fromwiller (BTPL), & Shauna Quick (Library of Michigan).

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 26d

Michigan libraries need you! Call your legislators TODAY to support $5.6M in federal LSTA funds. Without it, MeL & MeLCat are at risk.
> Find your legislators here: ow.ly/ibrA50WVGeW

Your outreach to Representatives and Senators is critical to influencing the budget process.
#FUNDlibraries

Image is divided in two: the upper half is red and has bold white text that reads: Call to Action. The lower half is an image of the MICHIGAN Capitol in the summer, with a blue sky and full trees on either side framing it.

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 26d

How are libraries using tech (even AI!) while still staying rooted in community? Find out in our new Chapter & Verse episode with DPL’s Susan Taylor. Listen now: michiganlibrarypodcast.podbean.com/e/literacy-a...

Image displays episode number in a yellow-orange text, in the upper lefthand corner. The episode sponsor is listed in the upper righthand corner, which reads Midwest Tape & Hoopla. A graphic of a human sillouhette holding an open book is centered near the top, with different colored circles expanding out from its head. The name of the podcast, Chapter & Verse, is below in a bold stylized font. It then reads Storytime from the Stacks underneath. An image of the featured guest, Susan Taylor, is in the lower righthand corner. She is an adult african american woman dressed in a white turtleneck sweater and a gray plaid vest. Text introducing her as Susan Taylor from Detroit Public Library is listed in the lower center. MLA and the Library Cooperatives of Michigan's logos are in the lower lefthand corner. The background is a gradient of light to slightly darker bluish-green.

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 29d

Libraries are where discoveries happen, and where Michiganders can explore, learn, and connect with their community. During Michigan Library Appreciation Month and MI Right to Read Week (October 5–11), we are excited to honor Michigan libraries with the theme: “Find Out.”

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · 29d

Get ready for the MLA Annual Conference by diving into books from this year’s keynote speakers.

-Sept 18, 1 PM – The Wishing Bridge by Viola Shipman
-Oct 16, 1 PM – Attack from Within by Barbara McQuade

Both discussions are virtual! Register here: us05web.zoom.us/.../reg.../8....

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · Sep 2

Apologies for that! I will make sure to do that from now on.

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Reposted by Michigan Library Association

ALA Public Policy & Advocacy @librarypolicy.bsky.social · Aug 28

Have you signed up for ALA's latest free advocacy webinar?

Tune in Sep 9 @ 5pm ET / 4pm CT to learn how you can bring Congress to your library. In-person visits are among the MOST effective forms of advocacy.

Register: elearning.ala.org/local/catalo... #ForOurLibraries

Show up for our libraries. ALA American Library Association.

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · Aug 30

Your voice matters 💌 Help protect beloved statewide programs like MeL & MeLCat by asking Congress to #FundLibraries. ALA makes it easy to send a message.
👉 ow.ly/h4Mq50WNUSO

#SAVEIMLS #MILibraries

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · Aug 30

In case you missed it, MI libraries can use the ALA's Library Card Sign-Up Month kit, which offers up branded shareable graphics, PSAs, a press release, a sample proclamation, ALA's Library Value calculator, library usage facts, and more: www.ala.org/conferencese...
#LibraryCardSignUpMonth

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · Aug 23

Big wins for MI libraries on August 5:

Buchanan District Lib – Renewal/Headlee Override
Elk Rapids District Lib – Building Bond
Muskegon Area District Lib – Millage Renewal/Increase
Rochester Hills Public Lib – New Millage & Renewal
St. Ignace Public Lib – Millage Renewal
#MILibraries

St. Ignace Public Library's Millage Renewal Passed! Image of the exterior of St. Ignace Public Library on a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

Rochester Hills Public Library's New Millage & Millage Renewal Passed! Exterior view of the Rochester Hills Public Library, with an American flag blowing in the wind.

Elk Rapids District Library's New Building Bond Proposal Passed! Image of the Elk Rapids District Library set against a sunrise sky, with a sidewalk in the foreground going from the left to further away to the right. People are on the sidewalk, walking a bike.

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · Aug 23

We might be a month late, but we’re right on time with the excitement. 🎉
👏 Welcome Seth Randall & Laura Nimtz as new directors!
🎉 Congrats to Deanna Schroden & Trish Burns on your retirements—thank you for your incredible service to MI libraries!

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · Aug 22

A small shift in perspective can change everything.
Join us Oct 29–31 in Lansing for MLA 2025: Library Kaleidoscope – Shifting Perspectives.
Early Bird rates end Sept 5= $325 for MLA members.
Includes keynotes, meals, events, & lots of coffee + chocolate.
🔗milibraries.org/annual-conference-sessions

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Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · Aug 15

🗣🎙New episode alert!!

Give it a listen and don't forget to share this podcast with your fellow library enthusiasts!

Chapter & Verse is sponsored by Midwest Tape | Hoopla Digital

#LOVEMILibraries👇michiganlibrarypodca...

Community First: Strengthening Services in a Resource-Limited Library | Chapter & Verse: Storytime from the Stacks

In this episode, hosts Dillon Geshel and Kate Pohjola Andrade welcome Mary Gallup, director of the Clinton Township Public Library, who shares her inspiring path from stay-at-home mom to library leader. Mary reflects on the community connections that sparked her career, the creative programs and advocacy efforts that have shaped her tenure, and the realities of serving a small library with limited resources. The conversation dives into navigating political and township dynamics, championing intellectual freedom, and embracing the evolving role of libraries as vital community hubs. Chapter & Verse is produced by Association Briefings.

michiganlibrarypodcast.podbean.com

Michigan Library Association @milibraries.bsky.social · Aug 5

📰"Fife Lake library receives $18,000 grant for expansion project"
upnorthlive.com/news/local/f...

Fife Lake library receives $18,000 grant for expansion project

FIFE LAKE, Mich. (WPBN/WGTU)— The Fife Lake Public Library is set to expand, thanks to an $18,000 grant from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indi

upnorthlive.com

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Reposted by Michigan Library Association

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · Aug 4

Summer for thousands of people in Ann Arbor, Mich., means scavenging for hidden codes around the city and voraciously reading books to collect points. It's part of an enormously popular game that's been a triumph for the public library that runs it. www.npr.org/2025/08/04/n...

How a public library's summer game took over a Michigan city

Summer in Ann Arbor, Mich., means thousands of people hunting for hidden codes around the city and reading books to earn points. It's part of a popular game organized by the public library.

www.npr.org

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