Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative

Director’s Report

December 2024 and January 202

State Budget/State Aid:

  • Congratulations to everyone! All our public library members submitted their State Aid Report on or before 1/30/25. We were one of the first cooperatives to have all their members done before the February 1 deadline.
  • The Governor has submitted a budget to the Legislators. However, we have not heard whether there will be an increase in State Aid for 2025-2026 year. The process is just beginning and many things could change by September.

 Cooperative Services

  • On February 4th we had our Advisory Council Meeting with Guest Speakers Anne Heidermann, Tribal Librarian and Winney Wemigwase from Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan.
  • We also had a suggestion on having another Advisory Council Meeting via zoom in May in place of the joint meeting with MMLC Board. If anyone has any thoughts on this please email Eric.

 Library Cooperatives of Michigan (LCM)]

  • LCM Continuing Education is happy to announce the winners of the Marketing Makeovers:Wakefield Public Library
    Brown City Public Library
    Oscoda County District Library
    Ionia Community Library
    Lenox Township Library
    Romulus Public Library
    Gloria Coles Flint Public Library
    Congratulations to MMLC member Gloria Coles Flint Public Library for being one of the winners.
  • Trenton Smiley and his team of volunteers will be working with the winners on a Marketing Makeover. Even if you were not one of the winners you will be able to attend one of 3 different sessions on Marketing, where Trenton will be using the winners as examples in the sessions. The three sessions will be on March 27, the second on April 17 and the final one on May 8 at 2pm via Zoom.

 Library of Michigan (LM)] Randy Riley, State Librarian

  • The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo ordering a pause in the disbursement of federal funding, effective at 5:00 p.m., January 28th, while federal agencies evaluate the compatibility of this funding with the administration’s priorities. This memo included LSTA funds allotted to the Library of Michigan (LM) by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). LM uses LSTA funds to support MeL, subgrants to libraries, continuing education stipends and other statewide library services and resources.
  • On January 29, the federal OMB rescinded the memo.  While this has been a rapidly changing, and confusing situation, IMLS has informed LM that, at this time, they may continue activities related to the federal funding as normal. Contracts related to MeL, including the MeL databases and MeLCat, were already paid for the current fiscal year, ending on 9/30/2025, prior to the “pause” and any “freezing” of federal funds would not impact the delivery of these services during this fiscal year.

Michigan Library Association (MLA): Debbie Mikula, Executive Director

  • Registration is Open for Michigan Library Advocacy Day 2025.
    • Michigan’s libraries are beacons of knowledge, hope, and progress. They illuminate limitless possibilities, inspire and encourage curiosity and exploration, and connect us to information and resources. Libraries light the way!
    • On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the library community will gather at the Capitol in Lansing to meet with legislators to build relationships while we advocate for library funding and support. Join us and help shine a light on all the good your library is doing in your community!
    • Registration is $25 and includes an Advocacy Day T-shirt, a boxed lunch, and a custom agenda. MLA will schedule a meeting between you and your legislator(s) or legislative staff.
    • You do not need to be a member of MLA to register to attend Advocacy Day. All that is required is to be prepared to meet one-on-one or in a small group with your legislator or their staff. This is the most important part of Advocacy Day. But you don't need prior experience to join us! Training for all advocates participating in Michigan Library Advocacy Day will be held via Zoom on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 10:00-11:00 AM
    • Learn more and Register

Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS): Scott Garrison, Executive Director

  • MCLS welcomed Brian Kudron on Jan. 6, 2025 as the MeLCat Support & Training Specialist. In this new role, Brian will be deeply involved in the MeLCat training process, including hosting webinars, providing in-person training, and maintaining accurate training materials. Additionally, he will staff the help desk to assist with issues and questions pertaining to MeLCat and RIDES.
  • Text and Learn for Kindergarten, or TALK, uses an innovative approach to help parents and caregivers of children from birth to five years old prepare children for school success. The service provides simple activity ideas delivered in an easily accessible format — via text message. Parents and caregivers with a library card from a participating library can sign up through that library to receive fun, librarian-curated activity suggestions via text messages. These activities encourage back-and-forth interactions and assist little ones in getting ready for kindergarten.
  • TALK is a service of the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services(MCLS) and was originally created by the Ypsilanti District Library with support from the Library of Michigan and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Ypsilanti District Library led a team of local early learning experts to create the initial set of activities, with a specific focus on readability, accessibility, and cultural sensitivity. An IMLS grant funded the launch of TALK for public libraries in Michigan in 2020, with Indiana libraries added in 2023.

MMLC Administration:

  • Eric met with Shelia and her staff at Pere Marquette District Library in the morning and then in the afternoon met with Amy and her staff at Coleman Area Library
  • Eric attended the LCM DEI committee meeting.
  • Eric attended the MLA Connect Advocacy Hour with Anne Seurynck. This meeting was originally scheduled for November but was postponed until December.
  • Eric attended the LM update.
  • Eric participated in the Laingsburg Public Library Board meeting in a discussion on their future.
  • Eric attended the Call meeting with the directors of the Lapeer County libraries.
  • Eric participated in the LCM meeting
  • We had our MMLC Board Meeting with our auditors where MMLC received an unmodified opinion.
  • Eric attended a meeting with LCM CE committee and Trenton Smiley to discuss the winners of the Marketing Makeovers
  • Eric attended the MLA webinar: Protecting the Freedom to Read with Your Library's Material Reconsideration Process
  • Eric met with Trenton Smiley, Taliah Abdullah and some of her staff to talk about the Marketing Makeover.

Respectfully submitted,
Eric Palmer
MMLC Director