Director's Reports

Conference Reports

News from MMLC:

Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative

Director’s Report
March - April 2013

State Budget/State Aid:
State Aid, FY 2012-13:  Library of Michigan has continued to process first half SA checks and about two-thirds of MMLC libraries have received payment. 

Cooperative Services:
Performer Programming:  Over 400 programs have been scheduled for the 2013 calendar year with many throughout the year.  A few of the performers have been booked for mini-tours with several libraries and that has been popular with libraries.  Irene has been working with the Michigan Library Association (MLA) and Library of Michigan (LM) to incorporate the MMLC Fall Performer Showcase into a yearlong series of events and continuing education offerings.  Showcase, scheduled this year in September, will be the kick-off to that series. 

Advocacy:  An interesting bill in the Michigan legislature right now is one that challenges the right of  Downtown Development Authorities in several municipalities to siphon funding from the Detroit Zoo and Detroit Institute of Arts millages.  House Rep. Kowall introduced the legislation and has rejected MLA lobbyists’ attempts to add libraries to the bill. The concern is that it would become too cumbersome if others signed on and the potential for successful passage in both houses would not be as strong.  The library community will be watching to see if the outcome will set a precedent for future library action.

Gun Legislation:   The MI Supreme Court has not ruled yet on whether they will review the MI Court of Appeals decision on gun carry in Capital District Library branches.  The Michigan Library Association lobbyists have informed libraries that, while there are many bills that have been introduced on the topic of gun control, any that restrict citizen rights are not expected to gain legislative support with the current legislative body. 

Collaborating Organizations:
Cooperative Directors Association/Midwest Collaborative for Library Services:  MMLC took the lead for the CDA and worked with MCLS to present a two-day workshop entitled, Managing Your Crystal Ball, on March 7 & 8, 2013.  Attendance was excellent with high numbers each day at the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre, Flint.  Evaluations for the event were very positive.  The CDA/MCLS collaboration will continue with workshops scheduled in September 2013, May 2014, and September 2014.

LM, MLA, MCLS, CDA:  As the CDA representative, I attended a meeting with these organizations to discuss how we might better coordinate our continuing education offerings.  While it was a good conversation, MLA has a different organizational structure using volunteer workshop planners and that makes it more difficult to do joint planning.  A positive outcome for the future was MLA’s tentative offer to host a statewide CE calendar on their website after it is updated.

Library of Michigan:  Sheryl Mase reported on library efforts to work with automation vendors to develop NCIP compliant software interfaces that will work with the Innovative Interfaces platform used for the MeLCat statewide resource sharing portal.  She presented a list of vendors and the current status of each.  Sheryl also asked for success stories for both community collaborations on broadband integration and also for e-rate uses. 

MCLS:  Randy Dykhuis reported on the activities of the RIDES Advisory Committee.  The group is working on ways to improve the ProMed delivery process and met with Manager Dan Gundry to brainstorm ideas.  Changes that have been approved were communicated to libraries last week, including a 3% increase in annual delivery costs.  In addition, there will be only two delivery options – 3 or 5 day – beginning late in August.  MCLS will provide new, standardized totes that will be distributed to all libraries. Invoices will be sent prior to the next fiscal year beginning on July 1.  Nancy reported that the Library of Michigan has earmarked funding to supplement delivery costs.

MAP Program:  Michigan Activity Pass (new name) will launch on May 24, 2013 with a revised website and new logo.  Promotional materials can be found on the TLN website at: 
                 http://tln.lib.mi.us/map/    

Member News:  Carolyn Nash, GDL Library Director, and Sally Pettinger, Baker College Library - System Director, retired during this reporting period.  Both Carolyn and Sally were longtime MMLC supporters and friends who will be missed by MMLC and our library community. 

Friends of Michigan Libraries:   I was a last minute substitute for Roger Mendel at the Friends of Michigan Library meeting on April 18, 2013 in Fremont and spoke on Friends and Cooperatives.  Driving rain and flood warnings did not stop this meeting of over 80 friends from around the state

MMLC Administration:
Annual Meeting:   A reminder that the MMLC Joint Annual Meeting for the Board and Advisory Council will be held on May 9, 2013 at Brick Street Restaurant.  An invitation and several meeting documents were sent via email to all members. 

Denise Hooks