We’ve collected impact statements from our members asking them to articulate what they get from being MiALA Members.
We encourage you to share these impact statements with colleagues who might be interested in joining MiALA.
My first experience with MiALA was as an MLIS graduate student attending the annual conference. This was very impactful to my career, as it gave me experience presenting in a formal setting and exposed me to the innovative and inspiring projects happening at other institutions in my immediate area. I found it so inspiring to meet and connect with other professionals near me, with similar goals and values. My MiALA membership is something I’m very grateful for as an early career professional! –Katie Edmiston, Central Michigan University
In our respective libraries, the work can often feel siloed, either within our individual institutions or in the particular roles we hold. My involvement in MiALA since its founding has helped break down those walls. MiALA helps me form connections throughout the state and has also helped me grow as a leader through committee, IG, and board involvement. – Jessica Hronchek, Hope College
I joined MiALA soon after it was started in 2016. I believe strongly in supporting a local/regional professional library association. I have served MiALA as an IG member and chair, a member and chair of the IGCC, and now for the third year in a row, as a member of the MiALA Board. There are three things I value about MiALA:
Developing a network of supportive colleagues from across the state.
Developing my leadership skills by participating in MiALA committees, boards, and IGs.
The opportunity for professional development and professional recognition through the annual conference.
The long-and-short of it is that I learn continually from my colleagues in MiALA. This is what keeps me coming back. – Ed Eckel, Western University
"MiALA is a wonderful organization for advocating the value of academic libraries and furthering one's professional development. It has a low-barrier to entry and offers many opportunities to participate, from conferences, interest groups and committees, and on to the full Board. I am very thankful for the connections that MiALA has created for me, the ways I have been able to contribute to the organization's success, and its positive impact on my library career. MiALA is a treasure!" – Jeremy Barney, Associate Librarian for Metadata and Digital Collections, Hope College
"MiALA's value is more than conferences and webinars to me. I value the network it provides, a statewide professional web of advice and knowledge and the synergy that comes out of combining all these library professionals in a myriad of ways. MiALA made my career what it is. Attending MiALA's birth and staying with MiALA through its adolescence has afforded me the opportunity to learn some great skills and to meet amazing people from libraries across the state." – Rachel Minkin, Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning, Michigan State University
"One of the many things I value about MiALA is the ability to make connections. When I joined MiALA, I felt like I'd finally found my "tribe"! I've worked with and learned from so many amazing and talented people from around the state that I might have never met otherwise, and I am a better librarian and person for it. I've always appreciated that MiALA strives to be accessible to its membership and affordable. MiALA is the best bang for your buck in librarianship!" – Darlene Johnson-Bignotti, Library Faculty, Oakland Community College
"Being part of the MiALA community has helped me build meaningful relationships within a strong, supportive network of library professionals. Through MiALA, I have discovered valuable leadership opportunities and collaborative experiences that have strengthened my skills and confidence in the field." – Kendra Lake, Librarian, North Central Michigan College
"MiALA has been absolutely instrumental to my professional career. When I first joined 10 years ago, it gave me a great network of fellow librarians that became both mentors and friends. That same network encouraged me to take leadership roles within MiALA, from board member to IG chair. These experiences were critical to developing my own confidence as a leader within the profession, both inside and outside of my institution. I was incredibly honored to have been recognized as the 2024 ALOTY recipient. MiALA is an amazing professional organization and I'm so glad to be a part of it!" – Jen Fiero, Library & Information Commons Director, Jackson College
"My MiALA membership provides important opportunities to connect with colleagues, whether through programs, committees, or personal conversations. Learning about how others approach our shared challenges gives me hope, and helps me remember the value of the work that we do in libraries." – Sara Memmott, Librarian, Eastern Michigan University