Western Michigan University
Stephanie Chapman

Wayne State University
Janelle Lyons

Grand Valley State University
Wren Pierce

Western Michigan University
Renae Hatton

Detroit Area Library Network (DALNET)
John Sterbenz

Michigan State University
Dylan Ryan

Michigan Library Association
Dillon Geshel

Michigan State University
Bonnie Russell
 

This month’s featured resource from the MiALA IDEA Resources for Education and Training list is:

Queer Liberation Library. (n.d.)
A digital, non-profit, library accessible to anyone in the USA. Provides access to and connects the LGBTQ+ community with “literature, information, and resources that celebrate the unique and empowering diversity of our community.”

As part of the IDEA Committee's continued effort to build a concise, streamlined list of recent articles, books, reports, training resources and toolkits, websites, videos, terminology resources, and online communities related to IDEA, MiALA members are invited to suggest resources. Make your suggestion using our suggestion form.
 

Well this is my last newsletter for the 2024-2025 MiALA Calendar year. I have to say this has been a memorable year for MiALA. As I mentioned during our annual conference, many hands went into making this year productive. As an organization that is made up of volunteers I have to say that we are an awesome group of professionals. Just to reiterate, we’ve accomplished our first ever strategic plan, renewed our service agreement with MCLS, revamped our conference planning structure and timeline, worked to improve our leadership on-boarding process and of course addressed possible changes to the IMLS grants.

So at this point I want to acknowledge those who made our conference a success and those who made our strategic plan a reality and of course our board. Starting with our successful conference at the University of Michigan Flint. I want to thank our co-chairs Heidi Keppen Palmer (UM Dearborn) and Liz Svoboda (UM Flint) and their conference planning team, Past Chair, Mary O’Kelly (WMU), Board Liaison, Julie Garrison (WMU), Kalyn Huson (MCLS), Qiyan Ba (UM Dearborn), Megan Brown (Kettering U), Courtney Cooney (Kettering U), Anne Dempsey (UM Dearborn), Jessica Hroncheck (Hope College), Dina Mein (Kettering U), Linda Miles (MSU), Amanda Nicholas-Hess (Oakland U), Avery Olearczyk (GVSU), Merle Rosenweig (UM Ann Arbor), Raya Samet (UM Dearborn), Jessica Sender (MSU), Jean Song (UM Dearborn), Jill Spreitzer (U of D Mercy), Caitlyn Stypa (LCC), John Szilagyi (LCC) and lastly Dawn Winans (Kettering U).

Also I wanted to note all of those who volunteered their time, and insights for our strategic plan. Starting with our co-chairs; Denise Leyton (UM Ann Arbor), and Julie Garrison (WMU) who led us all the way, and kept everyone on the same page. And to our outstanding team who helped plan engagement sessions, shared emerging visions and forged the strategic plan language. So thank you to, Emera Bridger Wilson (NMU), Jennifer Dean (UM Flint), Paul Gallagher (WMU), Sheila Garcia Mazari (UC Santa Cruz), Jon Jeffryes (GVSU), Darlene Johnson-Bignotti (OCC), Meghan McGowan (WSU), Linda Mile (MSU), Amelia Mowry (WSU), Mary O’Kelly (WMU) and Jessica Sender (MSU). Again thank you one and all for everything.

And finally I wanted to acknowledge my colleagues on the MiALA Board who have been the backbone to our success this year. We could not achieve what we’ve been able to do without these individuals and all they do. I want to thank Julie Garrison (WMU), Darlene Johnson-Bignotti (OCC), Katrina Rouan (WSU), Jessica Hroncheck (Hope College), Sheila Garcia Mazari (UC Santa Cruz), Edward Eckel (WMU), Kelli Herm (LCC), Samanth Minnis (GVSU), Rebecca Tull (UD Mercy), Gina Bolger (Calvin U), and Mariela Hristova (Oakland U).

It is because of so many we’ve been able to achieve so much. I am honored to have served this last year as President of MiALA and I have absolute confidence that next year’s board will be as successful as this year's board.

So with that I’ll sign off and leave everyone to make sure to take some time away from the office and enjoy your summer.

“So long and thanks for all the fish”
- Douglas Adams

Mies Martin
2024-2025 MiALA President
 

The Academic Librarian of the Year (ALOTY) award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of a MiALA member and their contributions to their institution and academic libraries. Once again we were pleased to recognize two deserving librarians during the Birds of a Feather luncheon at our annual conference. 

Our 2025 ALOTY award winner is Liz Svoboda (University of Michigan-Flint; pictured with Award Committee Chair Darlene Johnson-Bignotti).  Liz also helped to spearhead and host this year’s conference. Here is an excerpt from her nominator’s letter: “ A committed librarian leader and educator, Liz partners with library colleagues, faculty colleagues, staff, students, and the community; stewards library collections and resources; upholds good governance; and engages in creative leadership. Liz is known as a key resource on our campus, creating new teaching and information tools, staying abreast of new developments, sharing knowledge through presentations, and leading committees. We are forever grateful for the leadership and presence Liz maintained throughout the pandemic, often putting concern for herself aside to ensure our library safely stayed open and available for students and others needing a place to be during a difficult time. She is a visible and respected representative of the Thompson Library around our campus and in the Flint community.” 

An Award Committee member added this comment: “ I was speechless because of all the assistance, support, and advocacy Liz partakes in. There were great examples of how she has helped students and educators within her organization and outside of it  alike. All I can say is, I want to be like Liz when I grow up!”

Liz will receive a statuette, a cash award, and complementary registration for next year’s conference, and will also be honored at the Michigan Library Awards ceremony held in Lansing in October.

Kudos are also in order to our Honorable Mention awardee Kendra Lake (North Central Michigan College). Kendra will receive complementary registration to next year’s conference. Kendra’s nominator wrote: "Let’s ask Kendra is a familiar phrase within Michigan’s open education community. Kendra has been a driving force in advancing the state’s OER initiatives, seamlessly connecting people, academic libraries, ideas, and resources as leader of the MI OER Network Steering Committee. Her institutional knowledge is unparalleled—she knows all the acronyms, all the key players, and all the moving parts and pieces that make the Michigan OER Conference and other statewide OER efforts successful.” 

A big “thank you” to our Awards Committee members: Samantha Minnis, Ellen Robinette, Merle Rosenzweig,  Rachel Smith, and Jill Sodt.

Could you or someone you work with be our next ALOTY winner? Watch for a call for nominations in March 2026. If you’re interested in serving on the Awards committee, please reach out to: board@miala.org