Welcome New Members!
Aquinas College
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Jeneen Jadallah
University of Michigan
Sarah Steele
Featured Job Board Posting
Indiana Wesleyan University
Reference & Instruction Librarian
Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is seeking an innovative, student-centered Reference & Instruction Librarian to join our unified residential and online library team in Marion, Indiana. This is a 12-month, full-time administrative faculty position perfect for a librarian who thrives at the intersection of high-touch pedagogy and emerging technology.
For more information, or to see other jobs listed on the Job Board, please visit the MiALA Job Board website.
MiALA Impact Statement
"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
We ask members to consider sharing these impact statements with non-members in their network who might be interested in learning more about MiALA. A website with more statements will be shared in March.
I&IL + Crit Lib IG's: Emergent Strategy as Critical Pedagogy
Mid-Level Leadership IG Monthly Meetup
Join the Mid-Level Leadership IG for a monthly informal discussion or presentation about a variety of leadership topics. Spring 2026 meeting will take place by Zoom on the second Thursday of every month, 1-2 pm (February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11).
For more information, visit: https://msu.zoom.us/j/98297226918?pwd=I9WiCZ9bt4wWzl4IOsbx6bucw2WR9B.1
IDEA Featured Resource List
This month’s featured resource from the MiALA IDEA Resources for Education and Training list is:
Noble, S. U. (2018). Algorithms of oppression: How search engines reinforce racism. NYU Press.
Description: This book challenges the idea that search engines like Google offer an equal playing field for all forms of ideas, identities, and activities. Data discrimination is a real social problem; Noble argues that the combination of private interests in promoting certain sites, along with the monopoly status of a relatively small number of Internet search engines, leads to a biased set of search algorithms that privilege whiteness and discriminate against people of color, specifically women of color.
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. [Write 1-2 lines text for targeted months as specified below] Make your suggestion using our suggestion form.
News Submissions
Are you looking to get important information broadcast to MiALA membership through the newsletter, email, or other communication channels? Items can be sent via our submission form or by emailing the communications committee at communications@miala.org.
Have questions? Email communications@miala.org. We're happy to help!
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Message From the President
Hello my fellow MiALA Members,
The March toward spring has begun! I’m excited that along with the change of season, the shift to daylight saving time, and for most of us, the welcome spring break week, MiALA is a buzz of activity!
I hope you’ll take time to engage by participating in the upcoming Michigan Library Advocacy Day, scheduled to take place on April 28. This year, MiALA is funding member registration costs for Advocacy Day. To apply for funding, complete the MiALA Advocacy Day Scholarship before March 9.
Registration for MiALA’s Annual Conference is now open! The conference promises to offer a robust program, kicking off with Steven Adams as keynote speaker, followed by lightning talks, workshops, panels, and presentations from academic librarians from across the region, and numerous opportunities to network and engage with colleagues. I hope you can join us in community and learning in beautiful Traverse City on May 6-8.
In addition to events, the Nominations Committee is currently seeking nominees for upcoming board and IGCC openings. To see the full list of positions and submit a nomination (self-nominations are welcome and encouraged!), visit the MiALA Election Central Website. You can also find the volunteer interest form on this page if you would like to join one of MiALA’s standing committees.
We are also still seeking one or two member volunteers with knowledge of archiving practices to assist us with a project to review our digital files and assist us with developing a system to improve how we store, access, and transfer knowledge within the association. If this project interests you, please reach out to me directly (Julie.garrison@wmich.edu) to learn more.
Wishing you a wonderful month ahead!
My best,
Julie Garrison
MiALA President
MiALA Conference Registration
Registration for the MiALA 2026 Annual Conference is open!
Join colleagues across the state and beyond in Traverse City, May 6-8, as we explore Finding Our True North: Creating Connections to Light Our Way. To register and learn more about the conference, please visit https://miala.org/annual_conference_2026.php.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Library Advocacy Watch: Issues We Are Tracking
Dear MiALA members,
There are several key issues that affect libraries that the advocacy committee would like to share with membership. Below we have gathered information on three issues. Recommended actions are bolded.
H.R. 7661 Stop the Sexualization of Children Act
H.R. 7661, a house bill introduced February 24, 2026 would restrict the use of federal education funds to “develop, implement, facilitate, host, or promote programs or materials” that include what the bill broadly defines as “sexually oriented material” for individuals under the age of 18.
MLA, MASL, and ALA have all stood in opposition to H.R. 7661, noting that “The bill’s language raises significant concerns about censorship, the professional autonomy of library personnel, and students’ access to diverse and developmentally appropriate materials.”
Action: we encourage library advocates to contact their members of Congress through the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to oppose H.R. 7661.
MASL response to Take Back the Classroom
The reporter Jackie Smith from MLive published an article on 2/14/2026 with a follow up on 2/16/2026. The Michigan Association of School Librarians’ (MASL) information about this resource is important for education stakeholders and a summarized version of the information they shared is provided below.
“Take Back the Classroom” does not use trained and degreed educators, librarians, or professional reviewers. Contributors do not consider a work’s literary or educational value for students.
Using websites that assess books based on a group or individual’s subjective feelings about a book’s content introduces viewpoint and content-based biases into decisions about a library’s collections. Using these rating systems as rationales for restricting the purchase of library materials or for access to materials is a form of unconstitutional viewpoint and content-based censorship that violates the First Amendment rights of readers, including students. Allowing an individual or small group of parents to limit all minors’ access to library books violates other parents’ rights to choose what is best for their own children.
Here is an excellent article about “Take Back the Classroom”, including information about who is behind this website. Here is a memorandum from the Michigan Department of Education about best practices for school library collections.
This is an informational item only, at this time there are no actions noted.
Federal Update: Proposed Earnings Test and Federal Aid Implications
The U.S. Department of Education’s Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) negotiated rulemaking committee reached consensus in January on proposed regulations that would create a new earnings accountability test for all postsecondary programs. The regulations are anticipated to take effect July 1, 2026, following a public comment period.
Under the proposed regulations, graduates of undergraduate programs would be required to earn more than individuals age 25-34 with a high school diploma, and students who complete graduate programs would need to earn more than individuals age 25-34 with a bachelor’s degree. Students enrolled in degree and certificate programs that fail this earnings test in two out of three consecutive years may lose access to federal Direct Loans.
Additionally, institutions would be required to demonstrate that at least half of their Title IV recipients and at least half of their total Title IV funds are not associated with programs that fail the earnings test in two of three consecutive years. Students enrolled at institutions that do not meet this requirement twice within a three-year period could lose all access to federal student aid. If a program fails the test for two consecutive years, an additional test will determine if 50% of the institution’s Title IV aid recipients are enrolled in or 50% of the institution’s Title IV revenue come from programs deemed “low earnings.” If either threshold is met, students in the affected programs may lose access to Pell Grant funds.
Institutions would be required to begin reporting program- and student-level data by October 1, 2026, and annually thereafter. ED would then calculate the earnings test and notify institutions in early 2027 and early 2028. Under the proposed timeline, July 1, 2028, is the earliest date a program could lose access to federal student loans.
This is an informational item only, at this time there are no actions noted.
Thank you,
MiALA Advocacy Committee
Webinar: Developing the Collective Power of Library Workers
The MiALA Advocacy Committee invites members to a one-hour webinar led by Meredith Kahn and Emily Drabinski, two of the co-authors of the book “Organize Your Library! Developing the Collective Power of Library Workers." The presentation will focus on the presenters' self-advocacy work in their organization and will share strategies and advice for communicating the impact of library work, as well as how to pursue changes in the workplace in a right-to-work state.
This event will take place Tuesday, March 31st at 10:00 am ET. Please register (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xVjvSkqJQIqJMAvgUoWrwA#/registration) to attend. This meeting will be recorded. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the MiALA Advocacy Committee: advocacy@miala.org
Innovative Programming Corner
Michigan State University Libraries Beginner Birding Kits
To encourage students to spend time in the outdoors and promote mental health, the MSU Libraries Hollander Makerspace now offers Beginner Birding Kits. This beginner birding kit gives you all the information needed to start your birding adventure! The kit includes 1 cross body bag, 1 Nikon 10x42 waterproof binoculars, 1 Birds of Michigan field guide, and a set of 3 laminated nature brochures that will help you learn about the ecosystems that support our Michigan birds. Students and community members can check out the kits for 2 weeks. For more information on this kit and all the amazing resources available at the Hollander Makerspace, please visit: https://lib.msu.edu/makerspace/lending
We want feature your innovative programming in our next newsletter!
Is your library doing something fun, innovative, or unique? We would love to feature it here! Please submit a short write up of your programming and a picture (when available) to the MiALA Communications Committee using the submission form or by emailing the communications committee at communications@miala.org.
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