[Michlib-l] MLA group structure proposal

[Steven K. Bowers]

I am fairly involved in MLA and was at onetime involved in the communities of practice. I honestly didn't realize that any of them were/are still active. It seems like we had a trial year for CoPs and then I thought we moved on, i.e. I thought they all kind of ended. So, from that perspective, although I thought CoPs would be great I have not seen them as engaging to the membership; maybe others have continued to be involved in this way. 


CoPs aside, I really like the new committee and work group structures and have appreciated the annual call to volunteer for these groups. I have found this a great way to be involved in the work of the organization and to have leadership opportunities. I also enjoy the professional development and achievement opportunities with training, workshops, and conference presentation opportunities. 


I would like a forthcoming work group or task force to examine if there are enough service and presentation opportunities for all of the membership that is interested. I would also like them to examine a new or revived way for fostering community (membership) engagement. 


-Steve 



Steven K. Bowers 
Executive Director 
Detroit Area Library Network 
1.313.577.6789 
www.dalnet.org 

DALNET is a community of libraries working together to provide access to information for research, cultural enrichment, and lifelong learning opportunities. 
----- Original Message -----

From: "Leslie A Warren" <lwarren at nmu.edu> 
To: michlib-l at mcls.org 
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2014 8:49:10 AM 
Subject: [Michlib-l] MLA group structure proposal 



Library colleagues, 

I need your feedback on a proposal regarding MLA committees and other groups, please. 

I am currently attending MLA’s Academic Libraries Conference, an excellent event thanks to the hard work of the Academic Libraries Conference Work Group and MLA staff. Attending this conference and the Library of Michigan’s recent Small and Rural Libraries Conference has been very helpful as I prepare to become MLA’s President-Elect on July 1. Chatting with librarians from varying backgrounds and types of libraries has reinforced my belief that we share many values, challenges and opportunities. 

At both conferences I have heard that there is strong interest in looking for new ways for librarians to engage with each other and with MLA. Several people have said that the current Community of Practice structure is not serving their needs for collaboration, innovation and involvement. I have also heard that there is strong interest in finding ways that communities of interest can develop (and end) as our needs change. 

I’ve started talking to Asante Cain, who will soon be MLA’s President, MLA Executive Director Gail Madziar, and others about the need to review MLA’s opportunities for community and engagement. The restructuring that happened several years ago was crucial to the organization’s well-being. It’s now been in place long enough to evaluate it and, if necessary, make changes to serve current needs. 

PROPOSAL 

I intend to propose to the MLA Board as soon as possible that we create a multitype task group to review MLA’s opportunities for group leadership and engagement. My thought is that the task group will work with a variety of constituents and recommend to the Board any changes needed to ensure that groups meet members’ current needs and have clear processes for starting, growing and ending as needed. I anticipate that we will be able to build on the strengths of our current structure, including the committees, work groups, ACRL chapter, etc., to develop an even stronger organization. 

I’d love to hear comments or suggestions regarding this proposal (or anything else). It’s a tremendous honor and privilege to be elected to serve you. I look forward to working with all of you. 

Thank you so much, 
Leslie 



Leslie A. Warren 
Dean, Academic Information Services 
Northern Michigan University 
1401 Presque Isle Ave. 
Marquette, MI 49855 
906-227-2117 
906-227-1333 (fax) 
library.nmu.edu/ais 






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