November 2025 - Michlib-l

Celebrating MeLCat!
by Lisa Waskin 10 Nov '25

10 Nov '25

You are invited to a virtual 20 Years of MeLCat celebration! [Mittens the MeL mascot stands next to the MeLCat 20th Anniversary logo]<https://www.mcls.org/news/?p=10047> MeLCat is 20! For those of you who were unable to join us at MLA last month to mark this milestone anniversary, we invite you to join us for an online celebration. Join the MeL team staff from the Library of Michigan and MCLS on Zoom, Thursday, Nov. 20 from 3-4 p.m. Eastern (2-3 p.m. Central). We'll share some MeLCat stories, follow the travels of Mittens the MeLCat Mascot throughout the state, and give away MeLCat prizes. [Join on Zoom] The MeL project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services<https://mcls.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=70f5d96e1d549a56752300142&id…> through the Library of Michigan<https://mcls.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=70f5d96e1d549a56752300142&id…>. As most of you know, I wear many hats for many organizations in Michigan. This past year it has been my pleasure to serve as the MCLS Board President. As I near the end of the year in this role, I want to share a couple of events that we have coming up. The first is the 20th Anniversary of MeLCaT. Many of you helped us kick off the celebration at the MLA Annual Conference Reception on October 30th at the Library of Michigan. We will be holding another virtual party on November 20th to continue to celebrate this most important resource for Michigan libraries. We hope you will join us. In addition, I ask that you Save the Date for our Annual Meeting, which will be held virtually on December 2nd. More information to come. This year's meeting will feature some interactive engagement with attendees and help prepare the way for our first in-person Annual Meeting in a very long time, which will be held next year! Thank you, and I hope to see you online! Lisa Lisa Waskin, District Director Superior District Library 541 Library Drive Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 Ph. (906) 632-9331 lwaskin(a)superiordistrictlibrary.org<mailto:lwaskin@superiordistrictlibrary.org>

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Job Posting - Children's Coordinator
by Jolene Faber 10 Nov '25

10 Nov '25

We currently have an open job posting for Children's Coordinator. The job description and posting are attached. If you would like to apply, please send your resume and cover letter by 5pm Thursday November 20th. If there are any questions please feel free to reach out. Jolene Faber Administrative Assistant Bay County Library System 500 Center Ave. Bay City, MI 48708 (989)894-2837 ext. 2225

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level reader books
by Zac Larson 10 Nov '25

10 Nov '25

Good morning everyone, What does your library do with the JE level readers? Do you sperate them by the level? If so, what are the parameters you went by other than the "level." How are they labeled? I'd love all the details if you have the time to share with me. Thank you! Zac Larson Pronouns: He/Him Administration Collection Development Librarian Staffing and Scheduling Devereaux Memorial Library 201 Plum Street[http://www.crawfordco.lib.mi.us/dnn/portals/0/devsm.jpg] Grayling, Michigan 49738 Phone: 989-348-9214 Ext. 203 Fax: 989-348-9294 [cid:2d3b6097-4c66-41e6-a97f-f738a8933eef]

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Great Michigan Read: there's still time to register!
by Katie Wittenauer 10 Nov '25

10 Nov '25

Good morning, Michigan libraries, If you haven't already registered for the tenth Great Michigan Read featuring Curtis Chin's memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, now is the time! Registration opened in late August, and last month we launched the program with distribution of books and materials across the state, and Curtis' first set of author events in four communities. You can see photos from the events on our Michigan Humanities Facebook page<https://www.facebook.com/MichiganHumanities/>. About this year's program The Great Michigan Read<https://www.michiganhumanities.org/great-michigan-read/> is one of Michigan Humanities' signature programs, and has been in motion as a statewide reading and conversation program since 2007. We work with partners across the state to distribute free copies of the selected book and supplementary educational materials to support local programming, and to provide grant and author event opportunities. About the book: From publisher Little, Brown: "Nineteen eighties Detroit was a volatile place to live, but above the fray stood a safe haven: Chung's Cantonese Cuisine, where anyone-from the city's first Black mayor to the local drag queens, from a big-time Hollywood star to elderly Jewish couples-could sit down for a warm, home-cooked meal. Here was where, beneath a bright-red awning and surrounded by his multigenerational family, filmmaker and activist Curtis Chin came of age; where he learned to embrace his identity as a gay ABC, or American-born Chinese; where he navigated the divided city's spiraling misfortunes; and where-between helpings of almond boneless chicken, sweet-and-sour pork, and some of his own, less-savory culinary concoctions-he realized just how much he had to offer to the world, to his beloved family, and to himself. Served up by the cofounder of the Asian American Writers' Workshop and structured around the very menu that graced the tables of Chung's, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant is both a memoir and an invitation: to step inside one boy's childhood oasis, scoot into a vinyl booth, and grow up with him-and perhaps even share something off the secret menu." Important dates: Late Summer 2025: Registration opens September 18, 2025: Fall grant application for partner programming opens Late October 2025: Books and resources distributed to lending partners; fall author tour with Curtis Chin Mid-November 2025: Grant application for partner programming in 2026 opens November 24, 2025: Virtual event with Curtis Chin (registration will be available this week) April & May 2026: Spring author tour with Curtis Chin Late summer 2026: Program concludes Information session & Frequently Asked Questions: Earlier this fall, I hosted an information session that you can view here<https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/4PIxhc_Dgy5T1tAzYxbq0NyIWpubHTcM5iQgHUPM6…> as a recording. I answered a wide range of great questions about this year's new partnership structure and timeline, and also received messages afterward about the program's audience and resources. Here are a few FAQs: * How can I be a Great Michigan Read partner? There are two ways to be a 2025-26 GMR partner organization: * Lending organizations will receive a book kit beginning in late October. Each kit will come in a GMR tote bag and include copies of Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, conversation starters, promotional materials, and a partner guide with links to digital resources. The materials will be yours to use for programming and distribute throughout the program period-late October 2025 through late August 2026. During that time frame, kits should largely be available for check-out by local participating partners. We are leaning on our lending partners to help us make the most of the printed books we have access to this year and build community awareness for the program. * If you are interested in reading Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant in your local community and prefer not to serve as a lending partner, we invite you to register as a participating partner. Participating partners will not receive book kits directly from Michigan Humanities. Once lending partner locations are established, you will receive information about locations in your part of the state where you can check out a book kit. It is our goal to establish lending partnerships in every county to ensure continued statewide access to the GMR program. * Do I need to pay for the books? No, we will distribute copies of the book to lending partners free of charge. * Will I receive grant funds after I register for the program? No funds are granted through the Great Michigan Read partner registration process. However, applications for the fall portion of our Great Michigan Read Action Grants opened on Sept. 18. In mid-November, we will open applications for funding to support 2026 GMR programming. You can find additional details on the Great Michigan Read website<https://www.michiganhumanities.org/great-michigan-read/>. * What is the age range for the Great Michigan Read? Since our Great Michigan Read books vary in their content and genre, it is difficult to define a universal age group. The program isn't an early literacy or children's reading program, so past audiences have included high school students and older. Specifically for this year, we can note that Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant describes some violent acts and sexual experiences, and Curtis includes his insight into and memories of anti-Asian discrimination and hate crimes, homophobia, and challenging cultural norms. * Will there be e-books/audiobooks available like previous years? At this time, we cannot provide free e-book and audiobook access, but we will stay in touch with partners as we continue to pursue additional funding to support digital versions of Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. * How do I host Curtis Chin in my community? When you register as a partner, you can indicate interest in co-hosting Curtis as part of our Great Michigan Read author tours. If you'd like to work on scheduling an event with Curtis independent of those tours, you can find booking information on Curtis' website<https://www.curtisfromdetroit.com/book-curtis>. Fall tour events are now complete, and spring tour events will be announced in late 2025. * How have federal cuts impacted Michigan Humanities? As many of you likely know, Michigan Humanities' NEH funding was cut by DOGE in April. Due to this termination of critical funds, several of our grant opportunities and programs have been paused. Thanks to ongoing private support, the 2025-26 Great Michigan Read program is moving forward. You can learn more about recent Michigan Humanities developments on our resource page<https://www.michiganhumanities.org/toolkit/neh-advocacy-resources/>. What's next? Lending partner interest: If you are interested in registering as a lending partner, please complete our online Google form<https://forms.gle/KDszTiCRFA5K2LDu9> ASAP, but no later than Dec. 1, 2025. After reviewing your information, I will be in touch to share instructions and an access code for registration, which is due by Dec. 12, 2025. PLEASE NOTE: The lending partner registration form is not publicly viewable in our online portal and requires the access code I will send. Please do not fill out the participating partner form. Remember, if you are serving as a lending partner, the materials will be your organization's to use and distribute throughout the program period. Kits should be publicly available for a minimum of approximately eight months during that time frame so that any nearby GMR participating partner can access the resources. Participating partner registration: If you are interested in registering as a participating partner, please follow the instructions below. Participating partner registration is available now through summer 2026. * Login or create a new user account on the Michigan Humanities grant and program portal, located here<https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=mihumanities>. * From your user dashboard, click "APPLY" to see the available program options. * Click on "APPLY" in the Great Michigan Read Participating Partner block, then fill out the required details. * After you have submitted the form, you will receive an automated "registration received" email. Remember, participating partners will not receive book kits directly from Michigan Humanities. Once lending partner locations are established this month, you will receive information about locations in your part of the state where you can check out a book kit. It is our goal to establish lending partnerships in every county to ensure continued statewide access to the program. Author tour opportunities: An opportunity to share your interest in co-hosting Curtis Chin for a spring author event is included in both partner registration types. Register soon to indicate your interest; review will begin next week for spring events. If you have any questions, please reach out to me via email<mailto:kwittenauer@mihumanities.org?subject=Great%20Michigan%20Read> or phone (517-372-7770, ext. 294). We look forward to working with you this year! Katie Katie Wittenauer (she/her) Director of Programs | kwittenauer(a)mihumanities.org<mailto:kwittenauer@mihumanities.org> | LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiewittenauer/> Connecting, Sharing, Growing [A blue and white badge with gold ribbon Description automatically generated] Michigan Humanities PO Box 91 Marshall, MI 49068 517-372-7770, ext. 294 Website<http://michiganhumanities.org/> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/MichiganHumanities> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/mihumanities/?hl=en> Mission: Bringing people together through stories, histories, cultures, and conversations.

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Books on CD
by Barbara Beaton 07 Nov '25

07 Nov '25

We have withdrawn a fair number of audiobooks and while they are currently in Friends sale, they are not exactly flying off the shelves. We've given a few to our senior center as they have accepted some large print withdrawals, but they're not in a position to take a bulk offering. Better World Books won't accept them. Does anyone have suggestions on other places that might welcome receiving some of them? Thanks! Barbara Barbara Beaton Assistant Director/Reference Librarian Milan Public Library Milan, MI 48160 734-439-1240 www.milanlibrary.org<http://www.milanlibrary.org> she/her

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Upcoming cataloging workshops from MCLS!
by Gwen Haviland 07 Nov '25

07 Nov '25

Register soon for the following workshops from MCLS! BIBFRAME Applications<https://mcls.corsizio.com/event/682cc882df7c71eadd5ea770> 1-day class, November 19, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Eastern (9-11 a.m. Central) Qualifies for 2 SCECHs for Michigan school library staff! Cataloging with Variant Titles<https://mcls.corsizio.com/event/682cc8dddf7c71eadd5eb2f8> 1-day class, November 20, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Eastern (9-11 a.m. Central) Qualifies for 2 SCECHs for Michigan school library staff! For these and other great workshops please visit our Training Store here store.mcls.org<https://store.mcls.org/> To learn about our Essential Workplace Skills and Cataloging Certificate programs, click here mcls.org/training-events/certification<https://www.mcls.org/training-events/certification/> *********************************************************** Gwen Haviland Membership & Training Coordinator/Project Specialist Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) 517-455-7612 havilandg(a)mcls.org<mailto:havilandg@mcls.org> Connect with MCLS Website<https://www.mcls.org/> | Newsletter<https://www.mcls.org/news/enewsletter> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/mcls.org> | LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwest-collaborative-for-library-services>

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Book vending machines
by Ryan Tackabury 07 Nov '25

07 Nov '25

Hello library friends (and my one library enemy), Do you use a book vending machine to connect with your patrons? Do you love it? Do you hate it? What type of machine do you have? Have you ever gotten into any book vending machine related hijinx? If you have answers to these questions, please consider sharing your experiences with me. Thanks. -- Ryan Tackabury Director Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library 211 North Almont Avenue Imlay City, MI 48444 (810) 724-8043 ext. 205 www.ruthhughes.org

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Apply NOW for the Digital Collections Stewardship Cohort!
by Gallo, Biz (MDE) 07 Nov '25

07 Nov '25

DIGITAL COLLECTIONS STEWARDSHIP COHORT About the Program The Library of Michigan is excited to invite you to join the next round of facilitated learning groups to complete WebJunction’s Digital Collections Stewardship<https://learn.webjunction.org/course/index.php?categoryid=61> course — a free, self-paced online learning opportunity designed to help libraries and cultural organizations build skills in managing and sharing digital collections. Many people find that learning with a group helps them stay motivated and learn better, which can be especially important when exploring new digital technologies and workflows. By the end of the series, you will have: * Built a community of peers that you can lean on beyond the program. * Engaged with a diverse group that shares your interest in digital collections. * Put theory into practice with hands-on activities that reinforce key concepts and develop practical skills essential for creating and preserving digital content. * Gained the skills necessary to successfully create and care for digital collections. The learning group will meet monthly via Zoom starting January 2026 through September 2026. Each course in the eight-part series will take approximately one hour to complete individually and cohort participants should expect to spend one additional hour meeting with the cohort for facilitated discussions each month. To Apply Complete the online application<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8WdDnGI7JlzeMvpMjmmlpCcZfNgCTujL…> by December 5, 2025 to be considered. Applicants from public or academic libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural memory institutions that can commit to the program will be considered. Please contact Biz Gallo (gallob(a)michigan.gov) for questions regarding the program. Funding is provided in part by the I<https://www.imls.gov/>nstitute of Museum and Library Services<https://www.imls.gov/> through the Library of Michigan. Biz Gallo Statewide Digitization Initiatives Coordinator Library of Michigan, 702 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48915 GalloB(a)michigan.gov<mailto:GalloB@michigan.gov> | mi.gov/LMdigitization<http://mi.gov/LMdigitization> | 517-335-1402 she/her/hers [Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan]<https://www.michigan.gov/mde/resources/michigans-top-10-strategic-education…> [Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/> Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.

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Clinton-Macomb Public Library is hiring - PT School Outreach Librarian - preschool focus
by Lisa Hernandez 07 Nov '25

07 Nov '25

Clinton-Macomb Public Library is hiring for a PT School Outreach Librarian - preschool focus. This position is for 22.5 hours per week and does include some evenings and weekend hours. This person is responsible for building strong partnerships between the library and the administration, faculty and PTOs of the area preschools and child care centers. This person will be based at the Main Library, but be expected to work at all three library locations as well as out in the community. This person will report to the Outreach Manager-Children's and Teen Services. This position does include some benefits. Please visit our employment page for full details : https://cmpl.org/about/employment.php

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Free Kyocera toner available
by Brenda Conway 07 Nov '25

07 Nov '25

Hello All Fraser Library has free Kyocera toners - TK-8327 Yellow & Magenta; TK-8347 Magenta, Black, Yellow, Cyan; Taskalfa 2551ci Black & Cyan. See pics attached. Brenda Conway, Fraser Public Library Administrative Assistant/Head of Circulation 15240 15 Mile Rd, Fraser Mi 48026 586-293-2055

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