September 2025 - Michlib-l

Listserv Update
by Tessa Genovese 24 Sep '25

24 Sep '25

We are excited to announce that this listserv will soon be updated! On 10/05/25, we will be updating the software that runs our listservs. With that update, there will be a few changes to how the list works: * The list email address will be changing from 'michlib-l(a)mcls.org' to 'michlib-l(a)liblists.org'. Please use this new email address to post to the list beginning on 10/05/25. * If you want to be able to manage your list subscriptions via the list webpage, you will need to visit https://liblists.org/accounts/signup/ and create an account (link will not be live until after 10/05/25). * Listservs will be accessible at https://liblists.org/postorius/lists/ (link will not be live until after 10/05/25). * The list webpage will have a fresh, new look! All current subscriptions to the list and the list archives will be preserved during the update. Thank you for your patience as we move toward improving our listservs! Tessa Genovese IT Architect and Project Manager 517-237-3578 genoveset(a)mcls.org<mailto:genoveset@mcls.org> [Image] 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> [Image]<https://www.credly.com/badges/9c0827c3-c1a9-43b6-ae9c-8a88fa668c3c/public_u…>

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Compiled Responses for Tween/Teen Program Suggestions
by Autumn Smith 23 Sep '25

23 Sep '25

Good evening, Library Land! Thank you to everyone who sent program suggestions for tweens and teens. There is SO much amazing work being done out there to serve this age group! I feel so inspired and excited to start the work to best serve my tween/teen population here at our library. There were a few requests to share my findings, so attached is a list of all the great program suggestions that came in today! It really lifts your spirits to see such fun events happening around our state! Thanks again to everyone who shared their expertise today! I deeply appreciate it! Autumn Smith Assistant Director The Schultz-Holmes District Library 407 South Lane Street Blissfield, MI 49228 517-486-2858 517-486-3565 (fax) http://www.blissfieldlibrary.org/

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AADL Job Opportunities
by hr＠aadl.org 23 Sep '25

23 Sep '25

Hello, The Ann Arbor District Library is currently hiring for a Full-time Library Technician - Events and a Full-time Promotional Materials Coordinator. Applications will be accepted until 8:00 pm on October 7, 2025. If you are interested in applying, please visit: aadl.org/aboutus/employment for the posting and information on how to apply. Thank you, Heidi Pratt (she/her) HR Staffing Coordinator Ann Arbor District Library [ mailto:pratth@aadl.org | pratth(a)aadl.org ] | [ mailto:hr@aadl.org | hr(a)aadl.org ]

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Job Posting / Graduate Student Assistant / Wayne State University / Detroit MI
by WSU School of Information Sciences 23 Sep '25

23 Sep '25

POSITION: Graduate Student Assistantship (GSA) (1 Position) GSA Application<https://forms.wayne.edu/4faadb30f3065/> DEPARTMENT: University Library System Description: Graduate Student Assistants play an integral role in the Wayne State University Library System. GSA employment is designed to provide a professional hands-on learning experience in an academic library setting. The skills and experience gained from the GSA position will serve to expand upon knowledge gained in the classroom and will be invaluable for graduate students pursuing a career in information sciences. GSAs divide their time between providing direct user assistance at physical and virtual information/reference service points and special projects throughout the library system. Project assignments may include work with discovery services, collections, instruction, outreach, archives, and digital publishing and are based on interest and career goals. These positions support the University’s mission to create and advance knowledge, prepare a diverse student body to thrive, and positively impact local and global communities, as well as the Library System’s mission to elevate learning, research, scholarship, and community well-being through professional expertise, innovative approaches, and equitable engagement with all. Qualifications: * Must enroll or be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours as a graduate student in the School of Information Sciences (SIS) for the Winter 2026 semester. * Strong interpersonal communication skills. * Committed interest in libraries. * Dependable, punctual, with good organizational, writing, and analytical skills. * Self-motivated with the ability to work independently. * Demonstrated computer skills, and the ability to function in a fast-paced, digitally focused library. * Exceptional customer service skills. * Maintain a 3.0 grade point average and be in good academic standing throughout the Assistantship. * If you are planning to attend SIS as an international student, please be aware that classes are offered online which will impact your ability to maintain your immigration status. More information may be found here: https://oip.wayne.edu/oiss/current/status Contract: Beginning Winter Semester 2026 with a start date of January 5, 2026. Positions are funded for one semester with the possibility of renewal for the next academic year Compensation: $23,750 per academic year (based on 9 month appointment and subject to change in accordance with the GEOC Bargaining Agreement) Tuition: Up to ten completed graduate credits per semester for Fall/Winter Semester Health Benefits: Choice of medical insurance carriers; Delta Preferred Dental Insurance; EyeMed vision insurance Union: Representation by the Graduate Employees Organization Committee (GEOC) Hours: 20 hours per week, most hours on-campus. Schedule may include evenings and weekends. Application: Submit resume and cover letter as PDFs at: https://forms.wayne.edu/4faadb30f3065/. Your cover letter should highlight your skills and any relevant experiences, explain your interest in libraries, and describe how the assistantship aligns with your studies and career goals. You are welcome to note any specific project areas of interest. GSA Application<https://forms.wayne.edu/4faadb30f3065/> Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on Friday, October 24, 2025. Hiring decisions will be made by Friday, November 21, 2025. Please contact Maria Nuccilli (mnuccilli(a)wayne.edu) with any questions. Wayne State University and the GEOC recognize an obligation and reaffirm their commitment to achieve equal employment opportunity, non-discrimination, and non-harassment within the University. The University and members of the bargaining unit shall not discriminate or harass on the basis of race, color, veteran status, height, weight, ethnicity, religion, creed, political affiliation, political beliefs, membership in any social or political organization, national origin, ancestry, marital or parental status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, or HIV status, of those capable of performing their professional duties.

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Tween/Teen Program Suggestions???
by Autumn Smith 23 Sep '25

23 Sep '25

Greetings, Library Land! We are trying to expand our program offering for older kids/tweens/teens. Does anyone have a program that has been successful with this age group? They've proven quite elusive here at our library and we would greatly appreciate any and all suggestions! Thanks and have a great day! Autumn Smith Assistant Director The Schultz-Holmes District Library 407 South Lane Street Blissfield, MI 49228 517-486-2858 517-486-3565 (fax) http://www.blissfieldlibrary.org/

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Re: [Michlib-l] Website Building
by Katharine Lion 23 Sep '25

23 Sep '25

Hello, We do all our web stuff in house. We're a very small library but I created our website on wordpress using Elementor 3 years ago (I'm a graphic designer with experience building websites). For the last few months, I've been re-working the website to be ADA compliant. This has been a little tricky because Elementor doesn't give you access to html coding for most of the site. But they've been making some changes and it is getting easier to make the changes I need in regards to Aria-labels, etc. Still working on the skip links and homepage though. I use google lighthouse to check my compliance as I work. All the advice I've learned on becoming ADA web compliant suggests starting from scratch but since we had just done a total overhaul, I wasn't willing to do that and frankly it's worked out fine for us. I do suggest creating an accessibility page <https://bridgmanlibrary.com/accessibility/>with a note on using third party widgets, as well as putting the most important information in purely text. -- *Katharine Lion *(she/her) Web / Graphic Design & Arts Programming

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Van Buren District Library is Mobile Beacon's #1 User of Cellular Broadband Nationwide
by Dan Hutchins 23 Sep '25

23 Sep '25

Hi all, I thought I would share that back in July Van Buren District Library received a phone call from Mobile Beacon, our mobile Internet hotspot provider. They called to inform us that of their 1,801 public library clients nationally, Van Buren District Library is their number one user of cellular broadband data! Honestly, I was astonished to hear this news. When we started our mobile Internet hotspot lending program with FCC Emergency Connectivity Funds back in 2022, we were simply attempting to add another offering to serve our community. It never, ever, occurred to me that VBDL could potentially become their top library consumer of broadband nationwide, especially given that Mobile Beacon has so many large, urban library systems as clients. In the first six months of 2025 alone VBDL patrons used 312 terabytes (TB) of data from our 420 mobile Internet hotspots (60 per branch), which is astounding to think about. VBDL is a seven-branch system which serves a mostly rural area of southwest Michigan. In much of our service area broadband infrastructure just doesn’t exist. In addition, there are large pockets of poverty in our service area. For instance, Covert Township has a poverty rate of 25% and Decatur a poverty rate of 22%, so for many home broadband access isn’t affordable; VBDL is bridging the digital divide in a very tangible way. Financially, what makes this feasible for VBDL is our relationship with Mobile Beacon. Mobile Beacon is a non-profit provider of cellular broadband whose mission is to serve other non-profits such as public libraries, the Red Cross, and the United Way, amongst others. Mobile Beacon offers filtering and the ability to deactivate overdue hotspots as well. Mobile Beacon charges $10 per month per device for unlimited, unthrottled data from the T-Mobile cellular network. My understanding is $40 per month is the commercial average charge from other providers for the same service. For our 420 hotspots at VBDL, the data usage costs $4,200 per month or $50,400 per year. Mobile Beacon also allows clients to bring their own devices, so if your library already owns hotspots, this could be either a large savings, or could allow your library to vastly increase the number of hotspots it offers in a way that still saves your library money or is perhaps cost-neutral. In addition, for libraries, they also offer seven free hotspots per year, per branch, so there’s another cost-effective way to potentially expand a current hotspot lending program. I’m including VBDL’s press release and the data they shared with us for our recent application for the State Librarian’s Excellence Award. If anyone is interested, I would be happy to share contact information for Mobile Beacon upon request. Dan Hutchins Executive Director Van Buren District Library 200 North Phelps Street Decatur, MI 49045 dhutchins(a)vbdl.org W: 269-423-4771 www.vbdl.org Bangor – Bloomingdale – Covert – Decatur – Gobles – Lawrence - Mattawan 200 N. Phelps St., Decatur MI 49045 PHONE 269-423-4771/FAX 269-423-8373 PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 17, 2025 For more information, contact Laura Dorgelo, 269.521.7601, ldorgelo(a)vbdl.org **** Van Buren District Library’s Hotspot Program Transforms Digital Access for Rural Michigan Communities XXXXXX DECATUR, MI — The Van Buren District Library (VBDL) is closing the digital divide in southwest Michigan through its popular Mobile Internet Hotspot lending program in partnership with Mobile Beacon, a non-profit provider of cellular broadband Internet services. Since launching in early 2022, the program has empowered library patrons across Van Buren County to access high-speed internet from home, school, or on the go, no matter where they live. In a rural region where broadband access is often unreliable or unavailable, this service has become a lifeline for many. “Many of our residents are low-income and lack affordable broadband at home.” Daywi Cook, the Covert Township Supervisor comments, “The library's innovative mobile hotspot lending program -– one of the largest and most impactful in the nation — has been transformative.” In just the first half of 2025, VBDL’s 420 hotspot devices provided patrons with over 312,000 gigabytes (GB) of data, which is 45 times the national average and nearly 100 times the median usage within Mobile Beacon’s network. This data is crucial for supporting remote learning, job hunting, telehealth, and everyday online needs. During the summer months alone (May through July), community members used more than 149,000 GB of data, a powerful indicator of how vital the program has become. Mobile Beacon, headquartered in Johnston, Rhode Island provides affordable, reliable, high-speed internet access to schools, libraries, nonprofits, and healthcare organizations, enabling them to expand digital access and inclusion, and fostering stronger, more connected communities. The mission of Mobile Beacon is to power education through broadband. “Van Buren District Library is the clear leader among our partners.” Mobile Beacon Director of Programs, Joe Gleason, notes. “Their program demonstrates what is possible when a library invests deeply in digital inclusion and puts equitable access at the center of its mission.” Van Buren District Library’s Executive Director, Dan Hutchins, elaborated “when we started this program back in 2022, we were simply trying to serve the community. It never entered my mind that it was even possible a rural library system such as ours could exceed the data distribution of Mobile Beacon’s large, urban library clients; I’m astonished.” Each hotspot device averages 109 GB per month, far surpassing national usage trends. The popularity and reach of the program earned VBDL recognition as Mobile Beacon’s top-performing library partner of 2025, outpacing more than 1,800 other libraries in the country that offer similar services. “I am currently a single dad that relies on the internet for just about everything. We use it to watch movies, play games, work on homework, watch YouTube, videos and help with looking for work. Without this service, we would not be able to afford this basic necessity.” - David S., a VBDL patron. The Van Buren District Library is headquartered in Decatur and serves Van Buren County, southwest MI from its seven locations in Bangor, Bloomingdale, Covert, Decatur, Gobles, Lawrence, and Mattawan.

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website building
by Jill Rauh 23 Sep '25

23 Sep '25

Hello all, We are looking at a major redesign/revamp of our website. Besides making it more interesting, we want to ensure it is ADA compliant. How have you approached this? Did you do it in-house, did you hire someone to do the redesign, and then make updates in-house, did you outsource the design as well as the updates? Any ideas appreciated! Jill Rauh, Public Services Librarian Benton Harbor Public Library 213 E. Wall St. Benton Harbor, MI 49022 269-926-6139 www.bentonharborlibrary.com The information and views presented do not necessarily represent those of the Benton Harbor Public Library.

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Help from school librarians
by Trixie L. McMeeking 22 Sep '25

22 Sep '25

Our school media center is in need of some help. It has not been weeded in ages, no book repairs, no proper shelving, the list goes on. My question is are there a standard school of thought as to how long to leave fiction on the shelves that has not circulated? 5 years, 10 years ????? Non-fiction should work the same as in the public library???? CREW method. Just want some guidance so that I can help out in any way I can to get them a functional media center again. Trixie L. McMeeking Homer Public Library 141 W. Main St. Homer, MI 49245 517-568-3450 Fax 517-568-4021 hpl(a)wowway.biz homerpl.michlibrary.org

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Smart Money Kids Read program is now accepting 2026 book requests!
by Lancaster, Cathy (MDE) 22 Sep '25

22 Sep '25

"Smart Money Kids Read" program is now accepting 2026 book requests! Hello Library friends! After reviewing the detailed feedback from our 2025 participating librarians, The 2026 Smart Money Kids Read book will be a new book from the Moneybunny series, by crowd favorite author Cinders McLeod: How Do YOU Spend?. Our year-round efforts culminate with intensified programming during Financial Literacy Month, April 1-30, 2026. To this end, we've been hard at work over the summer and into autumn, planning for our beloved Smart Money Kids Read (SMKR) program! By completing this request<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckQos0T42sam6VPo-9rcAPMyDyNetTOwX…> for FREE BOOKS FOR KIDS, you agree to provide money-themed children's programming during Financial Literacy Month, April 1-30, 2025, utilizing How Do You Spend? for our SMKR program, supplemented by fun, age-appropriate programming. Librarians are so creative! We believe most libraries will do in-person story time events, using our chosen book, along with coloring sheets, finger puppet plays, songs, rhymes, crafts, and more! Consider partnering with a local credit union on these events as well! Michigan credit unions not only provide funding for the Smart Money Kids Read program, but also enjoy participating in, and helping to provide program support, for such youth events. It is important that you share with us the ways in which you plan to implement your Smart Money Kids Read program. How will you get these books into the hands of Michigan children in April? Do you need help securing a credit union partner for possible program support? What might your program look like? We want to hear about it! SMKR Contact: Kelly Masters at MiFinancialWellness(a)gmail.com. The SMKR program is done in partnership between the Michigan Financial Wellness Network and the Michigan Credit Union Foundation. ### Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more. LancasterC5(a)michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan> Follow us: Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/libraryofmich> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/> Join the MiYouth<https://lists.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/miyouth> Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services. [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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