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March is Reading Month
by Debbie Mikula 01 Mar '21

01 Mar '21

Governor Whitmer Kicks off March by Declaring the Month as March is Reading Month LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring the month of March as Reading Month in Michigan. Throughout the month, schools, children, and adults alike use this time to promote the importance of reading. “Every year the country uses this month to promote reading and imagination. I am proud to declare March as Reading Month in Michigan and I encourage everyone to find time to read,” said Governor Whitmer. “This month, we should recommit ourselves to encouraging children and young adults to read diverse literary works early and often so they can see themselves and others in what they read.” The governor is committed to ensuring students and schools have the resources they need to learn and teach safely. That is why, in January, Governor Whitmer proposed her MI COVID Recovery Plan that invests $1.7 billion directly to our schools. She also proposed her FY2022 executive budget recommendation that makes the largest investment in K-12 schools in Michigan history. A report from MSU and the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) showed that 97% of school districts have met the governor’s goal to get students back to in-person learning by today, March 1st. ******************************************** There are so many fun ways to celebrate “March is Reading Month” but MLA wants to take the opportunity to encourage you to use this time to invite your legislators to your library for a storytime! Participating in a read-aloud or storytime could be virtual or in-person and is a great way for legislators to engage with the community, and also a wonderful way for your library to build relationships with our legislators and strengthen our collective advocacy efforts. You can find your legislator's contact information online using MLA's Find my Legislator tool.<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001dZvzh1BGSIjfhL0kjy9fgMr0RA7dn_nFzdncaUIEVyIM…> Or contact MLA and we will help you connect with your legislator to facilitate a virtual or in-person visit. We hope to see libraries all across Michigan take this opportunity to engage with our legislators and continue to advocate for the importance of library workers and libraries! [Web Icon resized] Deborah E. Mikula Executive Director Michigan Library Association 3410 Belle Chase Way, Suite 100 Lansing, MI. 48911 Office: 517-394-2774, ext. 224 Cell: 517-404-3533 dmikula(a)milibraries.org<mailto:dmikula@milibraries.org> www.milibraries.org<http://www.milibraries.org>

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Shipping Delays: Jim F. Input
by Jim Flury 01 Mar '21

01 Mar '21

All, Thank you for bringing the shipping delays issue, particularly when it comes to Baker & Taylor, to my attention. I asked Mike Gooding to follow up with the impacted libraries. You should always feel free to contact any of our sales reps directly, as they are there to help. In addition to the comments I shared to the list from our three vendor reps, I thought I would add my own. As when you read anything that originates with me, you should always keep in mind my "Jack of very few trades and master of none" perspective. Cue soapbox: Has anyone ever had the privilege to visit the warehouse/production facilities of any of our partner vendors? I have, and they are fascinating places to behold. They are busy, fast moving, and on the processing production lines, places where people work somewhat closely together. Therein lies the problem. While automation has transformed many production jobs, the processing of library materials is still very much a task performed by humans. All it takes to throw a monkey wrench into the production process is one positive test. That triggers quarantine, shut down (either partial or full), disinfection of the facility, and then re-start. Multiply that by a few incidents like this, and you have a recipe for huge delays. B&T seems to have been impacted by this more than our other partner vendors. I don't know why, but part of the reason may be that B&T does more library related business than the other two vendors combined. In addition, consider that libraries were all but shut down for one quarter of 2020. When libraries began to reopen, this meant the placement of lots and lots of orders at the same time, which was a disruption to the order process these companies are used to seeing, which varies seasonally. It is very possible the companies were not prepared for this. Finally, it is possible these companies are having difficulty recruiting and retaining workers. We have all read stories in our various media sources as to how despite the high unemployment rate, many companies are having difficulty attracting employees. To summarize, it is not my intent to carry the water for our partner vendors. I will praise these companies when they do a good job, and criticize them when they don't. I also don't have much insight and little to no "insider knowledge" when it comes to exactly what these companies have been up against for the past 12 months. In this case, however I do believe that they have done and continue to do the best job they can under some very difficult circumstances. All of these vendors exist to service libraries, after all, so it is in their business interests to do so. All of us, our partner vendors included, look forward to a return to some semblance of normal in 2021. End soapbox. Jim Flury Jim Flury Technical Services Manager The Library Network 41365 Vincenti Court Novi, MI 48375 248-536-3100, ext 133 Fax 248-536-3098 jflury(a)tln.lib.mi.us

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MCLS power restored - staff available by phone
by Sean Cwiek 01 Mar '21

01 Mar '21

Hello All, Power has been restored to our building and our phone system is back up and running. Thank you for your patience. Sean Cwiek MeL Systems Analyst Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) Phone: 800-530-9019 ext. 148 CwiekS(a)mcls.org<mailto:CwiekS@mcls.org> [facebook]<https://www.facebook.com/mcls.org> [twitter] <https://twitter.com/mclsorg> [cid:image005.png@01D70E88.2E46EC20] <http://www.mcls.org/>

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Wanted: Microfilm Box Racks
by Suzanne Schimanski-Gross 01 Mar '21

01 Mar '21

Hello - Does anyone have any spare microfilm box racks like either of the ones pictured? If so, we have a home for them. Please contact me if you have any to spare, even if it is just one. Any color is fine. Thank you. [image: IMG_6191(1).jpg] [image: IMG_6401(1).jpg] Kind regards, Suzanne -- The *LTU Library is open! * Also, *Contact Us!* <https://ltu.libwizard.com/id/c2547ce5bccec69da2a90f42fca75571> *Online Reference Assistance *library(a)ltu.edu (Zoom meetings available) or 24/7 Chat <https://lgapi-us.libapps.com/widget_box.php?site_id=715&widget_type=8&outpu…> *Book Renewals *library(a)ltu.edu (include your name, book title, & Banner ID) Suzanne Schimanski-Gross Reference and Instruction Librarian Lawrence Technological University 21000 W. Ten Mile Rd Southfield, MI 48075 Email sschimans(a)ltu.edu Phone 248.204.3000 Fax 248.204.3005

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Job Posting: Statewide Digitization Initiatives Coordinator, Library of Michigan, Lansing - Apply by Mar 7
by White, Shannon (MDE) 01 Mar '21

01 Mar '21

Statewide Digitization Initiatives Coordinator, Library of Michigan This is a newly established Library Consultant position with the Library of Michigan (LM), an office of the State of Michigan's Department of Education. The position provides consultation on digitization of materials to libraries and related organizations throughout Michigan and participates as a team member for Library Development (LD) Unit within LM. The position collaborates with LD staff and outside organizations to ensure implementation and success of both LD and LM programs and services. Coordinates statewide activities for the LM, within LD unit, including programs and initiatives directed at digitization of library and/or cultural heritage institutions (CHI) collections. Provides consultation, training, and educational resources to support digitization projects for the library and cultural heritage organization community. Collaborates with partners both inside and outside state government to accomplish goals around digitization and preservation programs and activities. Provides input to the Library Development Manager and the Library Management Team on statewide library issues. Represents the Library of Michigan within the department, in state, and at national level; participates in pertinent professional associations and acquires continuing education essential to carry out job responsibilities. View the entire job description at: https://mcsc.state.mi.us/AgencyPDFs/Library%20Consultant%2012_P13.pdf <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmcsc.stat…> for a complete list of education, experience, and a full list of knowledge, skills, and abilities required. View the job specification here: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/LibraryConsultant_12799_7.pdf<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.michi…> Applications are due March 7, 2021. To review all details and apply, visit the State of Michigan jobs website at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/michigan?keywords=library%20consulta…<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gover…> and view Library Consultant 12-P13-Statewide Digitization Initiatives Coordinator. Shannon White Library Development Manager Library of Michigan, 702 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48909 Whites29(a)michigan.gov<mailto:Whites29@michigan.gov> 517-335-1507 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mi.gov…> Follow us: Facebook<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faceb…> | Twitter<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.c…> | Instagram<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.insta…>

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Join us today for a free webinar on MCLS Wellbeing Literacy Initiatives
by Pam Seabolt 01 Mar '21

01 Mar '21

Please join Louis Alloro from the Wellbeing Lab and Scott Garrison on Monday, March 1 at 1pm Eastern (Noon Central; use this link to join the webinar<https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88691232626?pwd=SlE4WWFvN1JVWmtWUy9WWUJuaVd3dz09>), for an interactive, evidence-based, and thought-provoking discussion based on our PERMAH survey findings, and to learn more about how your library could use the survey internally, or with your community to foster greater wellbeing. Pamela Seabolt Library Strategist Engagement, Consulting, and Training Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) (800) 530-9019 ext 123 seaboltp(a)mcls.org<mailto:seaboltp@mcls.org> [signature_214025516]<https://www.facebook.com/mcls.org> [signature_697022049] <https://twitter.com/mclsorg> [signature_1430023433] <http://www.mcls.org/>

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Receive a certificate in Mental Health First Aid for Adults or Youth
by White, Shannon (MDE) 01 Mar '21

01 Mar '21

Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect the person with help. First Aiders do not take on the role of professionals - they do not diagnose or provide any counseling or therapy. Instead, the program offers concrete tools and answers key questions, like "what do I do?" and "where can someone find help?" Certified Mental Health First Aid instructors provide a list of community healthcare providers and national resources, support groups, and online tools for mental health and addictions treatment and support. All trainees receive a program manual to compliment the course material. Mental Health First Aid training includes a 2-hour self-paced course, followed by a 5.5 hour instructor led training. Participants who do not complete the self-paced portion or attend the full instructor led day will not be eligible to receive a certificate of completion. The Library of Michigan is offering two sessions through MSU Extension of the training, you may choose to attend a training focusing on adults or a training focusing on youth. Because LM is only able to fund a small number of seats for this certification opportunity, please be aware that only ONE staff member from each library/outlet can attend these sessions. Because seating is so limited and a specialized certification is issued, you will need to agree to a number of stipulations and complete the pre-registration application<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsurvey.al…> before we send the registration link. View more details in pre-registration application link. This link will be open through Friday, March 5. Participants who do not complete the self-paced portion, attend the full instructor led day, or do not complete the post-work and evaluation will not be eligible to receive a certificate of completion. Cancellations must be received at least three business days prior to the class. Alternates are encouraged for those who register but cannot attend. Participants who do not complete the self-paced portion or attend the full instructor led day will not be eligible to receive a certificate of completion. Participants who register for a training and fail to cancel at least three business days prior and no-show will be charged a $50 cancellation fee. This program is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Shannon White Library Development Manager Library of Michigan, 702 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48909 Whites29(a)michigan.gov<mailto:Whites29@michigan.gov> 517-335-1507 | 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/>

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Wellbeing Wednesday from MCLS - part 4 for February 24
by Scott Garrison 01 Mar '21

01 Mar '21

#apologies for cross-posting and any duplication# Hello all, and welcome to another Wellbeing Wednesday from MCLS! This is the fourth and last Wellbeing Wednesday message for February. If you’ve missed earlier messages and would like to receive them, please let me know. I hope you’re doing well this week, and just want to remind you about some things MCLS is doing in partnership with the Wellbeing Lab to help library staff understand and maintain their own wellbeing, and increase their wellbeing literacy. In brief, we have a survey, a webinar, and an offer for the Wellbeing Lab<https://www.michellemcquaid.com/thewellbeinglab/>’s Certificate in Creating Wellbeing program, including a scholarship to the program for library staff at Indiana MCLS member libraries. First, the survey. Remember that the confidential PERMAH Wellbeing Survey<https://org.permahsurvey.com/workplace.php?org=mcls> is open through tomorrow, Thursday, February 25. If you haven’t completed the survey yet, I’d appreciate it if you’d take just a few minutes today to do so, for two main reasons. * You can learn about your own current level of wellbeing in terms of the evidence-based pillars of Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health. In other words, you can increase your own wellbeing literacy, based on the science of positive psychology and human flourishing. * You can help MCLS get a better sense of library staff wellbeing, as the world continues to change, day by day, week by week. I understand that you may not be up for “yet another conversation” right now to let us know how you or your library are doing and how we might help. So instead, if you’d take just a few minutes and take the survey<https://org.permahsurvey.com/workplace.php?org=mcls>, we could listen in a different way. Next, the webinar. Please join Louis Alloro from the Wellbeing Lab and me on Monday, March 1 at 1pm Eastern (Noon Central; use this link to join the webinar<https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88691232626?pwd=SlE4WWFvN1JVWmtWUy9WWUJuaVd3dz09>), for an interactive, evidence-based, and thought-provoking discussion based on our PERMAH survey findings, and to learn more about how your library could use the survey internally, or with your community. Finally, the offer and scholarship. Remember from last week that MCLS and the Wellbeing Lab are partnering to offer a discount on annual subscriptions to the PERMAH survey, and the Wellbeing Lab’s learning programs. Contact services(a)mcls.org<mailto:services@mcls.org> to get started. Watch for details in the March MCLS newsletter<https://www.mcls.org/news> and in email from us in the next few days about how Indiana library staff at MCLS member libraries can apply for a scholarship for the Certificate in Creating Wellbeing program that begins April 30 (total program value is over $2,500 per participant). We will fund up to 21 individual Indiana library staff to increase their wellbeing literacy and earn this certificate. We are providing this scholarship through grant funds the MCLS Board of Directors established using proceeds from the sale of the former INCOLSA building. Again, for many more details and the application process, watch your email and our website, on March 1. Michelle Bradley (Manager of Engagement, Consulting and Training at MCLS) and I will host an Indiana Wellbeing Literacy grant Q&A session via Zoom on Friday, March 5 at 11am Eastern (10am Central). We will email a link to this session in the next few days. I hope you’ve found this month’s Wellbeing Wednesday messages useful, and that you’ll consider joining us to learn more about how to promote wellbeing for yourself, your library staff, and your community. Be well, Scott P.S. To learn about a “secret weapon” to worker wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic, check out a brief summary piece with suggestions from Mandy O’Neill<https://www.michellemcquaid.com/can-you-unlock-the-secret-weapon-to-worker-…>, Associate Professor at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Scott Garrison (he/him/his) Executive Director Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) 1407 Rensen St. Suite 1 Lansing, MI 48910 800-530-9019 x119 517-492-3879 fax garrisons(a)mcls.org

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MCLS power outage - phones are currently down
by Scott Garrison 01 Mar '21

01 Mar '21

Good morning from MCLS, Our Lansing, MI building lost power yesterday due to a local area brownout. While we are working to have power restored, our phone and accounting systems are currently down. Please use email to contact any MCLS staff, until further notice. All staff and key service contacts are listed at https://www.mcls.org/contact. We will update you when power is restored and normal operations resume. Thank you, Scott Scott Garrison (he/him/his) Executive Director Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) 1407 Rensen St. Suite 1 Lansing, MI 48910 800-530-9019 x119 517-492-3879 fax garrisons(a)mcls.org

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Library of Things, popular items compiled responses
by Don Priest 27 Feb '21

27 Feb '21

Compiled answers regarding popular Library of Things items. Thanks to everyone who responded, I've got lots of great ideas to work with now! We started in the middle of the pandemic so it's hard to get stuff noticed without patrons browsing. However, there's one item we can't keep on the shelves: a ghost hunting kit 👻 ____________________________________________________________________________ Sewing machines and snowshoes have been popular. ___________________________________________________________________________ VHS to DVD converter! ____________________________________________________________________________ Saw that a library in the UP was loaning out sleds ____________________________________________________________________________ Most checked out items are a food dehydrator. Lots of use in summer, fall and winter, have one fellow who loves it for beef jerky. The other is an instapot. We have other items, but these are what people check out most. ____________________________________________________________________________ Grosse Pointe has a cool tool collection. Info here: [ https://grossepointelibrary.org/special-collections | https://grossepointelibrary.org/special-collections ] I think they used to do baking pans and art as well. I remember the art was popular where people could check out paintings and hang in their house for a month, or whatever. Don't know if any of that is what you are looking for but I always thought it was neat. ____________________________________________________________________________ Our most popular items are ukulele, cubetto, real bugs and magnet kit. Our launchpad tablets are also popular. The link to our unusual items is here: [ https://www.highland.lib.mi.us/awesome/index.htm | https://www.highland.lib.mi.us/awesome/index.htm ] In 2020 we did not see nearly the same action on our unusual items. They tend to be something people notice and grab rather than something they know to take a look in the catalog to place a hold. You remind me I need to market them again. Thanks! ____________________________________________________________________________ We have a metal detector and a scanner at one of our branches at LDL! The scanner is very new and has not gone out yet. I heard it will checkout in a rolling suitcase. I have heard a lot of success with the metal detector though! I think people like to take it to a nearby park that has a beach. Back when I worked near a university, I thought power tools or artwork would be interesting things to add. ____________________________________________________________________________ Hello! If you search ROLOT in CARL you will see what we have added to our Library of Things so far. :-) Link to CARL catalog for those unfamiliar with it: [ https://catalog.tln.lib.mi.us/ | https://catalog.tln.lib.mi.us ] ____________________________________________________________________________ Corn hole has been really popular. Telescope and Ukeleles too! ____________________________________________________________________________ We have been building our library of things over the past year and a half. This is what we currently have in our collection: [ https://lyon.lib.mi.us/explore/special-collections/library-of-things/ ] https://lyon.lib.mi.us/explore/special-collections/library-of-things/ Next week we will be adding more items including a therapy light, bluetooth speaker, noise cancelling headphones, and 10 Chromebooks. The kids Discovery Kits are very popular, as are the mobile hotspots. Good luck with your collection! ____________________________________________________________________________ Although we have paused most of these because COVID, here is our list [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.dtdl.org_services_t… | http://www.dtdl.org/services/things/ ] and for kids: Little Things [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.dtdl.org_services_l… | http://www.dtdl.org/services/littlethings/ ] ____________________________________________________________________________ Cookie cutters Metal dector Ghost hunting kit Radon detector Battery cables Hotspots ____________________________________________________________________________ We have fishing poles and tackle boxes (we’re in a town built around a lake), and our cake pans are quite popular. ____________________________________________________________________________ Check out our catalog of LoT! [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__buchanan.biblionix.com… | https://buchanan.biblionix.com/catalog/?lot=1 ] ____________________________________________________________________________ Hi Donald, We've been circulating games for about a year and they've been very popular. A recent addition is puzzles and they're gaining a lot of momentum. We had one family call to say that they wanted to pay for the puzzle. It was the first they had done as a family and it was such a nice activity for them, they wanted to have it framed! We're going to allow them to replace it since we think that builds a positive relationship with the library. We've also added some SAD lights but I don't know that they've taken off yet but the library was closed to the public when they came in and foot traffic has been light since we reopened a few weeks ago. We're relatively new to the LoT game but Brighton District Library has had quite a few things circulating for a while. Here's a link to their options: [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__brightonlibrary.info_li… | http://brightonlibrary.info/library-of-things/ ] If you come up with any popular ideas, please share! ____________________________________________________________________________ Hi Don, We’ve had our Library of Things collection since late 2018 and overall it’s been successful. Our most popular item is by far the metal detector. Another is being added now. The other top items are: - Laser Tag (for 2, 2 kits) - Paper Shredder - Geocaching kit (GPS, book) - Birdwatching kit (2 binoculars, birding books) - Yoga kits (mat, blocks, DVDs) Our drill and tool kit was popular until it disappeared. We have found kits composed of primarily books do not circulate much at all. Somewhat surprisingly, kits with table games (cards, dominoes, cribbage etc.) also do not circulate much. We are in the process now of adding new items for the spring with a focus on lawn games like Corn Hole, Giant Jenga, Yard Yahtzee and Bocce Ball. ____________________________________________________________________________ Hello- We have had a Library of Things collection for a few years now, and it is still growing. We began with hotspots, Kindles, and ukuleles, but now we also have a ton of board games and outdoor games. We also have a telescope. The most popular have been: ukuleles, the metal detector (I had wait list for this before the pandemic hit and I was considering purchasing a second), corn hole, and some of the board games. I try to get Mensa-approved games. Pandemic, Forbidden Island, Zombie Dice, and Exploding Kittens have been the most popular. It seems that there really is no rhyme or reason why some of these "things" are more popular than others... Good luck! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Donald Priest Director Southgate Veterans Memorial Library 14680 Dix-Toledo Rd. Southgate MI 48195 734-258-3002

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