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Weeded Titles
by JC Wheeler Public Library 20 Oct '25

20 Oct '25

Hi all, I am doing some serious weeding at my library, and this is kind of the first time I have really tackled this since becoming director. I am wondering, do you delete your weeded titles in your ILS system? Or just mark them as weeded? My issue is, I have been marking them as withdrawn, but they still come up in all of the reports that I run. (i.e. When doing state aid and calculating how many titles I have in the library, all items, even the withdrawn/lost/discarded titles are still being counted!) I feel like I need to actually just delete the title from my ILS in order to get them off of the reports. I use Insignia Software. Any advice you may have would be greatly appreciated! Abbie LaFountaine JC Wheeler Library PO Box 226 1576 S. Main Martin, MI 49070 269-672-7875 “This week I've been reading a lot and doing little work. That's the way things ought to be. That's surely the road to success.” ― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl<https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3532896>

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Any Issues with Worldcat??
by Erin Zabonick 19 Oct '25

19 Oct '25

Checking to see if anyone else is having issues with WorldCat. It started the end of last week where it takes longer to think and then crashes or it will say too many inquiries and won't search. Just curious if it is an us issue or not. Haven't received any word from them saying they were doing updates or anything. Thanks! Erin Zabonick, MLIS Director Three Rivers Public Library - READ. LEARN. DREAM. - 88 North Main St. Three Rivers, MI 49093 269-273-8666 [cid:a7d6eb54-16d1-4e0d-8154-21007ca6716c]

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Youth & Teen Services Updates
by Lancaster, Cathy (MDE) 17 Oct '25

17 Oct '25

MiYouth Save the date! We'll meet again on Tuesday, January 13th at 2:00pm ET. Topic suggestions can be sent to me directly at LancasterC5(a)Michigan.gov. LM Seeking YSAC Volunteers The Library of Michigan’s Youth Services Advisory Council (YAC) is seeking volunteers to serve for a minimum of 2 years on the committee. YSAC is mainly responsible for planning and facilitating the quarterly MiYouth (virtual) meetings, with support from the LM Youth Services Coordinator. YSAC is also called upon to provide insights on youth services trends, topics, and resources. If you are currently working in youth services and interested in volunteering, please complete this volunteer form<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1euYX4luV30eIHSUjnLGyVXioVIu2Ns5…> for consideration by December 5, 2025. Resources Recent LM Webinar In case you missed it, feel free to watch Managing Your Library's Afterschool Crowd<https://youtu.be/Qy72cfvCutw> (recorded 9/26/25) and access the slides<https://bit.ly/AfterschoolTeens>. Louise Seaman Bechtel Fellowship from ALSC Now is the time to get lost in a good book (or a few thousand of them)! Applications for the Bechtel Fellowship are now being accepted. The Louise Seaman Bechtel Fellowship provides a grant up to $7,500 to a qualified children's librarian to spend up to four weeks reading and studying at the Baldwin Library of Historical Children's Literature of the George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville. The Baldwin Library contains a special collection of 130,000 volumes of children's literature published mostly before 1950. The fellowship is endowed in memory of Louise Seaman Bechtel and Ruth M. Baldwin. The application and more information can be found at http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/profawards/bechtel The deadline for submitting materials is October 15, 2025. For any questions about the award/application, please contact ALSC Professional Recognition and Scholarships Committee Co-Chairs,Gwen Vanderhage (gvanderhage.ala(a)gmail.com<mailto:gvanderhage.ala@gmail.com>) and Jenny Rosenoff (jennyrosenoff(a)gmail.com<mailto:jennyrosenoff@gmail.com>). Penguin Random House Young Readers Group Award The Penguin Random House Young Readers Group Award provides a $1200 stipend to up to two children's librarians to attend their first ALA Annual Conference. The 2026 ALA Annual Conference will take place June 25-30, in Chicago. Applications are due November 15, 2025. For more information, check out our blog: https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2025/09/apply-for-the-penguin-random-house-yo…, or go directly to the ALSC website to apply: https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/profawards/penguinyoungreadersgroupaw…. Spanish Language & Bilingual Titles for Young Readers Thursday, October 23, 2:00 pm ET Demand for Spanish language and bilingual titles continue to grow, especially for youths. So, where do you find the titles you need to fill shelves in your library, classroom or bookstore? Well, join us on Thursday, October 23 at 2pm ET/11am PT for this free one-hour webinar featuring the latest upcoming Spanish language and bilingual titles for your youth patrons! Reps from NorthSouth Books, The Creative Company, Charlesbridge, Simon and Schuster, and PRH Grupo Editorial will present, and Julia Smith, Senior Editor for Books for Youth, will moderate. Register now! Details and Registration: https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/2217592496947/WN_v91QMk0RRO2HxD… Children and Screens Guide for Early Child Development and Media Use<https://www.childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/the-children-and-…> The first five years of a child’s life are a magical time of rapid development that is foundational for their later cognitive, social, physical, and behavioral health. As families worldwide navigate the integration of digital technologies and media into daily life, researchers and clinicians continue to investigate the impacts of screen use on all facets of development, from infancy through late adolescence. Children and Screens has summarized insights from current research and experts in the field to help parents and caregivers of infants and very young children learn how to build a foundation of healthy brain, neural, and social development — and help families determine how they can intentionally and most beneficially incorporate media use into their child’s life. In the News... How Libraries Are Creating Community Through Food<https://civileats.com/2025/08/27/how-libraries-are-creating-community-throu…> - Civil Eats, 8/27/25 Enjoy the autumn colors that are popping out! 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/> [Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan] [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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Mittens Allegan District Library visit
by Cristi Harnish 17 Oct '25

17 Oct '25

Hello MeLCat Friends, Mittens finally arrived at Allegan district Library. First thing Mittens did was help Amber unpack and open MeL. Then he stopped in the ADL Lab to see the 3D printer printing mittens.LOL! Mittens was very excited to read "Remember" to the storytime group and be a part of the free giveaway of the book to the kids that visited. Mittens got to stay and be part of the Stuffed Animal Sleepover, he gave a safety speech, played the VR, caused a little mischief and got a donut for breakfast. Mittens helped Bill pack outgoing MeL books and convinced Kali to give him a ride on our MeL cart. Mittens enjoyed one of our 1,000 books before Kindergarten walls and wanted his picture up there. Mittens liked helping the kids make Halloween monster pictures. Mittens helped at the Circulation desk as much as possible, he liked meeting new people at the Allegan District Library. Then he took one final picture with the ADL Ladies of MeLCat. We had so much fun with Mittens! We hope he visits again! Congratulations on 20 years of MeL! *Cristi Harnish* *Cataloging and MeL Coordinator * *Allegan District Library* *charnish(a)alleganlibrary.org* <charnish(a)alleganlibrary.org> *269-673-4625 ext 18*

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Designers?
by Mary Harrison 17 Oct '25

17 Oct '25

Happy Friday Mich Lib-L, Our library is considering options for sprucing up our 20 year old facility with new carpeting, furniture, and possibly incorporating study pods, etc. Please let me know firms your library has used for interior design or to carry such projects out. Our original designer is no longer in practice. Thanks for sharing! Mary Mary Harrison Director Coloma Public Library 151 W. Center Street PO Box 430 Coloma Michigan 49038 269-468-3431 www.colomapubliclibrary.net<http://www.colomapubliclibrary.net/> The most important asset of any library goes home at night – the library staff. Timothy Healy

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Performer Recommendation- Sherry Burton and the Orphan Train Saga
by Turbok, Joseph 17 Oct '25

17 Oct '25

The St. Clair County Library System recently hosted author Sherry Burton who talked about her historical fiction series the Orphan Train Saga along with the real world history behind the books. Sherry was engaging, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the subject matter. She would be a great addition to your library's programming especially if you want to highlight forgotten or under appreciated historical topics. One of your anonymous surveys said even claimed "this was one of the best presentations I've ever attended." Her website and info is below. https://www.sherryaburton.com/the-orphan-train-saga1.html Joseph Turbok- Senior Librarian for Adult Services St. Clair County Library - Main Library 210 McMorran Blvd. Port Huron, Michigan 48060

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Now Hiring: Part-Time Reference Paraprofessional - Youth Services (Spring Lake District Library)
by Alison Anderson 17 Oct '25

17 Oct '25

Spring Lake District Library in Spring Lake, MI is hiring a Reference Paraprofessional - Youth Services! Pay range $18.68 - $24.28 hourly Avg. 28 hours/week Spring Lake District Library is seeking energetic and organized applicants for the position of Reference Paraprofessional - Youth Services. This position will use library technology to assist and instruct library patrons of all ages in reference questions and other library services. The person in this role will also work closely with the Youth Services Librarian to plan and implement engaging programs for children and teens. Some evenings and weekends are required as part of the library’s regular weekend rotation. Training is provided. Minimum requirements include an Associate’s Degree. MLIS students are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have experience working with the public, demonstrate a strong commitment to customer service, and be comfortable with technology. Visit our website at https://sllib.org/about-us/employment/ for a full job description and application instructions. Best, Alison Anderson, MLIS Library Services Manager (616) 840-3756 [image: facebook icon] <https://www.facebook.com/SpringLakeDistrictLibrary/> [image: instagram icon] <https://www.instagram.com/springlakedistrictlibrary/> sllib.org

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Invitation to Tri-City Ghost Hunters Present: A Paranormal Evidence Reveal of the Pinckney Library on Wednesday, October 22, 2025
by Hope Siasoco 16 Oct '25

16 Oct '25

Dear Michlib-L Colleagues, Join paranormal author and investigator Nicole Beauchamp and her team, the Tri-City Ghost Hunters Society, for an immersive evening inside the haunted Pinckney Library on Wednesday, October 22, at 6:30pm-8:00pm. In this special in-person event, Nicole and her crew will share their chilling results from their personal paranormal investigation conducted by her team on-site at the library and the public investigation held earlier this year in April. Through photos, EVPs, and firsthand accounts, attendees will get an exclusive look into the building’s haunted history—and the spirits that may still linger. This is a free event, but registration is required: https://pinckneylibrary.org/registration-a-paranormal-evidence-reveal-of-th… For questions or help with registration, please call the Pinckney Library (125 Putnam St., Pinckney, MI 48169) at 734-878-3888. We hope that you can join us for a spooky time! Informational Flier with QR Code: https://pinckneylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Updated-Use-this-one… Sincerely, Hope Siasoco Library Director ------------------------------ She/Her Pinckney Community Public Library 125 Putnam St. Pinckney, MI 48169 Tel: 734-878-2952 Fax: 734-878-2907 Email: hsiasoco(a)pinckneylibrary.org

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Help from school librarians
by Trixie L. McMeeking 16 Oct '25

16 Oct '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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VidieGogo books?
by Laura Hauch 16 Oct '25

16 Oct '25

Hi everyone, Had an email from Midwest Tape today that briefly mentioned they have VidieGoGo <https://wonderscape.net/vidiegogo> books available. We have Wonder and Vox Books, but this was the first I'd heard of VidieGogo. They look pretty cool, but at $100 a piece, I'm wondering how they hold up. Does anyone have any? Are they worth it? *Laura Hauch* Collection and IT Coordinator Buchanan District Library 128 East Front Street Buchanan, MI 49107 269-695-3681 269-695-0004 Fax www.buchananlibrary.org

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