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Program Recommendation: Sherry Burton
by Brannon McCullough 25 Jun '26

25 Jun '26

Last week we had author and historian Sherry Burton come speak about the History of the Orphan Trains. I received really positive patron feedback about how interesting and informative it was. I hadn’t planned on staying for the entirety of the presentation, but I genuinely found it fascinating myself. If you’re looking for a unique history program, you can reach Sherry at sherryaburton(a)yahoo.com. -- Brannon McCullough (he/him) Adult Services Librarian Commerce Township Community Library 180 E. Commerce Road Commerce Twp., MI 48382 *Phone*: 248-669-8108 Ext. 114 *Fax*: 248-387-6240 *Email*: bmccullough(a)commercelibrary.info Currently Reading <https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_destination/33635961?utm_med…> [image: Book Cover] <https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_destination/33635961?utm_med…> [image: Goodreads Logo] <https://www.goodreads.com/?utm_medium=gr_logo&utm_source=email_signature>Get your own email signature <https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_instructions?utm_medium=gyo_…> -- The information contained in this electronic message is intended only for the use of the designated recipient(s). If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, use, dissemination, forwarding or copying of this message is strictly prohibited, and we request that you delete the original message and all attachments.

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Posting: Van Buren District Library Lawrence Branch Manager
by Dan Hutchins 25 Jun '26

25 Jun '26

*Position Title:* Lawrence Branch Manager. *Hours & Compensation: *Full-time hourly position at 40 hours per week including benefits. Some evening and weekend hours are required. Salary begins at $68,560 annually for candidates possessing a Master of Library and Information Science degree or $57,344 annually for candidates possessing a Bachelor’s degree. Benefits include health insurance (including vision and dental), a 401(a) retirement plan with employer match and optional 457 plan, long-term disability insurance, paid life insurance, and mobile phone reimbursement. *Qualifications: *Bachelor’s degree required. Preference will be given to candidates possessing a Master of Library and Information Science degree or currently enrolled in an accredited MLIS program. Preference will also be given to candidates with prior public library experience. Experience in Youth Services and previous supervisory experience are strongly preferred. *Nature of Work: *At Van Buren District Library, we believe that libraries connect people to the world around them and to each other. We seek leaders who share our commitment to outstanding public service, lifelong learning, and strong community partnerships. Van Buren District Library is seeking an enthusiastic, engaged, and community-oriented leader for its Lawrence Branch Library, located in the Village of Lawrence, Michigan, approximately 30 miles west of Kalamazoo in central Van Buren County. Lawrence is a rural community known for its agricultural heritage, small farms, and local farm markets. Van Buren District Library serves more than 44,000 residents through seven branch locations. The Lawrence Branch Manager is a position of significant responsibility requiring a versatile leader capable of managing branch operations while providing exceptional public service and fostering strong community relationships. The successful candidate will become an active and visible member of the Lawrence community, developing productive relationships with residents, schools, local government, civic organizations, and community partners. The Lawrence Branch Manager serves on a full-time basis, including some evening and Saturday hours, with a schedule reflecting the needs of both the Lawrence community and the Library District. The position reports directly to the Executive Director. Like many positions within Van Buren District Library, the Lawrence Branch Manager will serve in multiple and sometimes unrelated roles as organizational needs evolve. Flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to contribute wherever needed are essential characteristics for success. *Responsibilities:* • Supervise the Lawrence Branch Library and oversee its daily operations. • Train, schedule, mentor, and supervise branch staff while fostering a positive workplace culture centered on exceptional customer service. • Maintain a welcoming, safe, and attractive library environment in collaboration with local government and library administration. Report building and grounds issues to local government staff and library administration as needed. • Assist patrons with technology, research, and information needs. • Perform routine troubleshooting and maintenance of public technology and library equipment, including copiers, printers, and related devices. • Develop children’s and adult programs in collaboration with the District Program Coordinator, fellow Branch Managers, and other library staff, consistent with Library District goals and best practices. • Serve as the Library’s primary representative to local government, schools, the Friends of the Lawrence Branch Library, community organizations, and other local partners. • Attend Library District meetings, municipal meetings, and community events requiring personal transportation. • Under the guidance of the Collection Development Team, actively manage the branch collection through data- informed weeding, merchandising, rotation, and replacement of materials. • Oversee branch circulation services, including interlibrary loan and MeLCat. • Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Administrative Team. *Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:* • Desire to serve the public in a welcoming, professional, and inclusive manner. • Knowledge of managerial principles and practices related to public library operations. • Excellent organizational, planning, and time-management skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively. • Ability to motivate staff, manage change, and cultivate a positive workplace culture. • Intermediate technology skills, including Microsoft Office, Internet resources, eBooks and eReaders, hoopla, MeLCat, and other digital content platforms. • Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, local officials, community organizations, and the public. • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. • Ability to exercise sound judgment and work independently while supporting district-wide initiatives. • Ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed. • Ability to read fine print with or without corrective lenses; lift up to 30 pounds; bend, twist, crouch, kneel; and shelve library materials up to 90 inches in height. The duties and responsibilities of this position supplement the Van Buren District Library Personnel Policies and applicable work rules and may evolve as organizational needs change. The Library reserves the right to assign work outside an employee’s regular job assignment and to modify work assignments, work locations, or job descriptions as necessary. *To Apply: *Please submit a resume, references, and a cover letter to: Chantelle Dowling, Operations Manager cdowling(a)vbdl.org. Applications accepted until the position is filled. Dan Hutchins Executive Director Van Buren District Library 200 North Phelps Street Decatur, MI 49045 dhutchins(a)vbdl.org ph: 269-423-4771 www.vbdl.org

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Teen Cooking Programs
by Michelle 25 Jun '26

25 Jun '26

We run a very successful Cook the Book Club targeted towards adult. Every other month individuals pick a recipe out of a book, cook the recipe and then return on the program date with the food - we enjoy it potluck style and then discuss the cookbook and general fellowship. We have had a few teens show interest in the cook the book club. Does anyone have a similar program that they do with teens? Other cooking type of programs? We do not have a kitchen for a traditional cooking program. I am trying to figure out if I should offer the same format or change it up for teens. Thanks for any insight you may have. Michelle Duclos, Director Frankenmuth Wickson District Library 359 S. Franklin Street Frankenmuth, MI 48734 989-652-8323 www.wicksonlibrary.org<http://www.wicksonlibrary.org/> Never Underestimate The Big Importance of Small Things ~ Matt Haig, The Midnight Library [cid:image001.png@01DD04B6.979A3E50]

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Holiday Closures
by JC Wheeler Public Library 25 Jun '26

25 Jun '26

Hi everyone! If you have the time and energy, I would appreciate if you could let me know what federal holidays your library is closed on. Our library is closed for some federal holidays, but not all, and it seems to bring some confusion to staff and patrons. I would like to go over these days with the library board but would like to hear what other libraries are closed for first. Thanks in advance! 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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Vinyl Record Collections
by Zach Komorowski 25 Jun '26

25 Jun '26

Hi all, I'm looking for some info about vinyl record collections in public libraries. If your library offers such a collection, please reply off-list and I will compile the responses for any who are interested. Collection - How long have you offered a vinyl collection? - What was the initial size of your collection? Any other considerations or things you'd do differently when launching the collection? - Do you only purchase new records or do you include used vinyl in your collections? - What distributor(s) do you purchase from? - Do you encase the records in anything beyond their outer sleeves? - What is the current size of your collection? Is it growing? - Do you stick to 12 in. or offer smaller discs as well? - Any unique considerations beyond managing, say, a CD music collection? - What cleaning procedures do you employ? - Do you have money earmarked for the vinyl collection or do you draw from the budget for AV materials? - Do you loan record players? Circulation - What are the checkout lengths and limits? - How are the records treated by patrons? Issues of abnormal theft/damage? - Are your records available for ILL? - Overall does your vinyl collection have healthy circulation stats? Thank you much, I appreciate your time and help! Zach Komorowski Reference Department Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library 500 Center Ave. Bay City, MI 48708 (989) 893-9566 ext. 2200 he/him/his

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TonieBoxes--Excuse the Cross-posting!
by Taylor Comeau 25 Jun '26

25 Jun '26

Happy Summer Reading! I hope it has gone smoothly for everyone! My library just bought TonieBox 1's and the characters for circulation. If you have Tonies, what are your library's circulation parameters for them? Do you circulate the boxes and characters separately? How many can each family check out at a time and for how long? Also, if your library includes instructions with the TonieBoxes, can you share them along as well? We are looking to include instructions with ours and I am not looking to reinvent the wheel! Thank you all so much! Taylor -- *Taylor Comeau* *Children's Librarian* *Walled Lake City Library* *1499 E. West Maple Rd. * *Walled Lake, MI 48390* *www.walledlakelibrary.org <http://www.walledlakelibrary.org>*

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⏰ Reminder: The Book & Author Society Collection Grant Window is Open!
by Kelly Bennett 25 Jun '26

25 Jun '26

Just a quick heads-up for our Michigan public library community—the application window for the Book & Author Society Collection Grant is officially open, but the clock is ticking! As a reminder, the Society is funding one $1,000 project to provide seed money for creating or enhancing a physical or digital circulating collection. We’re on the lookout for thoughtfully curated projects that fill a specific need, encourage patron use, and serve diverse demographic backgrounds. 📝 Ready to Apply? You can submit your proposal directly through our online portal: 👉 [ https://form.jotform.com/260634911514049 | Apply for the Collection Grant Here ] (Placeholder link) Before you dive in, make sure you have the following ready to go: * Project Proposal / Narrative (Max 500 words): Your goals, objectives, and community impact. * Demonstrated Financial Need (Max 500 words): Why this grant is crucial for making your project happen. * Detailed Budget (Max 500 words): An itemized list of materials/supplies. (Reminder: Grant funds cannot be used for staffing costs). * Supporting Documentation (Optional): Photos of your space or sample titles to help us visualize your vision. 📅 Key Dates to Keep on Your Radar Because only one grant will be awarded this year, competition will be tight! Don't miss these upcoming deadlines: * 📅 July 13, 2026: Application window closes. * 📅 August 3, 2026: Awardee will be contacted. * 📅 September 14, 2026: The grant will be officially presented at our Book & Author Event featuring Marjan Kamali ! Got an innovative collection idea? Don't wait until the final rush. We can't wait to read your proposals and see how you plan to transform your community's library experience! Warmly, The Book & Author Society Grants Committee [ http://www.bookandauthor.org/ | www.bookandauthor.org ] Kelly Bennett (she/her/hers) Contract Services Coordinator The Library Network kbennett(a)tln.org (248) 536-3100 ext.147

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Preserving Michigan Voices: An Oral History Workshop registration is now open!
by Gallo, Biz (MDE) 25 Jun '26

25 Jun '26

Register today for one of three full day workshop opportunities around the state presented by the Library of Michigan and Michigan Oral History Association<https://michiganoha.org/>! We encourage library staff, local history practitioners, archivists, museum professionals, and community partners to attend. Preserving Michigan Voices: An Oral History Workshop Interested in documenting and preserving community stories? This workshop will provide participants with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to plan and conduct a successful oral history project. Whether you are representing a library, historical society, museum, archive, community organization, or simply have an interest in collecting personal narratives, this workshop will guide you through the entire oral history process. Participants will explore the foundational steps of developing an oral history project, including defining goals, identifying interviewees, and creating a project plan. The workshop will introduce affordable and effective recording equipment and discuss best practices for capturing high-quality audio and video interviews. Attendees will review essential forms and documentation, including consent and release forms, and learn how to develop thoughtful interview questions that encourage meaningful storytelling. The session will also address legal and ethical considerations related to oral history projects, including copyright, privacy, permissions, and the responsibilities of interviewers and organizations. Finally, participants will learn what happens after the interview, including file management, preservation, transcription, metadata creation, access considerations, and sharing oral histories with the public. Participants will learn to: * Develop a plan for launching and managing an oral history project. * Select appropriate equipment and documentation practices for conducting oral history interviews. * Apply legal, ethical, and preservation best practices to ensure long-term access to oral history collections. Registration Details: Each in-person workshop runs from 10:00 - 4:00 pm ET, with lunch provided. All workshop participants receive a one-year individual membership to MOHA, which includes MOHA's Guide to Oral History Booklet and quarterly newsletters. Space is limited and there is a $35.00 fee to attend, payment for workshops is due one week before event date. * Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Detroit Historical Museum<https://www.detroithistorical.org/visit/detroit-historical-museum>, register here: https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/even… * Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Traverse Area District Library<https://www.tadl.org/>, register here: https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/even… * Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Peter White Public Library<https://pwpl.info/>, register here: https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/even… Instructors: * Brittany Bayless-Fremion, Central Michigan University * Jim Cameron, President, Michigan Oral History Association * Matt Jones, Eastern Michigan University * Zach Lanciani, Northern Michigan University * Dr. Jennifer Vanette, Castle Museum * Billy Wall-Winkel, Detroit Historical Museum This program is made possible by the Library of Michigan and supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Biz Gallo Interim Library Development Manager 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 [cid:2d6acf69-ea1b-4ace-b3f7-762f46156373] Nourishing Michigan’s Future during the summer! Find a Summer Food Service Program site nearest you and encourage Michigan’s children to Meet Up and Eat Up! Michigan.gov/MeetUpEatUp<http://www.michigan.gov/meetupeatup>. [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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Update on Upcoming Programs at the Dearborn Library
by Daniel Lodge 24 Jun '26

24 Jun '26

Everyone - We've got some great programs coming up here at the Dearborn Library: - Michigan Notable Book Author Rob Miller will be here in-person with musician Matthew Smith on Tuesday, July 7th at 6:30pm to talk about his new book about the independent music scene entitled *The Hours Are Long But The Pay Is Low: A Curious Life in Independent Music.* - Just Zoom links are available for Henry Ford Museum Curator Heather Bruegl's in- person talk on the Freedom Plane Tour (which will be stopping at the Museum during the month of July) on Thursday, July 9th at 6:30pm; all the seats in our Auditorium are taken. - Sportswriter Tom Gage and former Detroit Tiger Alex Avila will be here in-person on Saturday, July 11th at 1:00pm to talk about their new book *Your Detroit Tigers: The Great, The Good, The Top 400.* Copies of the book will be available for purchase (and they would be happy to sign them!). - Bestselling Historian Professor H.W. Brands will be joining us virtually on Thursday, July, 16th at 6:30pm, as part of our America at 250 Program Series, to talk about his great new biography of George Washington entitled *American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington.* You can register for either an in-person spot or a Zoom link for any or all of these programs on our Library Website dearbornlibrary.org. Let me know if you have any questions! Dan Lodge Library Supervisor Dearborn Public Library Dearborn, MI

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Troy Public Library Job Posting - Youth Services Sub Librarian
by Keegan M Sulecki 24 Jun '26

24 Jun '26

Due to some one of our fantastic subs moving on to full-time work, Troy Public Library is seeking an enthusiastic Substitute Librarian for our Youth Services Department with evening and weekend availability. Under the direction of the Head of Youth Services, this librarian will work in a team environment to provide a positive experience at our information desk for children 0-13 years of age and their families. For full details and to apply, please visit the City of Troy Job page at: https://secure6.saashr.com/ta/6122604.careers?CareersSearch=&lang=en-US Warmly, Keegan [cid:image001.png@01DD03F0.083B20B0] Keegan Sulecki Head of Youth Services Troy Public Library 248.524.3543 troypl.org<https://troypl.org/>

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