As the housing market has become unaffordable for some and the way people work has become more flexible, a new nomadic lifestyle has emerged. Whether it’s living the #VanLife, staying in a short-term rental, or even house- or pet-sitting in exchange for accommodation, people who chose to engage in wanderlust might also be part of a new group of workers who perform their work on the road rather than in a traditional office setting. These digital nomads, as they are known, have ushered in a new wave of workplace concerns and benefits. The Michigan eLibrary (MeL) can help provide context for a work-travel lifestyle that might be the future of work.

Though being a digital nomad is more common now than ever before, people who live this way are often misunderstood. MasterFILE Complete has several publications with articles covering this trend. ComputerWorld includes "Bashing 4 New Myths About Digital Nomads: The Digital Nomad Honeymoon is Over, and the Backlash has Begun. Here are the New Myths—and the Facts—About Digital Nomads" to help explain what is really happening versus what people might assume from the outside. From the perspective of several Human Resource professionals, having digital nomads on a team can have positive benefits for employers and employees, as well as causing some administrative drawbacks. "Digital Nomadism in the Workplace: Top Insights from HR Leaders On Policies and Perspectives" in Leadership Excellence provides some context for why a business might thrive or struggle. In Geographical, "Nomad’s Land" suggests that this type of work-travel lifestyle is a new norm—both for those who are looking for adventure and those who are escaping high costs in their home country.

If this sounds like a lifestyle you would like to try, Computerworld (Online Only) offers "10 Must-Have Security Tips for Digital Nomads" to help you work more safely. To discover places where digital nomad visas are common, read "Want to Work from Spain?: Apply for a New Digital Nomad Visa" in News India Times. Finally, if exploring closer to home across Michigan and even the United States is of interest, check out the eBook Public Library Collection’s The Van Conversion Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Converting a Campervan as a way to get started on the road.

As always, MeL is loaded with information about the latest topics and trends. Take time to explore the wide variety of content you can find in 70+ free eResources—you never know what you might discover!

If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact melerhelp@mcls.org for help.

Brought to you by Laura Warren-Gross from the MeL Team. 

Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First. 

Want more information on MeL?  Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs,  visit http://mel.org, or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks. 

MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only. 

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.

Laura Warren-Gross

MeL Engagement Specialist for Public Libraries 
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services  
517-481-2022  

warren-grossl@mcls.org  

 
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Hello All,

Getting some interested libraries regarding a jigsaw puzzle exchange (see original message below). Here is the link to the spreadsheet. If you’re library would like to participate, please feel free to add your info. It will be up to each individual interested in borrowing to contact the library and follow up.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GHfZAlunFXi09Ni25Vv_oIqNYT_IHqGIVxOQbfM-MgM/edit?usp=drive_link

Anna Merritt

(she/her)

Assistant Director / Interloan Specialist

Richland Community Library

8951 Park Street

Richland, MI 49083

(269) 629-9085

ZV283

https://www.richlandlibrary.org/

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

Hello All,

With programming & sustainability in mind, I was wondering if any libraries who have hosted Jigsaw Puzzle Competition programs would be interested in participating in a swap & borrow program?

I was thinking that a spreadsheet could be kept with the library’s name, contact person, & list of what puzzles they have & how many. Libraries who are interested in hosting a jigsaw puzzle program could reach out to a library on the list and borrow and/or swap puzzles through RIDES. This might be a more sustainable and cost saving alternative for some libraries.

Please let me know if you HAVE jigsaw puzzles from past programs and would be willing to participate in a borrow/swap.

Thanks!

Hello Library Community!

Please see information below on a webinar from Treasury’s “Fiscally Ready Communities” program. These presentations can provide valuable information concerning municipal  (including library) financial practices.

Have a great day!

Clare