The Library of Michigan provides access to membership resources from United for Libraries for all staff, Friends and Trustees from Michigan public libraries. Visit the site: http://www.ala.org/united/michigan (Contact the Library of Michigan for information about accessing the resources.) News You Can Use from United from Libraries New Resources for Trustees Login to the Trustee Zone to access these two new practical guides for Trustees included with your membership. Follow the links below to download (login required). If you do not know your login, please email united@ala.org<mailto:united@ala.org>. A Library Board's Practical Guide to Strategic Planning<http://www.ala.org/AUTH/Shibboleth.sso/Login?target=http://www.ala.org/united/trusteezone/practical-guides> No library can continue to meet changing community needs let alone experience continuous improvement without committing to strategic planning on a regular basis. From setting a vision for the library to articulating its mission to establishing a set of goals for achieving that mission, the board can and should be involved. This practical guide walks you through getting started, the planning process, roles and responsibilities during the process, engaging the community, the environmental scan, creating a vision and mission, setting the goals, and measuring success. A Library Board's Practical Guide to Evaluating the Library Director<http://www.ala.org/AUTH/Shibboleth.sso/Login?target=http://www.ala.org/united/trusteezone/practical-guides> An important way to ensure and support a highly effective library director is to commit to meaningful performance appraisals at least annually. It's surprising how often this very important duty gets short shrift or even overlooked altogether. The evaluation process should be a positive and highly productive way of ensuring that your director is meeting his or her goals and that, as a result, the library is moving forward. Major Benefactor Citation Can Generate Other Gifts to Your Library Giving public recognition to an individual, family, or corporate body that has made a major gift to your library can generate other gifts as well. The Major Benefactor Citation<http://www.ala.org/united/grants_awards/benefactor> comes with a plaque for the library and a plaque for the donor. These plaques, along with a library celebration and a press release from your library, can let your community know that gifts to the library are truly appreciated and make a real difference. Major Benefactor Citation<http://www.ala.org/united/grants_awards/benefactor> recipients will be featured on United for Libraries' website, and a press release about each winner will be issued through ALA. Applications for the Major Benefactor Citation<http://www.ala.org/united/grants_awards/benefactor> may be submitted at any time. Get Involved: Serve on a Committee Do you have a particular skill or passion you would like to share with other library supporters around the country? Personal members of United for Libraries are invited to serve on committees<http://www.ala.org/united/about/committees> to help further the organization's mission. Personal United for Libraries members who are interested in serving on a committee should complete the online form<http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/united-committees> by May 15, 2016. Committees<http://www.ala.org/united/about/committees> meet during the ALA Midwinter Meeting, and some may meet during the ALA Annual Conference. Virtual participation may be available. Committee appointments are made by the United for Libraries president-elect. Members will be notified of their committee appointment(s) by June 15. Personal membership in ALA and United for Libraries is required for committee service. Group members (Friends Boards, Foundation Boards, and Boards of Trustees) are not eligible. Vote in the ALA/United for Libraries Election Personal members of United for Libraries are eligible to vote in the current election, now through April 22. Positions on the United for Libraries ballot include Vice-President/President-Elect, Secretary, Division Councilor, Foundation at Large (2 positions), and Friend at Large. The ballot link was emailed to all eligible members. Learn more about the candidates for United for Libraries<http://www.ala.org/united/about/board/election> as well as ALA<http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/alaelection>. Plan Now to Attend the ALA Annual Conference in Orlando Check out the calendar<http://www.ala.org/united/sites/ala.org.united/files/content/events_conferences/annual/annual-calendar-2016-united.pdf> of programs, meetings, discussion groups, and ticketed events hosted by United for Libraries. More details will be posted soon on the United for Libraries website. To register, visit http://2016.alaannual.org/. Be sure to join us for The Laugh's On Us sponsored by SAGE and The Gala Author Tea sponsored by ReferenceUSA. To purchase tickets for one or both, visit http://2016.alaannual.org/ticketed-events#UFL. --------------------- Shannon White Director of Statewide Library Services Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo Lansing, MI 48909 www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan> 517.373.9489 Whites29@michigan.gov