Kids Count Kids Count in Michigan is part of a broad national effort to measure the well-being of children at the state and local levels, and use that information to shape efforts to improve the lives of children. The Data Book<https://mlpp.org/2025-kids-count-in-michigan-data-book-and-profiles/> <https://mlpp.org/2025-kids-count-in-michigan-data-book-and-profiles/> reviews the most recently available and trend data to evaluate the well-being of children while identifying policies that, if implemented, could improve life and outcomes for families. But most importantly, the book provides policy solutions — backed by evidence — that can meaningfully improve the lives of Michigan’s youngest residents. Be sure to check out the full Data Book<https://mlpp.org/2025-kids-count-in-michigan-data-book/> to learn more! CSLP's Virtual Summer Symposium for Unearth A Story™ is coming... and there are multiple ways to watch! Registration for attending the virtual symposium live from your own desk at your library opens in October<https://www.cslpreads.org/> on the CSLP website<https://www.cslpreads.org/>. You will also be able to sign-up to receive a recording of the sessions to view in your own time, at your own pace, if you cannot attend live. New this year - you can register to join us in-person at the Library of Michigan as we connect & collaborate together as we watch the symposium: Unearth A Story™: Connect & Collaborate Thursday, December 4, 2025 10:00 am - 4:30 pm ET* Library of Michigan - Lake Erie Meeting Room (2nd Floor) The dinosaurs are coming in 2026! Join us as we gather to view the Collaborative Summer Library Program's annual virtual Summer Symposium all about Unearth a Story™. We will start the day with a conversation around summer library programming best practices, before tuning into the opening Keynote Speaker (announcement coming soon). Between sessions we will "unearth" ideas on programming, so feel free to bring craft supplies, materials, or stories to share. This event will be limited to 50 participants. Details & Registration for this IN-PERSON Network Event<https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=9756> <https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=9756> (Please note, if you register to attend in-person at LM, do not register for the virtual symposium via CSLP) *Limited snacks will be provided, lunch will be not be served. Please plan to pack your own lunch and beverages for the day. We do have water bottle refill stations on site. MiYouth Listserv Update We are excited to announce that this listserv will soon be updated! On 10/04/25, MCLS will be updating the software that runs our listservs. With that update, there will be a few changes to how the list works: * The list email address will be changing from 'miyouth@mcls.org' to 'miyouth@liblists.org'. Please use this new email address to post to the list beginning on 10/04/25. * If you want to be able to manage your list subscriptions via the list webpage, you will need to visit https://liblists.org/accounts/signup/ and create an account (link will not be live until after 10/04/25). * Listservs will be accessible at https://liblists.org/postorius/lists/ (link will not be live until after 10/04/25). All current subscriptions to the list and the list archives will be preserved during the update. Thank you for your patience as MCLS moves toward improving our listservs! In the News... New ULC Analysis Shows Downtown Libraries Are the Anchors Cities Need<https://www.urbanlibraries.org/blog/new-ulc-data-shows-downtown-libraries-are-the-anchors-cities-need> - Urban Libraries Council, 8/27/25 How Libraries Became ‘First Responders’ for America’s Opportunity Gap<https://www.carnegie.org/our-work/article/how-libraries-became-first-responders-for-americas-opportunity-gap/> - Carnegie Corporation of New York, 8/21/25 Whitmer, legislative leaders: Michigan budget deal will avert government shutdown<https://bridgemi.com/michigan-government/whitmer-legislative-leaders-michigan-budget-deal-averts-government-shutdown/> - Bridge MI, 9/25/25 Read Michigan eBook Platform Now Available Through Michigan eLibrary<https://www.michigan.gov/mde/news-and-information/press-releases/2025/09/25/read-michigan-ebook-platform-now-available> - MDE, 9/25/25 Hope you can get out and enjoy the first weekend of Autumn! 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@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/>.
