Good morning,

During the last month there have been many questions and assertions regarding Michigan Library Association, academic libraries, and the new Michigan Academic Library Association (MI-ALA). The MLA Board has spent a great deal of time since the surprise of the original MI-ALA announcement reviewing the statement of concerns and addressing how best to respond. We recognize that the MI-ALA statement of concerns highlights opportunities to improve the association and make it stronger for all of our members not just those from academic libraries. Although we don't agree with all of the statements or anticipated actions, we appreciate that everyone from MLA and MI-ALA is trying to do their best to support libraries.

As we move forward, we will need your input and we will need to have an ongoing dialog with the MI-ALA leadership. At our next MLA Board meeting, scheduled for September 12, we anticipate a proposal to create a task force to examine ways to strengthen member engagement opportunities.

In the meantime, the MLA Board has prepared a list of FAQs to make sure that everyone has some fundamental information http://www.milibraries.org/assets/1/6/MI-ALA_FAQs.pdf.

If you have additional questions or thoughts, please don't hesitate to contact us. Contact information is at http://www.milibraries.org/contact/.

Asante Cain, MLA President
Leslie Warren, MLA President Elect
Cathy Wolford, MLA Past President

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Asante Cain
Grand Rapids Public Library
Librarian IV/Reference and Adult Services Coordinator
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street 
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
p 616.988.5402 ext 5450