It's that time of the year where I'm updating my personal record of things I've read, making playlists with family and friends, and pretty much consuming every "Best Of" list I can get my hands on. I know many of you do the same, making your lists, and placing orders or holds as you go. My current favorite book lists are from SLJ<https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/slj-2025-best-books-cover-unveiled-download-pdf-of-full-list>, NPR<https://apps.npr.org/best-books/#view=covers&year=2025>, and NYPL<https://www.nypl.org/spotlight/best-books-2025>. And as I place my holds this year, I am feeling grateful to be a part of the Michigan Library community and looking forward to all the amazing Michigan library workers I will be inspired by in 2026! Thank you for your service to our communities, schools, colleges, universities, and special library communities! Coming Up From Library of Michigan Digital Collections Stewardship Cohort There's still time to apply for LM's 2026 Digital Collections Stewardship Cohort with our Statewide Digitization Initiatives Coordinator, Biz Gallo. This is a facilitated learning opportunity that will meet monthly via Zoom in January - September 2026. The learning cohort will complete Webjunction's Digital Collections Stewardship course - a free, self-paced learning opportunity designed to help libraries and cultural organizations build skills in managing and sharing digital collections. Complete the online application<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8WdDnGI7JlzeMvpMjmmlpCcZfNgCTujLsf6Q_Sl8-_LJ_WA/viewform> by December 5, 2025. Please contact Biz Gallo (gallob@michigan.gov<mailto:gallob@michigan.gov>) if you have any questions. Office Hours with LM Library Development Staff - Register on LM's Continuing Education Calendar<https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/libraries/ce/intro/lm-continuing-education-opportunities> to receive Zoom link * Grants Office Hours with Karren Reish<https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=6751> - December 9, 3-4 pm * Digital Collections Office Hours with Biz Gallo<https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=7401> - December 11, 10:30 - 11:30 am * Library Law Office Hours with Claire Membiela<https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=7460> - December 18, 3-4 pm Webjunction<https://www.webjunction.org/home.html> Self-Paced Courses and Webinars LM's Staff Skills Niche Academy<https://my.nicheacademy.com/staffskills> United for Libraries<https://www.ala.org/united> People Connect Institute's (PCI) Weekly Webinars - Wednesdays at 2 pm - Next Up: Community First- Making the Library Accessible to Neurodivergent Youth<https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=9621> For full details on all of Library of Michigan's Continuing Education opportunities including upcoming events and recorded webinars, visit our website<https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/libraries/ce/intro/lm-continuing-education-opportunities>. Library of Michigan projects are made possible in-part by grant funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the State of Michigan through the Library of Michigan. Other Continuing Education Opportunities Navigating New Building Projects December 9, 3:00 - 4:00 pm<https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/new-building-projects.html> Public library building and renovation projects are often once-in-a-generation events. Staff and leaders may never have done a similar project and may never do one again, making it imperative for libraries to learn from one another. Come learn from one library's successful experience. Presented by Cari Cusick, Executive Director of Newton Public Library via Webjunction<https://www.webjunction.org/home.html> Ableism 101 (December 9) and Ableism 102 (December 17) from Disability Network of Southwest Michigan In this workshop we will introduce the basic concepts of ableism and explore how the language we use around disability can either support equality or perpetuate stigma. Participants will be challenged to identify their own unconscious bias around disability. Come learn how to support the disability rights and disability justice community in Southwest Michigan. Register for Ableism 101 on December 9 from 1-4 pm <https://www.dnswm.org/event/72944/> and here for Ableism 102 on December 17 from 1-4 pm<https://www.dnswm.org/event/webinar-ableism-102-4/>. Web Archiving Practices for Libraries and Archives with Nicole Greenhouse December 10 & 11 - 1:00 - 3:00 pm EST For over two decades, web archiving has been a responsibility for archivists and librarians, contributing to part of their workloads, and yet, this form of archiving has always been on the periphery of library and archives work. This workshop will demonstrate the importance of engaging with web archiving work; and cover the long-term management of a web archiving program to give others the tools to make this work sustainable in their academic and professional environments. RSVP by December 5!<https://airtable.com/appjiUFI2BklUQ3xu/shrVtBMLk8JYrCm4j?prefill_Application+for=reccLsx3CZTjz57gM> Generative AI and Collection Development Policies: a proactive approach January 8, 2026 - 3:00 - 4:00 pm EST As materials created by AI continue to flood the marketplace, it is inevitable that acquisitions librarians will encounter materials generated wholly or partially by AI. Libraries can prepare for this reality with selection guidelines and collection development policies that intentionally address AI generated materials. A team of librarians from the Salt Lake County Library will share the process they used and the insights they acquired while updating their collection development policy and selection guidelines to include materials created by AI. Register here. <https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/generative-ai-collection-policies.html> Happy learning and growing! Andrea Andrea Vernola Continuing Education Coordinator | Library Development Library of Michigan, 702 W. Kalamazoo St, P.O. Box 30007, Lansing, MI 48909 vernolaA@michigan.gov<mailto:vernolaA@michigan.gov> | 517-335-0123 https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan [cid:image001.png@01DC16A8.E8261940] 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/>.
