The Advocacy Committee is charged with providing resources and education about issues of importance to academic librarians and libraries, especially in the context of higher education within the state of Michigan. The committee engages in activities that raise professional awareness of specific issues and creates tools and documentation to support academic librarians in their own advocacy efforts. The committee promotes the efforts of ACRL in its commitment of helping members demonstrate their value by highlighting and documenting best practices and assessment efforts. The committee promotes professional development to increate academic librarian capacity to advocate on issues impacting libraries by supporting ALA advocacy efforts and hosting workshops. As appropriate, the committee may work with other library communities within the state to highlight issues related to developing an engaged citizenship and promoting lifelong learning.
Past Charges of the Advocacy Committee have included:
Highlight OER activities within the state
Develop talking points and other documentation to assist academic librarians in promoting OER activities within their own institutions and communities
Write one or more articles highlighting MI activities related to communicating the library's value
If you are interested in serving on the advocacy committee, click here to fill out the committee volunteer form.
MiALA Statement in Support of Michigan School Libraries
The Michigan Academic Library Association (MiALA) as an organization believes that Michigan's public, school, academic, and special libraries are connected, each serving Michigan's citizens at various points in their life. It is essential for libraries of all types to support each other, especially in times when outside support becomes more limited. In particular, school library media centers are an integral part of the K-12 education for the students in Michigan and provide a thirteen year foundation in teaching and learning.
Therefore, MiALA fully endorses the Michigan Department of Education and the Library of Michigan's support for school library media centers. In addition, MiALA recognizes that the employment of a full-time, certified, school librarian/Library Media Specialist is critical to the provision of an effective school library program. Vibrant, appropriately-staffed school libraries have direct impact on student achievement. Every student must be provided with the opportunity for equal access to resources and information, and all students learn critical literacy skills necessary for success in higher education as well as for life.
The Library Media Specialist is a credentialed educator and is highly qualified to teach the 21st Century skills our students need in order to be adequately prepared for college, careers, and lifelong learning. The Library Media Specialist is able to fully collaborate with classroom teachers in support of reading development, information and digital literacy skills, and curriculum development. MiALA supports efforts to ensure access for all Michigan students to fully-funded school libraries with appropriate resources, programming, and certified staff.
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