Thank you to the following institutions who have pledged their support for the #MiALAAC2020 Annual Conference:

Platinum Level
Grand Valley State University
Western Michigan University
OVID WoltersKluwer
Elsevier

Gold Level
Ferris State University

Silver Level
IEEE
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services

Bronze Level
SpringShare
Oakland University

Sponsoring to send an attendee to the conference
North Central Michigan College


It's not too late for your institution to sponsor! To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, go to the Annual conference Sponsorship page.

Kettering University
Courtney Cooney

 

Darlene Johnson-Bignotti
Library Faculty
Oakland Community College

2019-2020 Community College IG Chair

What are you currently reading?
I usually keep two books by my bed: one that makes me think, and one that doesn’t. Right now I’m reading “Me” by Elton John, and re-reading “What The Eyes Don’t See” by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha (about the Flint water crisis). I think you can guess which book fills which role.

What are your research interests?
I am interested in instruction practices and active learning pedagogy, particularly in working with non-traditional students. Not all community college students become scholars; the challenge is to convince them that information literacy is a life skill they can use whether seeking information about a medical condition or buying a mattress. I am always looking for ideas to make content relevant and approachable, and keep students awake (and myself as well, I’m not a morning person!).

Do you have hobbies or interests outside of the library?
After fighting and losing a battle with Bermuda Grass we converted most of our backyard into a small scale farm and organically grow most of what we eat. It’s a LOT of work but the benefits are many (and tasty). When I’m not weeding or harvesting I volunteer at community events for my public library (Ferndale) and other non-profits. I also love reading, cooking, Marvel movies, and am an aspiring gym rat.

What drew you to the library profession?
My path to the profession began in 6th grade as a "helper” in my school’s library, but it wasn’t straight. I have a B.S. degree in Arts and Media/ Journalism (from GVSC before they became GVSU). After a forgettable career in the Detroit media I wanted out and applied to and was rejected by WSU's graduate school of English. Meanwhile, I took a sales position at a small company called Gale Research. Through my clients I connected with librarians of color who convinced me to pursue a MSLS. I started WSU’s Library Science program in 1990 where I found both my true calling and true love; my husband Ken Bignotti was also a MSLS student and is a public librarian.

What do you value about MiALA?
MiALA is not yet big enough to be intimidating, but not too small or new enough to feel like it’s not on solid footing. Looking at its growth in just five years, it's clear that MiALA was wanted and needed! There are many opportunities for leadership and engagement and you don’t have to have an “ in” to get involved. So, get involved!​

Happy New Year! And a new decade!
 
I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and are getting ready for the new semester to start.  We have many things to look forward to this year, most of all our Annual Conference, May 14-15, 2020. The planning for the conference is well underway and I for one am looking forward to it.
 
As we move forward into our fifth year, there are many smaller IG events and virtual meetings coming in the next few months. If you would like your IG to host a virtual meeting or discussion group, you can look here for more information. Additionally, to see what is being offered in the coming months check out our Calendar of Events.
 
Two upcoming virtual events both sponsored by the Web/UX IG. The first is a meeting titled, Include accessibility in your workflow. It will be held on January 30, 2020. Look here for more information. The second event is a webinar being offered in February titled, The Value of Involving Student Colleagues in Library UX Work. You can register for the webinar here.
 
Thank you, members, for your continued support of MiALA. I look forward to working for and with you this new year.
 
Warmest regards,
Beth Martin

To make your website accessible for everyone, you must include accessibility practices into your everyday workflow, otherwise you risk creating websites that only work for some. In this talk, you will learn how the University of Michigan Library supports accessibility, how you and your team can work together on accessibility, and techniques to overcome common challenges. Presented by Jon Early, Front End Developer and Accessibility Specialist at the University of Michigan Library. This webinar is provided by the Web/UX Interest Group. Open to all MiALA members.

For more information and to register, go to the event page.

MiALA Annual Conference Call for Posters!

Grounded and Growing

The need to grow and change is a constant for libraries as we respond and adapt to our evolving academic environments. As we celebrate 5 years of MiALA and look towards the future of the organization, we will explore the ways academic libraries are initiating and managing change, not just redefining and reevaluating, but growing from a place that is grounded in our strengths and aligned with community needs. How do we continue what is working and critically examine and pivot from what is not?

MiALA invites you and your colleagues to submit poster proposals for the 5th annual conference to be held May 14-15, 2020 at Ferris State University. Participation from librarians, library staff, LIS students, and administrators from all types of academic libraries is encouraged.  MiALA membership is not required to submit a proposal. We welcome proposals on any topic related to academic libraries, including, but not limited to:

Access Services	Accessibility	Administration
Assessment and Evaluation	Best Practices	Budgets
Cataloging and Metadata	Collections	Critical Librarianship
Distance or Online Learning	Education and Curriculum	Electronic Resources
Fine Arts	Health Sciences	Instruction and Information Literacy
Leadership	Michigan Alma	Mid-Level Management
Open Educational Resources	Outreach	Research Services or Reference
Residency	Resource Sharing	STEM
Technical Services	Technology	User Experience
Web Development and Design

****Prior to submitting your proposal, please review the information provided on the Poster Session Guidelines page.****

Please submit your poster proposal using the application form located here by February 21, 2020. The primary contact listed on each proposal will receive a message indicating receipt of the proposal when it is submitted and decisions on proposals will be communicated to the primary contact by Friday, March 13, 2020.

Questions about proposals can be sent to David Scott DavidScott@ferris.edu. Questions about the conference in general can be sent to conference@miala.org. 

The Value of Involving Student Colleagues in Library UX Work
Online webinar 
February 28, 2020
10:00 - 11:00 am (eastern)

Involving student colleagues in user experience efforts can be symbiotic, benefiting your library and the students themselves. Organizational structures vary, but student colleagues can be involved in UX work in ways that align with your institutional context. Presenters will share how Grand Valley State University Libraries have embedded student colleagues into UX processes and the corresponding benefits, encouraging participants to imagine how they might want to involve student colleagues in their own libraries. The presentation will include perspectives of a UX Librarian, staff, a student supervisor, and a current student colleague.

Presenters: 
Kristin Meyer is the UX Librarian at GVSU and a Certified Customer Experience Professional. She's worked in libraries for eighteen years and is passionate about design thinking, creating user-centered library spaces and services, and training and development.

Heather Allen is a student supervisor for the GVSU Libraries UX team and a former GVSU Libraries student colleague. Heather has her Master's of Education in Adult and Higher Education from GVSU.

Katie Alphenaar is a Library Specialist on the GVSU Libraries UX team. She conducts, analyzes, and reports on user research, implements user engagement initiatives, and mentors student employees. Katie is a Master of Library and Information Science student at Wayne State University and a member of MiALA's Communications and Marketing Committee.

Rya Greene is a Lead UX student colleague at GVSU Libraries. She is a Dance/Non-profit Administration Major and has an anticipated graduation date of April 2021.

This webinar is provided by the Web/UX Interest Group. Open to all MiALA members.

To register, go to: https://www.memberleap.com/members/evr/reg_event.php?evid=19528461&orgcode=MALA