MiALA, you showed up and showed out! Our annual conference theme “Libraries: Where Ideas Take Flight” promised a two day excursion of learning and engagement, and it did not fail to deliver! Whether you were a “frequent flyer”, recently acquired your professional wings, or somewhere in between, there was something for everyone among a solid roster of 30 breakout sessions and 13 posters. There was even a surprise visit from Chloe the Therapy Pup, who was on hand for cuddles and pets during Thursday’s poster session (pictured below with our inspiring keynote speaker, PBS Kids librarian and advocate Mychal Threets).
Refueling is another MiALA conference tradition. Our opening reception at the state of the art Homer Stryker School of Medicine in downtown Kalamazoo provided the perfect setting for noshing and networking while enjoying a student jazz trio. The student presence was also evident in our conference logo, a light bulb with wings, which was designed by Korea Ray, a 2024 graduate of WMU’s graphic design program.
Much gratitude goes to our Conference Planning Committee, lead by Mary O’Kelly and our gracious hosts WMU, our on-site conference volunteers, and our many colleagues who as co-pilots helped to guide attendees to a higher altitude in their instruction and delivery of services through best practices, research, and practical models.
We are still looking for a landing spot for next year’s conference. Not sure your institution has “the right stuff”? Please reach out to the Board: board@miala.org.
The annual conference was the peak of a busy and productive year, but our IGs and committees are the wind beneath MiALA’s wings, and they will continue their important work of spearheading programs, initiatives, and policies in the coming year.
The privilege of being MiALA President has been an amazing, motivating, and yes at times exhausting experience. But all good things come to an end, and as of July 1 I will pass the pilot’s cap to the most capable Mies Martin from Aquinas College, who has been our Vice President (aka President Trainee) this year and Conference Liaison. As we begin in earnest our strategic planning process this summer I have no doubt that MiALA will continue its steady climb under his leadership.
Lastly we bid goodbye to our term-limited Board members: Veronica Bielat, Lori Debie, Carin Graves, Aaron Kilgore, Denise Leyton; and look forward to them continuing their MiALA journey in other roles.
Be good to each other, rest and recharge over the summer, and remember that the sky’s the limit!
Darlene Johnson-Bignotti
