Western Michigan University
Sharon Carlson

Wayne State University
Gabby Bray

Northern Michigan University
Mary Freier

Elsevier
Ahmed Abdel Naby

 

David Malone
Dean of the Library 
Hekman Library (Calvin University)


What are you currently reading?
I just finished up Jemar Tisby's "The Color of Compromise," a compelling history of how the American Christian church helped create and maintain racist ideas and practices. This New York Times bestseller should be a part of any introductory US History course.

What are your research interests?
My own research interests are as varied as technology in the library context and the user experience or 19th-century American religion. I have published in biographical and historical encyclopedias, as well as library science and history journals. My most recent publication (2019) was a co-authored article with sociologist Brian Miller, titled “Race, Town, and Gown: a White Christian college and a White suburb address race,” which looked at the City of Wheaton and Wheaton College and how these institutions transitioned from being socially progressive to becoming more conservative.

Do you have hobbies or interests outside of the library?
I enjoy hobbies that are creative in nature. For me, this finds expression in things food-related, from brewing beer or making and canning homemade sauerkraut to sharing large batches of homemade soup with others. I will also take on home-project that often bring accompanying frustration at not having quite the right tools at hand. 

What drew you to the library profession?
I was originally on a track to study church history with the thought of becoming an academic. While a research assistant for a history professor I was encouraged to consider academic librarianship. With this advice and a sense of my own interests, I pursued a position in archives and special collections within an academic library. I enjoy learning new things and integrating that knowledge into a larger pool. I enjoy order and outreach and have enjoyed applying technology to both these important tasks of librarianship.

What do you value about MiALA?
I have always valued local and regional professional organizations as they afford one an opportunity for networking and development. As you become involved you build relationships with individuals in similar-sized organizations that you will likely see year after year. This makes one feel a part of the profession.

The MiALA Annual Conference took place online on May 19-21, 2021.Highlights of the conference included: 

• Keynote presentation from Von Washington Jr. from the Kalamazoo Promise.
• 35 breakout sessions
• 15 poster sessions
• Membership meeting with updates from MiALA leaders, and
• Interest Group meetings

Access to breakout and poster session recordings is available to all registered conference attendees until July 30 through the conference attendee portal. After July 30, recording links will be posted on our public website for wider distribution.

Be sure to check out the MiALA Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/miala.org/) and Twitter page (https://twitter.com/MIALAorg) for a recap of what other attendees shared during the conference.

Thank you to all of our sponsors, presenters, planning committee members, volunteers, and attendees for making this all-online conference possible!

The MiALA Board is excited to announce the MiALA Academic Librarian of the Year award!

This award has been created to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of a MiALA member librarian or library administrator and their contributions to their institution and academic libraries within the academic year 2020-2021.

The winner, along with other award recipients, will be formally recognized during a special statewide event, to be held the evening of Wednesday, October 13, 2021 (via zoom). The winner will receive the following:

• $250 cash award
• Statuette
• Complementary registration to the 2022 Annual Conference

The deadline to nominate yourself and/or a fellow colleague is Friday, June 25, 2021. For more information on eligibility and to submit your nomination, go to the award page:  https://miala.org/miala_mi_acad_librarian_of_the.php 

For more information about other Michigan library awards available, be sure to check out the Michigan Library Awards page on the Michigan Library Association website: https://www.milibraries.org/michigan-library-awards.
 

Voting for our new board and Interest Group Coordination Council leadership starts on June 1. All current MiALA members will receive an email with a link to the ballot that morning. We thought it would be exciting to offer a sneak peek at the individuals who are running for our open positions as well as the proposal to amend the MiALA Bylaws: http://miala.org/election_central.php
 
Questions can be directed to any member of the Nominations/Elections Committee:
Beth Martin, Western Michigan University, Immediate Past President & Committee Chair
Rebecca Renirie, Central Michigan University
Merle Rosenzweig, University of Michigan
John Szilagyi, Lansing Community College
Carol Whittaker, Delta College
Julia Eisenstein, University of Detroit Mercy
Caryn Noel, Walsh College
Heather Ladiski, Midwest Collaborative for Library Services & MiALA Administrative Support
 

Are you looking to become more involved in MiALA? Are you looking for opportunities to share your knowledge outside your institution? 

MiALA is looking for volunteers to serve on their various committees during the 2021-2022 membership year. There are openings on the following committees:

• Advocacy
• Communications & Marketing
• Conference Planning
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Accessibility (IDEA)
• Membership
• Nominations/Elections

Committee service is a great way to learn more about the organization and share your expertise with other members. For more information on each of the committees listed, click on their links above.

If you are interested in volunteering to serve on a committee, let us know by indicating so on the form here: www.miala.org/IWantToHelp. We will be using these submissions to reach out to members interested in serving next year. Please indicate your interest no later than June 11.
 
Chairs for the Advocacy, Communications & Marketing, IDEA, and Membership committees will be self-selected within each committee. If you are interested in this leadership opportunity, you can indicate so on your volunteer form.
 
If you have any questions regarding service on a MiALA committee, contact the Nominations/Elections committee at elections@miala.org.