Michigan Library Association

Me when my library doesn’t have the book: Fine. I’ll ask the entire state.
Because... would you just LOOK at all of those libraries!?

And you can, because of MeLCat, or the Michigan eLibrary Catalog. MeLCat lets you search the collections of participating libraries across Michigan and request eligible materials to be delivered to your home library for pickup. Think of it as your library card reaching far beyond your own library’s shelves.

Explore MeLCat: https://mel.org/welcome

To use MeLCat, you’ll need a library card from a participating Michigan library. MeL.org: Michigan eLibrary

Library work comes with some very specific challenges. Sometimes the best part of a conference is meeting someone who understands exactly what you mean—because they've been there, too.

Come to MLA 2026 to learn, share what's working, talk through what's not, meet library people from across Michigan, and go home with new ideas (and probably a few new contacts in your phone and some tote bags too).

Because sometimes the most useful conference takeaway starts with, “At our library, we tried…”

Register today: https://ow.ly/x0Fc50ZPYur

Time’s running out! Don’t miss your chance to support us on Target Circle’s list of featured nonprofits. Make your voice count before September 30!

Here’s how:
Step 1: Choose “My Target” in the Target app, or visit
https://www.target.com/circle/community-voting in your browser.
Step 2: Tap ‘Cast votes’
Step 3: Find us & vote

MLA is being featured in several Michigan Target store locations, which have a code of MI-DET and MI.S:

MI-DET include:
Allen Park
Auburn Hills
Bloomfield Township
Canton Ford Road
Canton Michigan Avenue
Chesterfield
Chesterfield
Clinton Pointe
Commerce Township
Dearborn
Dearborn Heights
Farmington Hills
Lakeside
Livonia
Macomb Twp
Madison Heights
Northville
Novi
Rochester
Rochester
Shelby Township
Southfield
Southland
Sterling Heights W
Troy
Warren
Westland
Woodhaven

MI.S include:
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor State Street
Battle Creek
East Lansing Downtown
Hartland Township
Jackson
Jackson
Kalamazoo West
Lansing South
Okemos
Portage
West Lansing
Ypsilanti Carpenter Road

The voting period is from now – September 30, 2026.

Detroit Public Library is reminding us that it’s always a great time to signup for a library card at your local library.

Libraries are one of the last places where you can spend time without a purchase, attend fun or educational events without an admission cost, borrow items from books to movies to really cool things you wouldn’t expect, create in makerspaces (if your library has one), get assistance with homework or research, get answers when you experience tech issues (within reason), borrow from other libraries, connect with your community in many ways, volunteer with the library’s Friends group and give back, meet neighbors and friends, be a part of a discussion around books and stories, hear from a variety of expert presenters, and so much more.

September is and the is excited to share our new campaign with new cards! The new designs are inspired by the growing excitement and pride in Detroit and the special connection Detroiters have with their city and their library. 2050 Partners, Inc., a Detroit-based marketing firm, worked with DPL to create the campaign concept and bold new graphics that bring that spirit to life.

Find out how you can get your library card: https://detroitpubliclibrary.org/news/library-card-2026

Love Your City. Love Your Library. Got Your Card!

A great service to offer, especially when people forget their phone at home, need to charge their phone and don’t have a charger handy, or don’t have a phone.

Our Michigan libraries are full of passionate staff who are dedicated to providing helpful resources, services, programs, solutions, and collections, and we are grateful for them!

Kalamazoo Public Library

Sometimes, you just need to make a call.

A free public phone is available on the lower level of Central Library for anyone who needs to make a local call.
Connecting with family. Making an appointment. Reaching a community resource. Taking care of something important.

Read what you like at your own pace in whatever format you prefer (audiobooks count as reading!)

Thank you Kent District Library for this reminder. ♥️📚

Reading enhances empathy, strengthens social skills and fosters meaningful connections with others.

ALA will select 25 public libraries—including eligible tribal libraries—to receive a $5,000 programming stipend, four quarterly STEM kits and an A Year of STEM programming guide.

Selected libraries will also receive promotional templates, virtual training and access to a private peer-support group in ALA Connect. Explore the guidelines, FAQs and application details to help bring more engaging STEM experiences to your community.

Offered In collaboration with Cummins Inc.

Learn more & apply by October 28: https://ow.ly/KlKt50ZPqg3

American Library Association

Behind every successful library service is someone who kept learning, adapting and showing up—even when the work was difficult.

Michigan library staff, you don’t have to figure everything out alone. Join colleagues from across the state at the MLA 2026 Annual Conference, October 28–30 in Novi, to exchange ideas, find practical support and reconnect with people who understand the work you do.

Come with questions. Leave with ideas, encouragement and a stronger professional community beside you.

Save your spot, register today: https://ow.ly/JlJH50ZORSJ