MLA Committees and Workgroups
Committees and workgroups selected during an annual call for volunteers help guide the work of MLA through identifying and developing future leaders, advising on the latest trends, planning educational events such as conferences and workshops, and selecting award winners. The Call for Volunteers is issued each spring. Learn more about participating.
2024-2025 Standing Committees
Advocacy and Legislative Committee
The Advocacy and Legislative Committee monitors legislative and policy issues impacting libraries and makes policy recommendations to the MLA Board of Directors. They also inform and educate members about state legislation and policy issues and contact legislators as needed to educate them about library concerns.
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Chair: Jenny Marr
Capital Area District Libraries
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Vice-Chair: Michele Howard
Traverse Area District Library
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Lisa Buttigieg
Michigan Library Association
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Lobbyist: Bob DeVries
Governmental Consultant Services, Inc.
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Shirley Bruursema
Retired
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John A. Clexton
Gladwin District Library
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Bryan Cloutier
Oxford Public Library
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Jim Flury
The Library Network
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Dillon Geshel
Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Anne Heidemann
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Library
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Jessica Keyser
Grosse Pointe Public Library
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Kathy Lester
Michigan Association of School Librarians
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Cindy Mack
Brighton District Library
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Shaunna Martz
Kent District Library
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Michael McCullough
Willard Public Library
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Claire Meeker
Romeo District Library
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Clare Membiela
Library of Michigan
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Larry Neal
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Ann Neff-Rohs
Grand Rapids Public Library
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Dale Parus
Ionia Community Library
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Christine Peele
Detroit Public Library
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Paulina Poplawska
Salem-South Lyon District Library
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Erin Schmandt
Caro Area District Library
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Intellectual Freedom Taskforce
The purpose of the Intellectual Freedom Task Force is to support the Michigan Library Association in safeguarding intellectual freedom and first amendment rights, proactively educate and inform the library field of legislation related to intellectual freedom, develop a position and response by MLA in instances of controversy over censorship and encourage Michigan libraries to develop policies that will support free speech and the freedom to read.
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Chair: Kate Andrade
Woodlands Library Cooperative
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Keeley Briggs
Michigan Library Association
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Bryonna Barton
Eaton Rapids Area District Library
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Rori Bielak
Dexter District Library
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Shirley Bruursema
Retired
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Shelby Fox-Purrier-Rivera
Commerce Township Community Library
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Azita Frattarelli
Riverview Veterans Memorial Library
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Kathleen Gallagher
Grosse Pointe Public Library
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Dillon Geshel
Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Alice Howard
Ecorse Public Library
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Paris Kelvakis
Canton Public Library
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Stephanie Luyt
Traverse City Area Public Schools
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Clare Membiela
Library of Michigan
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Juliane Morian
Rochester Hills Public Library
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Ann Neff-Rohs
Grand Rapids Public Library
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Nominating and Leadership Development Committee
The Nominating and Leadership Development Committee cultivates leadership potential within MLA membership to maintain strong and effective governance and solicits and evaluates nominations of candidates for service on the MLA Board of Directors.
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Chair: Sophia Ward Brewer
Grand Rapids Community College
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Steven Bowers
The Library Network (TLN)
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Carol Dawe
Lakeland Library Cooperative
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Valerie Meyerson
Petoskey District Library
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Cathleen Russ
West Bloomfield Township Public Library
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Erin Schmandt
Caro Area District Library
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Eric Stanton
Capital Area District Libraries
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Finance Committee
The Finance Committee provides financial oversight for the organization, including budgeting and financial planning, financial reporting, and the creation and monitoring of internal controls and accountability policies in support of the MLA Board of Directors.
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Chair: Lisa Waskin
Superior District Library
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Anne Heidemann
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Library
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Mary Higginbottom Johnson
Muskegon Area District Library
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Michele Howard
Traverse Area District Library
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Strategic Planning Committee
The Michigan Library Association’s Strategic Planning Workgroup’s role is to develop, analyze, modify and evaluate the strategic plan/goals and objectives of MLA and identify any areas that need improvements within the organization. The Strategic Planning Workgroup annually reviews the strategic plan/goals and objectives of the organization and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding proposed changes.
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Chair: Dillon Geshel
Superiorland Library Cooperative
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Vice-Chair: Jenny Marr
Capital Area District Libraries
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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John Clexton
Gladwin County District Library
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Jaci Cooper
Kent District Library
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Eva Davis
Canton Public Library
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Michele Howard
Traverse Area District Library
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Kevin King
East Lansing Public Library
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Shaunna Martz
Kent District Library
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Vanessa Verdun-Morris
Madison Heights Public Library
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Sophia Ward Brewer
Grand Rapids Community College
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Lisa Waskin
Superior District Library
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2024-2025 Professional Development Workgroups
MLA 2024 Annual Conference Workgroup
The MLA 2024 Annual Conference is scheduled for October of 2024 in Traverse City. The workgroup assists in the planning and execution of this event with up to 600 attendees, guests, speakers and exhibitors.
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Chair: Wesleyann Johnson
Center Line Public Library
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Vice-Chair: Lisa Waskin
Superior District Library
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin
Michigan Library Association
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Matt Archibald
Traverse Area District Libraries
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Andy Bourgeois
Capital Area District Libraries
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Lisa Burns
Grosse Pointe Public Library
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Amelia Chea
Unaffiliated
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Michele Howard
Traverse Area District Library
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Andrea Ingmire
Peter White Public Library
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Sara Morrison
Briggs District Library
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James Pugh
Orion Township Public Library
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Holly Teasdle
Lyon Township Public Library
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Tim Wiggins
Niles District Library
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Elissa Zimmer
Van Buren District Library
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MLA 2024 Small and Strategic Pre-Conference Workgroup
New for 2024, the workgroup is planning a one-day event tailored to small and rural library staff ahead of the MLA 2024 Annual Conference in October.
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Linda Adams
Northland Library Cooperative
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Kate Andrade
Woodlands Library Cooperative
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Audrey Barker
Kent District Library
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Trixie McMeeking
Homer Public Library
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Eric Palmer
Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative
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Lisa Waskin
Superior District Library
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Tim Wiggins
Niles District Library
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MLA 2025 Annual Conference Workgroup
The MLA 2025 Annual Conference is scheduled for October of 2025 in Lansing. The workgroup assists in the planning and execution of this event with up to 600 attendees, guests, speakers and exhibitors.
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Chair: Lisa Waskin
Superior District Library
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Vice-Chair: James Pugh
Cedar Springs Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin
Michigan Library Association
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Megan Rose
Dickinson County Library
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Lisa Burns
Grosse Pointe Public Library
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Ryan Deery
Charlevoix Public Library
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Mallorie DeVilbiss
Suburban Library Cooperative
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Jolee Hamlin
Capital Area District Libraries
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Amy Lee
Canton Public Library
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Chase McMunn
Orion Township Public Library
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Sara Morrison
Briggs District Library
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EmmaLee Ridenour
White Lake Township Library
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Katie Rothley
Northville District Library
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Jill Sodt
Mott Community College
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Ryan Tackabury
Genesee District Library
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Holly Teasdle
Lyon Township Public Library
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Tim Wiggins
Niles District Library
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Elissa Zimmer
Van Buren District Library
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Spring Institute for Youth Services 2025 Workgroup
This two-day conference brings together approximately 200 statewide children and teen service librarians to share, learn and experience best practices. Help plan valuable programming that includes national award-winning authors, illustrators and storytellers.
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Chair: Jill M. Anderson
Kent District Library
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Vice-Chair: Courtnei Moyses
Traverse Area District Library
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin
Michigan Library Association
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Marissa Boisclair
Commerce Township Community Library
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Kayla Brock
Bay County Library System
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Laura Bultman
Kalamazoo Public Library
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Melissa Connolly
Oak Park Public Library
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Becky DeLiso
Chesterfield Township Library
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Beth Emmons
Frankenmuth Wickson District Library
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Kristen Getzin
Fraser Public Library
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Heather Harrison
Flint & Genesee Literacy Network
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Whitney Jones
Northville District Library
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Nisa Kesseler
Petoskey District Library
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Ashley Lehman
Orion Township Public Library
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Wendy Lehman
Rochester Hills Public Library
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Jocelyn Levin
Lyon Township Public Library
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Lisa Martin
Warren Public Library
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Holly Osentoski
Troy Public Library
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Lydia Schmidt
Hackley Public Library
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Jennifer Sunderhaus
Shelby Township Library
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Michigan Library Advocacy Day 2025 Workgroup
On Wednesday, April 30, 2025 the Michigan library community will unite to amplify our collective voice in support of all Michigan libraries at Michigan Library Advocacy Day! Passionate and committed library advocates from all across Michigan will join together in person in Lansing to represent our public, school, academic, tribal and special libraries.
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Chair: John Clexton
Gladwin County District Library
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Staff Liaison: Deborah E. Mikula
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Amber Sheerin
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Lisa Buttigieg
Michigan Library Association
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Staff Liaison: Keeley Briggs
Michigan Library Association
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Bob DeVries
Governmental Consultant Services, Inc.
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Ann Neff-Rohs
Grand Rapids Public Library
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Michigan Library Awards Workgroup
The Michigan Library Awards workgroup helps plan the Michigan Library Awards celebration each October as well as reviews and updates award guidelines, encourages nominations, reviews nominees and recommends the winners for MLA’s professional recognition awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Public Librarian of the Year, Heart of a Champion, Rising Star, Frances H. Pletz Award for Excellence in Service to Youth, Intellectual Freedom Award and Support Staff of the Year.
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Chair: Lauren Arnsman
Troy Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Jan Davidson
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
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Meghan Mott
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Christopher Potts
Capital Area District Libraries
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2025 Literary Award Workgroups
Mitten Award
The Mitten Award workgroup recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in picture book format. Read more about the Mitten Award here.
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Chair: Leigh Verburg
Kent District Library
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Vice-Chair: Danielle DiAmico
Bay County Library System
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Yasmeen Anis
Grand Haven Area Public Schools
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Lauren Aquilina
Commerce Township Community Library
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Adrienne Baker
Herrick District Library
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Emily Brush
Novi Public Library
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Amanda Carroll
Bloomfield Township Public Library
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Kimberlee Gardner
Rochester Hills Public Library
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Michael Golczynski
Kent District Library
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Lydia Jacobsen
Orion Township Public Library
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Wesleyann Johnson
Center Line Public Library
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Christina McIntosh
Salem South Lyon District Library
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Julie Moore
Clinton Macomb Public Library
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Michelle Neuwirth-Gray
Canton Public Library
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Everett Pine
Ferndale Area District Library
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Lisa Rodkey
Grand Haven Public Schools
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Samantha Tomlinson
Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
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Loni Wetherell
Cromaine District Library
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YouPer (Young Person) Award
The YouPer Award workgroup recognizes and promotes quality literature for youth in chapter book format. Read more about the YouPer Award here.
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Chair: Katie Perkey
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Vice-Chair: Catherine Ash
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Taryn Allan
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Tracy Bedford
Southfield Public Library
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Lisa Boyd
Canton Public Library
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Fillippa Genovese
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Nicole G. Gillies
Bloomfield Township Public Library
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Carol Robinson
Grand Ledge Area District Library
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Carolyn Sherrill
Rochester Hills Public Library
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Samantha Stachowiak
Plymouth District Library
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Liz Wierenga
Kent District Library
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Thumbs Up! Award
The Thumbs Up! Award workgroup recognizes an outstanding contribution to teen literature that has both literary quality and teen appeal for those 13 to 18 years of age. Read more about the Thumbs Up! Award here.
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Chair: Kayla Koning
Paw Paw District Library
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Staff Liaison: Rachel Ash
Michigan Library Association
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Jess Bruechert
Adrian District Library
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Elizabeth Colo
Center Line Public Library
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Heather Draft
Cromaine District Library
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Samantha Ingerson
Sterling Heights Public Library
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Colleen Kingsbury
Plymouth District Library
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Anjelica Lyman
Commerce Township Community Library
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Kirsten Malzahn
Novi Public Library
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Julianne Novetsky
Warren Public Library
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Rheanna Reeder
East Lansing Public Library
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Amanda Shepard
Herrick District Library
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Cheyenne Smith
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
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Austin Webberly
Novi Public Library
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