Public Libraries Committee Annual Report 2022

submitted by Kristie Nelsen

Current Roster

  • Laurie, Bailey, member (2025)
  • Adam, Berkowitz, member (2023)
  • Emily, Creo, member (2025)
  • Julie, Hanify, member (2025)
  • Andrew, Kaplan, member (2023)
  • Steve, Landstreet, member (2026)
  • Rebecca, Littman, member (2024)
  • Kristie, Nelsen, chair (2024)
  • Blair, Whittington, member (2023)

List of Previous Goals and Progress Made

  1. Increase awareness of MLA to the wider public library community.
    • Committee worked with 4 public librarians not affiliated with MLA to participate in panel session at the 2022 annual meeting.
    • Committee responded to multiple requests from public librarians for assistance with collection development questions.
  2. Promote discussion of public library issues within MLA.
    • Committee chair served on the Committee Recruitment Task Force and is currently serving in an ex-officio role on the Membership Committee.
    • Committee members currently serving on Advocacy, Development and the Joint MLA, MPA & MOLA committees.

List of Future Goals

  1. Increase awareness of MLA to the wider public library community.
    • Objective 2.4: Support members working in various disciplines within an organization that also includes aspects of music librarianship.
    • Many public librarians are unaware of MLA or believe it is an organization solely for academic libraries. The committee intends to increase communication with current public librarian MLA members and increase outreach to public librarians who are not currently members.
  2. Partner with other MLA committees, task forces, or interest groups to develop more membership benefits that are of interest and use to public librarians.
    • Objective 2.3: Explore educational and networking opportunities beyond annual and chapter conferences. Sustain member contact throughout the year. Formalize more opportunities to meet virtually and more frequently.
    • Objective 2.4: Support members working in various disciplines within an organization that also includes aspects of music librarianship.
    • Objective 2.5: Encourage member retention through targeted programs and support for member engagement at all career levels.
    • Objective 3.2: Draw on member expertise by offering informal educational workshops, webinars, and panels that make use of virtual meeting platforms. Offer a program of virtual workshops that are led by underrepresented groups in our membership.
    • Public librarians receive little to no financial support for conference or professional development. Providing low cost, no travel opportunities for continuing education and networking would be a way to increase participation from public library staff and gain new members. The committee would like to explore options for creating these opportunities, but we are a small committee and would likely need assistance from other MLA groups to develop any such programs.
    • Public libraries frequently appoint librarians or paraprofessionals with minimal music librarianship training to manage music collections and they are looking for help. In the past year multiple requests have come through the general business office email. Committee members have responded individually to these queries, but a prepared document that can be sent when these questions arise would be a more efficient way to respond, and could assist in new member recruitment. The committee will work to complete a guidance document.