Public Libraries Committee Annual Report 2023

submitted by Kristie Nelsen

Current Roster

  • Laurie Bailey, member (2025)
  • Connor Bowman, member (2027)
  • Julie Hanify, member (2025)
  • Andrew Kaplan, member (2027)
  • Steve Landstreet, member (2026)
  • Rebecca Littman, member (2024)
  • Kristie Nelsen, chair (2024)
  • Will Scharfenberger, member (2027)
  • Bob Tangney, member (2027)
  • Blair Whittington, member (2027)
  • Brian Zamek, member (2027)

List of Previous Goals and Progress Made

  • 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.
    • Committee members continue promoting public librarian awareness of MLA at the local level and on social media.
  • 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.
    • Committee members have done some limited outreach to other committees and interest groups regarding collaboration on continuing education webinars or workshops to be made available online. However, there are no specific plans for online classes at this time.
    • The committee has made significant progress on a collection development guidance document for public library workers charged with maintaining their library’s music collection. The document is in draft form and close to final approval by the committee.

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.
    • The committee will consider options for regular communication with current members who work in public libraries as well as ways to recruit new members from public libraries.
  • 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.
    • The committee will continue to look for ways to partner with other committees or interest groups in providing educational opportunities for public library staff.
    • The committee will also consider ways to support public librarians in the current climate of bans and challenges.