Southwest Michigan Library Cooperative

01/06/2026

The Southwest Michigan Library Cooperative extends our deepest sympathy to the Riley family, and the Library of Michigan staff. Randy was a champion and faithful advocate for Michigan libraries and will be greatly missed.

The is sad to announce the passing of Randy Riley. Randy served as the State Librarian since 2014. He joined in 1989 and held several positions, including reference librarian, head of Special Collections, and Coordinator. More details will soon be announced.

04/30/2025

Congrats Buchanan District Library!! 👏🏻

We hope to see YOU on Thursday to celebrate our new Community Room!

For the past several months, Pearson Construction has been hard at work at the library, and construction is now complete on our new second-floor Community Room! Join us to celebrate with a ribbon cutting with the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce.

Click the link below to RSVP
https://forms.gle/4TP8Js7x1RxfiyWd7

04/02/2025

SMLC would like to Congratulate the Paw Paw District Library Board for being the FIRST board to complete the Trustees Impact Year Challenge in March!

Thank you for making a difference in the Paw Paw community and for your impact at the Paw Paw District Library! You are appreciated!

12/03/2024

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

Join us for the Grand Re-Opening of the Lincoln Township Public Library! 📚✨

🗓 Saturday, Dec. 14
🎀 Ribbon Cutting at 10:00 AM

📍 Come celebrate our new and improved space! We can't wait to welcome you back! 💙

10/24/2024

Today we celebrated this awesome group of library directors having certified experience in the field, thriving every day! They have completed the SMLC New Director’s group. Keep up the great work, everyone. This group is doing really great things in their respective communities and libraries!
Earning their Not-So-New-Anymore “Certified Experience” certificates:
Joelle Wake, Bill Lewis, Jack Buck, Patricia Buckhold, Sarah Skinner, and Paula Stakley. Not pictured: Matt Willis and Kati Burchett

10/18/2024

08/27/2024

"Our vision for the 2024 Annual Conference came to life after hearing of its location, greater Traverse City, which, for many of us, isn’t just a location but a “destination”. MLA events are meetings of minds, first and foremost, but we wanted the 2024 Annual Conference to offer an escape as well. This is reflected in the roster of events: from the Tuesday evening pre‑conference events (a wine/brewery tour, the tour of the State Hospital and a murder mystery party), the opening keynote speech from award‑winning magician Ben Whiting, the “See You in the Funny Pages” library comic contest with the acclaimed artist Gene Ambaum, the reception at the Traverse Area District Library, our fun “jam sessions” for bouncing ideas and so much more! When we play, we learn. Our objective is to have attendees “press play” and enjoy themselves, while developing professionally."

Read the 'Note from Wesleyann, MLA 2024 Annual Conference Chair,' here: https://ow.ly/x8rK50T63Rs

08/08/2024

Congrats to the Ransom District Library on the passage of their 0.58-mill operating millage renewal!

08/08/2024

Congrats to the Lincoln Township Public Library on the passage of their .50 mills operating millage renewal/Headlee Override on August 6th!

08/08/2024

Congrats to Marcellus Township Wood Memorial Library on the passage of their 2.00-mills operating millage renewal on August 6th!

08/02/2024

https://youtu.be/b-aMVZnOQQo?si=JiOu5_xcQpfxBMrb

07/01/2024

Registration for MLA 2024 Annual Conference and Small and Strategic Preconference is now OPEN! This October 15 -18, PRESS PLAY and join the Michigan library community at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City.
Learn more and register, here:
https://ow.ly/YR3M50SslSG

Registration for MLA 2024 Annual Conference and Small and Strategic Preconference is now OPEN! This October 15 -18, PRESS PLAY and join the Michigan library community at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City.

Learn more and register, here:
https://ow.ly/YR3M50SslSG