MLA 2024 Conference

Joining is just the first step to getting the most value from your MLA membership. Learn from active MLA members and leaders how to get involved, make your voice heard, create what is missing and find your people. The panel will share what MLA is currently doing to ensure a member-driven organization, and share ideas about making MLA work for you.

MNLINK is one of the most powerful ways library collections are connected to one another in our region. With the adoption of a new interlibrary loan interface this past spring, we have the opportunity to create a better user experience and local library metadata practice is an important place to start. Join Minitex staff to learn more about how metadata works in MNLINK, how it powers search, request, and display functionality in the interlibrary loan system. We’ll discuss some of the annoying problems end users encounter when our metadata fails to deliver a good experience. Then we’ll propose some ways that libraries in the MNLINK network can improve and fix metadata problems. If you are a cataloger, public services staff or resource sharing library worker, join us with your questions or concerns, audience participation is welcomed!

Come learn from MLA's Legislative Leadership Team. We'll share a brief Minnesota civics lesson, discuss MN state law affecting to libraries (all things Chapter 134 and more!), preview of MLA's 2025 Legislative Priorities, and provide some election speculation.

Do you want to know what the 2024 award-winning books are all about before you read them? Are you looking to add award-winning titles to your collection but you want to spend your money wisely? Do you love hearing and talking about books? This session is for you! This session will walk you through the award winners and some honorees for 2024 including awards such as the following: Newbery, Caldecott, Theodore Seuss Geisel, Sibert, Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe, Odyssey, Pura Bel Pre, Sydney Taylor Asian/Pacific American, Printz, YALSA Non-fiction, Edwards Award, Stonewall, Maud Hart Lovelace, and Star of the North There will also be time for participants to share their favorite award winners from 2024 and beyond.