Skip to content

Manitoba Library Association Posts

September 28, 2026
commsMLA
Comments closed

Library Connections 2026

Posted in Uncategorized

Library Connections will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026 at the Gaynor Family Regional Library in Selkirk. Lunch is included and will be from Brew & Bake Cafe (located inside GFRL).

Take a peek at the schedule:

  • In-the-field Panel #1: “Resource Sharing”
  • In-the-Field Panel #2 : “Building Partnerships” with a focus on Municipalities and Indigenous Relationships
  • Walking tour with Jeannie, the Indigenous knowledge worker at GFRL
  • Tour of newly renovated library space
  • Round Table Discussions – 5 topics and 5 tables where we ask (and answer):
    • WHAT? What’s the issue and/or opportunity we’re exploring
    • SO WHAT? Why it matters for our libraries, networks and communities
    • NOW WHAT? What we can do next together / on our own

PLEASE NOTE

Our new membership categories and benefits are now in place. An *individual* membership is required to get free registration for this event. (Institutional memberships do not qualify for free registration. Non-members pay $30.00 for the day.)

Please also come prepared to share:
1) some of your library proudest moments from the last year on our Brag Board
2) items to swap and share at our Library Connections Swap Shoppe
3) your latest Annual Report

Register for Library Connections Here

September 2, 2026
commsMLA
Comments closed

New Publication: Municipal Election Toolkit 2026

Posted in Uncategorized

The Manitoba Library Association (MLA) has created an election toolkit to help engage candidates and the public on the topic of support for public libraries. It’s more important than ever to ensure our elected government officials truly understand the value and importance of Manitoba Libraries.

Inside this kit you will find the following helpful tools needed to communicate with candidates:

1. MLA’s top priorities for the 2026 municipal and school board elections;

2. an email/letter template for contacting candidates;

3. suggested questions to pose to candidates;

4. social media to share with your social networks;

5. a list of helpful resources related to the value of public libraries.

Whether you are a library worker or a member of the general public, you are encouraged to customize this information to suit the advocacy needs of your library/library system, and/or to assist your support of Manitoba libraries.

Municipal Election Toolkit 2026 (English)
Municipal Election Toolkit 2026 (French)
July 27, 2026
commsMLA
Comments closed

Conference Presentation: Kirsten Wurmann on “Making Meaning Through Story”

Posted in Conference, and Prison Libraries

The Manitoba Library Association is proud to share that Kirsten Wurmann, MLA’s Program Coordinator and a dedicated member of our Prison Libraries Committee, presented at the National Action Committee for Access to Justice Conference held May 26–28, 2026, in Ottawa.

In addition to her work with MLA, Kirsten works with the Manitoba Law Library, where she advocates for accessible legal information.

This year’s conference, Advancing People‑Centred Justice in Canada: Data Sharing and Knowledge Building, brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, community organizations, and justice system leaders from across Canada and beyond to explore what it means to build a people-centred justice system that learns, adapts, and earns public trust. Panels explored participation and power, language and understanding, court data and evaluation, professional roles and regulation, design and innovation (including AI), justice in rural and remote contexts, and the funding structures that sustain system change.

Kirsten participated in the panel “Making Knowledge Usable: Language, Literacy, and Legitimacy in Justice”, which examined how law, language, and institutional culture can either empower people or keep them excluded. Together, they show how knowledge—when translated, shared, and co-created—becomes a means of participation.

Watch the full presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96wVaKwjtKM&t=2764s

July 16, 2026
commsMLA
Comments closed

Podcast Episode Spotlight: Are Our Libraries Under Attack?

Posted in Advocacy, and Public Libraries

As part of our efforts to highlight conversations on the importance of library services and work in Manitoba, we’re sharing a podcast episode of Humans, On Rights with MLA Program Director Kirsten Wurmann.

Humans, On Rights is a podcast hosted by Stuart Murray featuring thoughtful conversations with grassroots human rights community leaders, policymakers, advocates, and educators on what drives them to champion human rights.

In this episode, Wurmann discusses how libraries are feeling pressure to remove certain books from the library and because of that libraries should not be neutral spaces.

Show Notes:

“Libraries need to be accountable to our community and our community is comprised of people from a myriad of backgrounds. She believes that libraries must reflect the communities that we serve, and that all of our community members should feel represented within their library collection. Therefore, Wurmann says libraries are not neutral because we do care about the community so much and that’s what guides our work.Kirsten Wurmann is passionate about human rights, about diversity, about inclusivity and accessibility. And all those values need to be reflected when someone walks into a library. With the support of the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers, the Manitoba Library Association has announced a new award called the Human Rights Book Award. This Human Rights Book Award will support and recognize Manitoba libraries hard work to uphold library values of intellectual freedom while at the same time reflecting their community’s need for inclusive and diverse library spaces.”

Listen Here

July 6, 2026
commsMLA
Comments closed

Get Involved with the Manitoba Library Association

Posted in Professional Development

Are you looking for a meaningful way to contribute to Manitoba’s library community? The Manitoba Library Association (MLA) is seeking enthusiastic members to join one of our three committees.

Advocacy Committee

Help strengthen MLA’s voice by supporting advocacy initiatives that promote libraries, library workers, and equitable access to information across Manitoba.

Programming (Professional Development) Committee

Help shape MLA’s professional development offerings by planning engaging learning opportunities, networking events, and educational programs that support our members.

Membership Committee

Help grow and strengthen our association by engaging new members, enhancing member engagement, and ensuring MLA continues to provide value to library professionals across the province.

What is the commitment? 

  • Approximately six meetings per year or less
  • Occasional email discussions with timely responses when decisions or feedback are needed between meetings.

Why join?

  • Help shape the future direction and priorities of the Manitoba Library Association.
  • Contribute to the growth and strength of Manitoba’s library profession.
  • Share your ideas and expertise while learning from colleagues across the province.
  • Expand your professional network and develop leadership experience.
  • Make a meaningful impact on the library community.

Whether you’re an experienced library professional or newer to the field, your perspective is valuable. We encourage members from all library sectors to get involved.

Interested in joining a committee? Please reach out to Brigitte L’Heureux, Executive Director, at execdirector@mla.mb.ca. We would be happy to answer your questions and help you find the committee that best matches your interests and experience.

June 27, 2026
commsMLA
Comments closed

Your Guide to Manitoba’s Summer Library Programs

Posted in Programming, and Uncategorized

As summer programming is heating up, we invite you to take a look at some of the creative programs being promoted by Manitoba public libraries!

The directory below showcases a wide range of programs happening in libraries throughout the province. The directory brings together a selection of publicly available summer program examples from across the province, including summer reading activities, storytimes, arts and maker programs, cultural programming, wellness activities, newcomer services, technology help, and community events.

This province‑wide directory was compiled by the Public Library Services Branch, Government of Manitoba — Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, highlighting publicly available examples to inspire and support local programming.

Explore the directory: https://mla.mb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Start-of-2026-Summer-99-Unique-Library-Programs.pdf

June 19, 2026
prisonlibraries
Comments closed

Announcement! New Membership Platform

Posted in Membership

The Manitoba Library Association has recently updated and streamlined its membership structure.

We encourage you to visit our membership page to review the new membership categories and the benefits associated with each.

We have also completed our transition to a new membership management platform, Yapla. This change will help us provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience for members, including online account access, event registrations, membership renewals, and communications. Current members should have already received an email with instructions on how to access and activate their online member account in the new system. Those members with expired memberships will receive an email soon with instructions of how to sign up for membership through Yapla – to sign up now, please visit our Yapla membership-sign up page.

Thank you for your patience as we complete this transition. We are excited about the improvements this new platform will bring and look forward to continuing to serve Manitoba’s library community.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

May 8, 2026
commsMLA
Comments closed

MLA Releases New Strategic Plan

Posted in Uncategorized

The Manitoba Library Association Board of Directors is excited to share our vision, mission, values, priorities, and objectives. The 2026-2030 Strategic Plan is the result of member input and thorough board discussions that took place for the purpose of establishing a clear, unified sense of priorities and direction.

The Manitoba Library Association conducted a membership survey designed to gather input from library workers across Manitoba. A total of 281 respondents shared their perspectives on professional development, advocacy, communication, and membership value, ensuring that the plan reflects the diverse voices of the library community.

Building on this feedback, a strategic planning workshop was held in November 2025 with the Board of Directors and staff, including reflection on previous work, review of mission and vision statements, and facilitated brainstorming to identify key opportunities, challenges, and priorities for the association.

We hope that all people associated with the Manitoba Library Association take some time to review the new Strategic Plan. The vision, mission, values and priorities outlined in this plan will guide future decisions and directions of the Manitoba Library Association.

March 26, 2026
prisonlibraries
Comments closed

Now accepting scholarship applications!

Posted in Uncategorized

Scholarships are open to Manitoba students enrolled in Library and Information Studies graduate level programs. Deadline for this year’s scholarship applications is May 4, 2026.

Apply today for one of the following:

Jean Thorunn Law Scholarship

Available to eligible applicants who have worked in a Manitoba library and who choose to further their career by pursuing a graduate program in library and information science. Applicants must have been engaged in recent library work in Manitoba for twelve months.

John Edwin Bissett Scholarship

Available to eligible undergraduates of the University of Manitoba who are pursuing a graduate program in library and information science. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba.

Marilyn J. Hernandez Scholarship

Available to eligible applicants who are residents of Manitoba and who are pursuing a master’s or PhD in an accredited library and information program.

For more information and links to FAQs, and the applications and reference forms, please visit: mla.mb.ca/scholarships-and-awards/scholarships/

Questions can be directed to the Scholarships committee at awards@mla.mb.ca

March 5, 2026
prisonlibraries
Comments closed

Join us – the Manitoba Library Association is looking for a treasurer!

Posted in Board

MLA has a dedicated staff to take care of daily business, and assist the move from a “working” board to one that governs, guides, and provides oversight.
Staff and volunteer board members work together to implement MLA’s vision and mandate.
If interested please apply for this position here:
Have questions? Please reach out: execdirector@mla.mb.ca