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Manitoba Library Association Posts

March 26, 2026
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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
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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

February 18, 2026
prisonlibraries
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We’re hiring!

Posted in Uncategorized

Communications & Marketing Coordinator
Position Type: Part-time (8 hours/week)
Salary: $25/hour
Location: Remote (Manitoba-based preferred)

Position Summary

The Manitoba Library Association (MLA) is seeking a Communications & Marketing Coordinator to strengthen MLA’s visibility, voice, and member engagement across Manitoba’s library sector.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role leads the planning and delivery of communications across digital platforms, including the monthly e-newsletter, website, and social media. The Coordinator develops and implements an annual communications plan, monitors engagement metrics, and supports advocacy and awareness campaigns that advance MLA’s strategic priorities and promote the value of libraries in Manitoba.

Key Responsibilities

Communications & Content Development

  • Plan, write, edit, and produce MLA’s monthly e-newsletter
  • Maintain and update website content to ensure accuracy and accessibility
  • Create and schedule social media content aligned with MLA priorities
  • Ensure consistent messaging, tone, and branding across platforms

Strategic Communications Planning

  • Develop and maintain an annual communications plan aligned with MLA’s strategic goals
  • Identify opportunities to promote initiatives, events, partnerships, and member achievements
  • Provide creative recommendations to expand MLA’s reach and profile

Member Engagement & Analytics

  • Monitor engagement metrics (newsletter, social media, website)
  • Identify trends and opportunities to enhance member participation
  • Provide brief engagement summaries to inform decision-making

Advocacy & Campaign Support

  • Support planning and delivery of advocacy and public awareness campaigns
  • Develop clear campaign messaging, calls to action, and digital content
  • Track campaign reach and engagement, and suggest improvements

Collaboration

  • Work closely with the Executive Director, Program Coordinator, and committees
  • Support communications related to events, advocacy efforts, and membership growth

Qualifications

  • Experience in communications, marketing, digital media, or a related field
  • Strong writing and editing skills
  • Experience managing websites and social media platforms
  • Experience in nonprofit or membership-based organizations is an asset
  • Knowledge of libraries or the library sector is an asset
  • Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset

Skills & Attributes

  • Highly organized with strong attention to detail
  • Creative, proactive, and comfortable proposing new ideas
  • Able to work independently and manage multiple priorities
  • Strong communication and collaboration skill

How to Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to execdirector@mla.mb.ca 
Application deadline: Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

February 4, 2026
prisonlibraries
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Manitoba Library Consortium Inc. to Dissolve

Posted in Academic Libraries, Advocacy, Public Libraries, and Special Libraries

 

February 2, 2026

 

 

MLCI to Dissolve

Following several years of reduced activity, the members of the Manitoba Library Consortium Inc. (MLCI) have voted to dissolve the organization. This decision took place at MLCI’s annual general meeting, held November 24, 2025.

MLCI members had decided in 2024 that before making a decision about the organization’s future, it would be helpful to hire a consulting firm to study the Manitoba library community’s needs and capacity, and to outline the risks and benefits of various paths forward for the organization. Nordicity’s final report, presented at the AGM, presents MLCI’s organization context, an overview of the library sector, needs and priorities of the community identified through a survey and focus groups, future scenarios, and a recommended path forward. Recognizing the vastly reduced level of activity at MLCI in recent years and the limited capacity of the library community to support multiple associations and consortia, Nordicity’s recommendation was “that MLCI formally dissolve as a standalone incorporated entity and that its core mandate be transitioned into a new division within MLA [Manitoba Library Association].”

During its 34 years of activity, MLCI made a number of valued contributions to the province’s library sector, including negotiating group licensing agreements, overseeing the Manitobia.net and Manitoba Local Histories digitization projects, professional development opportunities including Library Innovation Day, networking and access initiatives such as Linking Libraries, and the Library Express coordinated interlibrary loan and delivery system.

In the coming months, the MLCI Board will take steps to dissolve the corporation, while working with MLA to identify a path toward integrating MLCI’s commitment to cross-sector collaboration and advocacy into its activities and to addressing the findings of the Nordicity study regarding needs.

Please contact manitobalibraryconsortium@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments.

 

January 26, 2026
prisonlibraries
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Apply to host an author for Canadian Children’s Book Week! Deadline January 30

Posted in Programming, and Public Libraries

Canadian Children’s Book Week is a national celebration of books, reading, and the magic of creating stories. During this event, 30+ Canadian children’s book authors and illustrators will tour the country presenting talks and workshops to youth audiences in schools and libraries.

The Canadian Children’s Book Centre organizes the event at the national level and invites you to apply to host one of the following two authors touring Manitoba during the event:
Author Mireille Messier (Paradise, NS) will be offering presentations in English and in French. She is the author of picture books, chapter books, middle-grade fiction, and non-fiction. Visit her Book Week profile page here: https://bookcentre.ca/pages/people/mireille-messier
Author-playwright-screenwriter Emil Sher (Toronto, ON) will be offering presentations in English for Grades 1 – 12. He is best known for his book, Hana’s Suitcase on Stage. Emil is also the author of several picture books including I Love You More, illustrated by Barbara Reid. Visit his Book Week profile page here: https://bookcentre.ca/pages/people/emil-sher\
The Manitoba Book Week host application can be accessed from each author’s profile page.
Learn more about Canadian Children’s Book Week here:
Cost: For one 60-minute presentation: $300 plus 5% GST.
Application Deadline: January 30 at 11:59 pm Central Time

 

December 20, 2025
prisonlibraries
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The Librarians movie screening January 16!

Posted in Intellectual Freedom, and Special Events

The Manitoba Library Association is thrilled to announce an in-person screening of The Librarians (watch the trailer here) on Friday, January 16 at the Université de Saint-Boniface.
This documentary is making big headlines at film festivals and throughout libraryland as it tackles censorship and the freedom to read through the experiences of librarians in a small U.S. town.

We will host an important discussion afterwards as we bring in library workers to discuss the real experiences facing libraries in Manitoba today, and to bring the Canadian and Manitoba context into the conversation.

There will also be a chance for some nibblies and networking beginning at 6pm with the film screening at 7pm.
The parking lot (off Despins Street) is unrestricted/free after 5 p.m.

Looking forward to seeing you there – please reach out with questions: programs@mla.mb.ca

We look forward to seeing you!
December 15, 2025
prisonlibraries
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Free training in January and February 2026!

Posted in Membership, and Professional Development

Coming up in January and February, MLA is pleased to offer free training for members.

Sign up for the following online training:

Social Media Basics – presented by Volunteer Manitoba
Wednesday January 14, 2026
9 am – 12 pm online

Register here: https://forms.gle/tzZd2MSkLtJ3Sv3y8

Fundraising Basics – presented by Volunteer Manitoba
Wednesday January 28, 2026
9 am – 12 pm online

Register here: https://forms.gle/L4JF5X1vCdRhd9W4A

De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations – presented by Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
9 am – 12 pm online (*limit 50 registrants*)

Register here: https://forms.gle/unjjN7v4ZGYagb4s9

Generous funding provided by:

 

 

December 10, 2025
prisonlibraries
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Urgent Action Needed on Bill C-15

Posted in Advocacy

Bill C-15 is moving quickly through the Senate, and the proposed repeal of the Library Book Rate puts equitable access to library materials at serious risk. We need your voice right now.

The Standing Senate Committees are currently studying Bill C-15 and we need to voice our concerns. Individual letters from Manitobans do make a difference. To make this as simple as possible, we’ve prepared:

Please take a few minutes today to send your message. The loss of the Library Book Rate would have immediate and disproportionate impacts on rural, northern, and small Manitoba libraries, and on blind, low-vision, and print-disabled readers across the province.

Your advocacy matters. Thank you for lending your voice at this critical moment.

November 5, 2025
prisonlibraries
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New! MLA offers Peer-to-Peer Mentorship program

Posted in Membership, Professional Development, and Uncategorized

The Manitoba Library Association is happy to present you their Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Pilot Program.
Our goal is to offer connections and facilitate communication between our members to help them succeed in their library work and grow in their career.

Who can apply?
The program is open to all individual members of the Manitoba Library Association. If you are not already an individual member, you can register at this address:  mla.mb.ca/membership/

All types of library workers are welcome to participate: librarians, library technicians, managers, library assistants, directors, etc. All types of libraries are welcome: rural, academic, public, solo and more!

Each pair will establish how often they will communicate, meeting at least once a month, and how they prefer to communicate.

How does it work?
We want to match individuals who think they have experience to share and also want to learn new ways of doing. We are proposing a Peer-to-Peer programming, where we want to connect library members with similar career experiences. You can exchange ideas and find support in your field.

Maybe you mainly work with programming but want to learn more about managing and vice-versa. Or you work solo and need to learn more about running a library. Or you just need to some creative sparks and would like to learn more about generating new ideas.

We will try our best to match with the best person.
The Pilot Program will run from mid-January to mid-June, 2026.

How do I apply?
The deadline to apply is December 10th, 2025.
Please register here via this Google Form:
https://forms.gle/VoDJmHBYTpP7JmS59

An information session for those interested but who might have questions was held and recorded on November 19th, 2025.  If you have questions and are interested in the recording, please email: Elise.A@mla.mb.ca  for the Zoom link.