• Library of Michigan Collection Highlights

	Since 1828, during Michigan's territorial days, the Library of Michigan has served state government and the people of Michigan much as the Library of Congress works at the federal level.
The Library's early task was to collect, compile and store Michigan territorial laws and other important documents that formed the basis for Michigan government today. The library's responsibility has expanded to include a fine collection of Michigan state government publications as well as important journals, books and other materials.

• Library of Michigan's 2008 Michigan Notable Books Capture State's Powerful, Diverse Literary Heritage
Dec. 19, 2007 - The Library of Michigan today announced the 2008 Michigan Notable Books (www.michigan.gov/notablebooks), 20 books highlighting Michigan people, places and events.

• Rawson Memorial District Library in Cass City Wins 2007 State Librarian's Excellence Award for Exceptional, Innovative Service; Bayliss Public Library in Sault Sainte Marie and Peter White Public Library in Marquette Earn Citations of Excellence
Nov. 8, 2007 - State Librarian Nancy Robertson today announced that the Rawson Memorial District Library in Cass City is the recipient of the 2007 State Librarian's Excellence Award for exemplary public service. The Library of Michigan Foundation annually gives this prestigious honor, which includes a trophy and $5,000 in privately raised funds to be used for library service, to one Michigan library. The Bayliss Public Library in Sault Sainte Marie and Peter White Public Library in Marquette each received a Library of Michigan Foundation Citation of Excellence, including a $1,000 prize and a trophy.

• Michigan Center for the Book Awards $1,771 for Literary Programming in Grand Haven, Harrisville, Ironwood, Royal Oak and Walloon Lake
July 27, 2007 - The Michigan Center for the Book has announced the grant recipients for its second granting period of 2007. Libraries in Grand Haven, Harrisville, Ironwood, Royal Oak and Walloon Lake have each received MCFB grants to support a variety of programming, including author visits, one-book events and book festivals.

• 'Michigan Notable Books' Authors Visit 67 Libraries Statewide to Share Their Distinctively Michigan Stories
March 20, 2007 - The Library of Michigan today announced the 67-stop schedule for the 2007 Michigan Notable Books author tour, a statewide series of free presentations and book signings by 19 of this year's Notable Books authors and illustrators.

• Redesigned Michigan eLibrary Puts Quality Michigan Educators' Resources Into Hands of State's Teachers, 24 Hours a Day
Feb. 28, 2007 - Michigan Educators' Resources (MER) - a collection of preschool-through-12th-grade education-related Web resources that have been carefully evaluated for quality, relevance and effectiveness - are now available through the Michigan eLibrary (MeL, at http://mel.org).

• State Librarian Nancy Robertson's testimony before the Senate appropriations committee on Feb 27, 2007 regarding the 2007-2008 budget 

• American Library Association's Government Documents Round Table Gives 2006 Hoduski Award to Library of Michigan Documents Specialist
April 28, 2006 - The Government Documents Roundtable of the American Library Association recently named Library of Michigan documents specialist Ann Marie Sanders as the recipient of its 2006 Bernadine Abbott Hoduski Founders Award. This award recognizes documents librarians who have made significant contributions to the field of state, international, local or federal documents.

• Governor Granholm Appoints Robertson as State Librarian Nov. 9, 2005

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm announced the appointment of Nancy R. Robertson as State Librarian. Robertson, of Jackson, has been serving as acting state librarian since February of 2005.

• "Ernie and Tram Go to Bat" to Raise $15,000 for Michigan Public Libraries

Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Detroit Tigers owner Ilitch Holdings, Inc., presented Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) Director William Anderson with a check for $15,000 at the Tigers-Angels game on May 15, 2005. As part of the "Ernie and Tram Go to Bat for Michigan Public Libraries" fund-raiser, the Tigers generously donated back to the Library of Michigan Foundation $10 of every $20 ticket sold at a Michigan public library.

• The Library of Michigan: 175 Years of Service
In 2003, the Library of Michigan marked its 175th anniversary.

• The Library of Michigan: Territorial Council Era, 1828 - 1837
Born in 1828, the Library of Michigan celebrates 175 years of vision and dedicated service to the people of Michigan, from its frontier beginnings to the innovations of the 21st Century. From a territorial library system whose patrons were dependent on a horse-drawn wagon to a state library system within reach through cyberspace, this story starts with a collection of 131 books and culminates with the present day collection of over 5 million items.

• Library of Michigan: Statehood to the Civil War
The State Library was born during Michigan's territorial era and started coming of age during the first two decades of statehood. Except for a few scattered cities, Michigan was still a rugged frontier connected by wagon trails, plank roads and stagecoach routes.

• Library of Michigan: The Civil War Era
On January 27, 1859, Jesse Eugene Tenney became Michigan's state librarian. Eighteen months later, Michigan and the rest of the nation were plunged into the Civil War.

• Library of Michigan, 1869 - 1893: Approaching the Twentieth Century
Harriet Tenney, when she accepted an appointment as Michigan's state librarian in 1869, became the first woman to hold this position.

• History of the Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Library service to the blind began on March 3, 1931, as President Herbert Hoover signed into law the Pratt-Smoot Act, which called for $100,000 to be administered by the Library of Congress to provide blind adults with books.

• The Many Homes of the Library of Michigan
Michigan's State Library has experienced a colorful history, with many moves and reorganizations. In 1828, an act was passed to create an official Territorial Council Library, housed with other government offices in the Territorial Courthouse on Griswold Street in Detroit, where they remained until 1847.

• Mary Spencer: The State Library's Progressive Visionary, 1893-1923
The Civil War was a generation away and the progressive movement was taking hold in America. Progressive reformers preached that government was not only government by the people, but for the people. This progressive mantra was becoming a political force and part of the national consciousness. This was the mood and spirit of Michigan as Mary C. Spencer assumed the position of state librarian in 1893.

• Changing the Face of the State Library and Libraries Statewide: Loleta Dawson Fyan, 1941-1961
Loleta Dawson Fyan is likely Michigan's most famous state librarian and carries the distinction of being the first professionally trained librarian appointed to the position.

• Significant Dates in Michigan Library History
Listing of important dates in the history of Michigan Libraries.

• The Evolution of the State Law Library, 1828-2003
The State Law Library's collection dates from 1828, when the Territorial Council Library began purchasing legal materials for the use of the territorial governor and legislators. Located in Detroit, the library owned 131 titles covering state session laws, state reports and other legal documents.

• The State Library Soars Through the '20's to Land Abruptly in the 30's
When most of us think of the years between 1920 and 1940, we think of flappers, speakeasies and perhaps the rise of Hitler in Germany. Fast and dangerous times!

• A Home to Call Our Own: Michigan State Library, 1961 to 1980

• Celebrating the completion and official opening of the new Martha W. Griffiths Michigan Rare Book Room!
Approximately 200 guests, including Lt. Gov. John D. Cherry and other dignitaries, helped commemorate the occasion - more than 10 years in the making - at the inaugural celebration hosted by the Library of Michigan Foundation.