News from Nancy By Acting State Librarian Nancy Robertson

Acting State Librarian Nancy Robertson

It only happens every other year, but what a wonderful and inspiring event the Rural Libraries Conference is for our librarians from our small and rural libraries! I was so glad to have the opportunity to travel up to the Harbor Springs area to give the opening remarks for this year's conference. The crowd there was enthusiastic and welcoming, and the excitement generated by the sharing of your first-rate ideas was truly something at which to marvel.

Back here in Lansing, Library of Michigan Foundation Executive Director Judith Moore and Library of Michigan staff members are still feeling the good vibes over the second annual "Night for Notables" fund-raiser and our annual Library of Michigan authors' day - both a success on many levels. We're all looking back on the experience with great fondness and satisfaction.

The 2005 Michigan Notable Books authors all voiced great pleasure at having their work selected for inclusion on this year's list, and those who were able to attend the evening event to honor them said it was an enjoyable tribute. I know - as a self-confessed book addict myself - that the guests had a great time meeting the authors and getting a chance to hear their own thoughts about the books and the writing life.

Michigan Notable Books honoree (for her novel "The Tarnished Eye") Judith Guest was an engaging keynote speaker, whose words capped off a stellar evening. Many of the Michigan Notable Books authors will soon be on the road to 36 Michigan libraries during the course of the next several weeks, thanks to grants provided by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Humanities Council and the Michigan Center for the Book. This neat program is now in its third and brightest year, and we are already making plans to ensure an even stronger, more inviting Notables program for 2006.

For those of you who want to add some arts and cultural flair to your literary programs, be sure to check out the article on the just-announced Arts and Libraries Community Literary Partnership Program, which will provide funding from $2,500 to $5,000 for libraries' community-based literary programs. The deadline is short, but this opportunity is too good to miss!

Finally, Michigan Week is just around the corner, May 21-27. If your library is planning programming or displays around this year's theme, "Michigan on the Move," there are a variety of tools on the Web to assist you. Visit the Michigan Week Web site for more information, fun facts, downloadable posters and logos and more, at www.michigan.gov/michiganweek.

Those are just a few of the many exciting things taking place at the Library of Michigan and provided for Michigan's libraries and their patrons. We look forward to the Beginning Workshop, the Summer Reading Program, and much more in the coming months. Enjoy!

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Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Michigan Humanities Council and Library of Michigan Announce Grant Program for Libraries

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Humanities Council and the Library of Michigan recently announced a new grant opportunity for the state's libraries. The Arts and Libraries Community Literary Partnership Program will provide funding to libraries across the state for projects that infuse new arts and cultural resources into community-based literary programs that address literacy, celebrate the state's literary and cultural legacy, and foster the joy of reading.

"We're excited to make this grant opportunity available to Michigan libraries," said Janice Fedewa, executive director of the Michigan Humanities Council. "Literacy is such a fundamental part of living an engaged, fulfilling life. Using the many creative teaching tools afforded by arts and culture is a powerful way to engage readers of all ages."

Administered by the Michigan Humanities Council, grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 will be awarded through a competitive grant process. The program is being funded in part through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Challenge America Program and complements the NEA's Reading in America Program. Supported projects may include poetry readings or concert series based on "community reads" themes, or the addition of an arts and culture festival tied to story-hour themes.

"Libraries, like many arts and cultural institutions, have struggled for years with the need for adequate funding," said Dr. William Anderson, director of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries, which oversees the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. "This grant program can help enhance critical programming that will positively impact many Michiganians."

"We believe arts and culture are vital resources for personal and community development," said Betty Boone, executive director of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. "By joining with our cultural partners in this critical endeavor, we are helping to create new enrichment and growth opportunities for our citizens and communities across the state."

To qualify, an applying organization must be recognized as a library by the Library of Michigan. Funded projects must be completed between June 13, 2005 and Sept. 30, 2005. Applications must be postmarked no later than June 3, 2005 and late applications will not be accepted. Grant recipients will be notified on or after June 13, 2005. Full grant application guidelines are available at http://www.michiganhumanities.org/grants/literary05.htm.

Applications should be sent to:

Arts and Libraries Community Literary Partnership Program
c/o Michigan Humanities Council
119 Pere Marquette Drive, Suite 3B
Lansing, MI 48912-1270

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Michigan Public Library Supporters Purchase Over 1,400 Fund-Raising Tickets for May 15 Detroit Tigers Game

More than 1,400 tickets were purchased at libraries for the May 15 Detroit Tigers vs. Anaheim Angels game, a fund-raising effort which is part of the "Ernie and Tram Go to Bat for Michigan Public Libraries" campaign. Of the tickets purchased, 91 were donated to underprivileged children in the Detroit are who might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend a professional baseball game.

The Detroit Tigers will donate back to the Library of Michigan Foundation $10 of every $20 upper-deck box seat ticket sold at a Michigan public library. The proceeds will be used to create or expand existing library endowment funds.

Department of History, Arts and Libraries Director William Anderson said that library co-operative directors around the state - who spearheaded the sales effort - have reported high enthusiasm and community and media support for this creative fund-raiser. "People love baseball and they certainly love their libraries," said Anderson. "We are grateful to the Tigers, Ernie Harwell and Alan Trammell for giving us this tremendous opportunity to raise funds as well as awareness about the ongoing financial struggle faced by Michigan's libraries."

Acting State Librarian Nancy Robertson said, too, that support came from areas well outside of metro Detroit. "We know of at least five scheduled bus trips to bring library and Tigers fans to Comerica Park on May 15, including one from the Upper Peninsula," she said. "When it comes to grassroots efforts, no one can top Michigan's library community. Our library co-operatives have worked hard to get the word out locally to their residents, patrons and businesses about this very public opportunity to stand up and support Michigan libraries."

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LM Staff Member Receives Professional Service Award from Wayne State's Library and Information Science Program

Congratulations to Carole C. Callard, genealogy specialist at the Library of Michigan and Abrams Foundation genealogy chair, who will receive recognition in June as a winner of the 2004/05 Professional Service Award from the Library and Information Science Program at Wayne State University.

This prestigious Professional Service Award acknowledges Wayne State alumni and other individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to the Michigan library community during their careers. It recognizes individuals who, for example, have been leaders in state, regional, and/or national professional associations, and/or have held leadership roles in activities related to their positions. Recipients are selected by a committee comprised of faculty, staff and students. The awards are announced at an annual recognition reception.

Callard serves as an adjunct professor at Wayne State and teaches a genealogy class she designed for the Library and Information Science Program.

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Upcoming Continuing Education Opportunities from the Library of Michigan

Beginning Workshop 2005
Registration is now open for Beginning Workshop (BW)!

BW will be held June 6-8, 2005, at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey. New for 2005, the workshop will feature both self-directed study prior to the workshop and three days of face-to-face sessions in Petoskey. Participants who complete the workshop will receive 3.2 CEUs and will be eligible for the Initial Certificate of Library Experience (Level VII).

The 2005 workshop, redesigned with a focus on the QSAC Essential measures, introduces participants to the basic components of public library work. The workshop is open to all, with priority given to attendees who need to earn the Level VII certificate for state aid eligibility.

Full details, including registration information, are available at www.michigan.gov/lma.

Looking Ahead...

Trustee Basic Training - The Library of Michigan and the Michigan Library Association are partnering to offer trustee training (various dates/locations around the state) in 2005. See http://www.mla.lib.mi.us/development.htm for details as they become available.

Mahoney Children's Workshops - This premiere event is back for 2005 and better than ever! The August workshops will focus on services to children from special populations. Date TBA.

Workshop for New Directors and Their Trustees - November 2005. Come meet the Library of Michigan Library Development and Data Services staff and learn about the services available to your library. Date TBA.

Don't forget to check the Statewide Workshops and Events Calendar, your one-stop source for workshops, training events, conferences and other library-land happenings!

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Governor Granholm Proclaims Michigan Week May 21-27, 2005

Inviting Michiganians to celebrate everything that distinguishes Michigan as one of the best places to live, work and raise a family, Governor Jennifer Granholm today recently declared May 21-27 as Michigan Week 2005. Under the theme "Great Lakes, Great Traditions: Michigan on the Move," this year's celebration will focus on the spirit of innovation and progress that has always characterized Michigan and its citizens.

Two new programs this year will help spread the Michigan Week spirit around the state. The Michigan Week Great Traditions Culture Tour, a pilot program supported by a Michigan Humanities Council grant, takes talented singers and musicians on the road to perform in cities that have invested time and energy into their Michigan Week celebrations.

Also this year, through a Michigan Humanities Council grant, the Library of Michigan Foundation has made it possible for authors of Michigan Notable Books and other Michigan authors to take their stories to libraries throughout the state for public readings and book-signings. The annual Michigan Notable Books list offers up 20 of the previous year's best, most compelling works of fiction and non-fiction either written by a Michigan author or set in Michigan.

Libraries are very often the hub of their communities. Michigan Week is a great time to showcase your library's special programming, collections and ties to the community. For "how to celebrate" ideas, downloadable toolkit items (including logos and posters), the governor's proclamation, a statewide event listing and more, visit www.michigan.gov/michiganweek.

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'Michigan Notable Books' Authors Share Their Stories on the Road at Dozens of Libraries Statewide

As part of its Michigan Notable Books program - designed to promote reading and raise awareness of Michigan's strong literary heritage - the Library of Michigan has introduced a new component this year called "On the Move with Michigan Notables." This tour will bring many of the 2005 Michigan Notable Book authors into 36 libraries statewide to talk about their books, answer questions about their work, and sign copies of their books. The authors' presentations, free and open to the public, are scheduled during Michigan Week (May 21-27 - "Great Lakes, Great Traditions: Michigan on the Move") and other dates in May and June.

"On the Move with Michigan Notables" is made possible by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The schedule of tour stops follows, listed alphabetically by author name:

Richard Bak - "A Distant Thunder: Michigan in the Civil War"
May 26, 7 p.m. - Wayne Public Library in Wayne
June 27, 6:30 p.m. - Grant Area District Library in Grant
June 29, 7 p.m. - Public Libraries of Saginaw / Zauel Branch in Saginaw
June 30, 2 p.m. - Oscoda County Library in Mio

Marcia Fountain-Blacklidge - "The Indians of Hungry Hollow"
May 21, 11 a.m. - Belding Memorial Library in Belding
May 24, 6:30 p.m. - Albion Public Library in Albion
May 26, 5 p.m. - White Pigeon Township Library in White Pigeon
June 21, 7 p.m. - Hart Area Public Library in Hart

Broadside Press (various authors) - "A Different Image: The Legacy of Broadside Press, an Anthology"
May 21, 1 p.m. - Jackson District Library / Eastern Branch in Jackson
May 22, 2 p.m. - Oak Park Public Library in Oak Park
May 24, 7 p.m. - Tecumseh District Library in Tecumseh
May 25, 7 p.m. - Michigan State University Library in East Lansing

Joseph Cabadas - "River Rouge: Ford's Industrial Colossus"
May 24, 5:30 p.m. - Bay County-Auburn Area Library in Auburn
May 25, 7 p.m. - Days Inn Tawas City, presented by Iosco-Arenac District Library
May 27, 7 p.m. - Charles A. Ransom District Library in Plainwell
June 8, 7:30 p.m. - Sterling Heights Public Library in Sterling Heights

George Cantor - "Wire to Wire: Inside the 1984 Detroit Tigers Championship Season"
May 19, 7 p.m. - Orion Township Library in Lake Orion
May 23, 7 p.m. - Herrick District Library in Holland
May 26, 6 p.m. - Cutler Memorial Library in St. Louis
June 15, 7:30 p.m. - Roseville Public Library in Roseville

Dave Dempsey - "On the Brink: The Great Lakes in the 21st Century"
May 21, 10:30 a.m. - West Iron District Library in Iron River
May 23, 7 p.m. - Peter White Public Library in Marquette

Lisa Fine - "The Story of Reo Joe: Work, Kin, and Community in Autotown USA"
May 23, 7 p.m. - Capital Area District Library / Main Branch in Lansing
May 24, 7 p.m. - Briggs Public Library in St. Johns

Patrick Livingston - "Eight Steamboats: Sailing Through the Sixties"
May 17, 7 p.m. - Chesaning Public Library in Chesaning
May 25, 7 p.m. - Whitefish Township Library in Paradise
May 26, 2 p.m. - Curtis Township Library in Curtis
May 27, 7 p.m. - Warren Public Library / Arthur Miller Branch in Warren

Gwen Marston - "Mary Schafer: American Quilt Maker"
May 9, 7 p.m. - Charlevoix Public Library in Charlevoix
May 23, 7 p.m. - Forest Area High School in Fife Lake

Marcia J. Heringa Mason - "Remember the Distance That Divides Us: The Family Letters of Philadelphia Quaker Abolitionist and Michigan Pioneer Elizabeth Margaret Chandler, 1830-1842"
June 1, 7 p.m. - Sanilac District Library in Port Sanilac
June 17, 3 p.m. - Brighton District Library in Brighton

Anne-Marie Oomen - "Pulling Down the Barn: Memories of a Rural Childhood"
June 16, 6:30 p.m. - Kalkaska County Library in Kalkaska
June 17, 7:30 p.m. - Drummond Island Library in Drummond Island
June 18, 2 p.m. - Indian River Area Library in Indian River
June 28, 7 p.m. - Menominee County Library in Stephenson

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Web-Sitings: Michigan Week 2005

To celebrate Michigan Week 2005, May 21-27, learn more about Michigan's history and culture. This year's theme is "Great Lakes, Great Traditions: Michigan on the Move."

50 Essential Michigan History Books: Titles selected by noted historians from around the state.
http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17449_18642-57682--,00.html

Detroit Historical Museums & Society: An interactive time line of Detroit, exhibit highlights and information about upcoming events.
http://www.detroithistorical.org/

The Detroit News Rearview Mirror: Yesterday's news from the paper's archive, including photo galleries and special features.
http://info.detnews.com/history/index.cfm

Henry Ford Museum: Online exhibits, collection highlights and tips for preserving your own historical treasures.
http://www.hfmgv.org/default.asp

H-Michigan Discussion Network: A discussion list on the history of Michigan that features photos, bibliographies and other resources.
http://www.h-net.org/~michigan/

Historical Society of Michigan: Educator resources, links to history Web sites and a calendar of events around the state.
http://www.hsmichigan.org/

The Making of Modern Michigan: Digital state history collection.
http://mmm.lib.msu.edu/

MeL Michigan History: A wide range of links, from museums and libraries to online collections.

Michigan County Histories: Digitized reproductions of Michigan county atlases and histories.
http://www.hti.umich.edu/m/micounty/

Michigan Historical Markers: A survey of designated historic sites in Michigan.
http://www.michmarkers.com/default.htm

Michigan Historical Museum: Online exhibits and information about the museum, which tells the story of Michigan from its first people through the 20th century.
http://www.michigan.gov/museum

Michigan History Magazine: Articles, photos and information about back issues.
http://www.michiganhistorymagazine.com/

Michigan History Pathfinder: Resources for children and people who work with children from the Michigan Teacher Network.
http://michiganteacher.net/pathfinders/michigan_history_pathfinder.html

Museums of the Midwest: Links to museums, zoos and other places to visit in Michigan and elsewhere.
http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17447-54796--,00.html

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Improve Michigan History and Literacy Skills with The Mitten

Learning Michigan's past is fun and exciting with The Mitten activity packs!

Written at a 4th-grade reading level, The Mitten is the perfect tool to improve both Michigan history and literacy skills. Each four-page, full-color issue of The Mitten offers an overview of a single Michigan history topic and related sub-topics. Colorful illustrations, photographs and maps make these publications interesting and easy to understand. On the final page, a crossword puzzle tests the reader's comprehension.

The Mitten is published by Michigan History magazine, a division of the Michigan Historical Center (part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries).

Available individually or as a classroom set, these publications are a great way to bring variety and fun to your Michigan history or literacy programs. Choose from these popular topics:

• African Americans in the Civil War
• Arsenal of Democracy
• Battle of Gettysburg
• Bottle Bill
• Cereal City (Battle Creek)
• Columbian Exposition
• Copper
• The Depression
• Detroit's Walk to Freedom
• Father Jacques Marquette
• The Fur Trade
• George Romney
• Gerald R. Ford
• Hopewell Indians
• Huron Indians
• Mighty Mac (Mackinac Bridge)
• Mackinac, The Gathering Place
• Model T
• Northwest Ordinance of 1787
• Pioneer Life
• René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
• Roosevelt's Tree Army (CCC)
• Soo Locks
• The Three Fires (Native Americans)
• Toledo War
• The Underground Railroad
• The War of 1812
• White Pine Era

For more information, to download a free copy of The Mitten, or to place an order, visit www.michiganhistorymagazine.com/kids or call (800) 366-3703.

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Michigan Firsts

Pick almost any subject and you will find that Michigan was always "leading the way." In honor of Michigan Week, here is a list of just a few of many Michigan "firsts."

1849 - The Michigan State Fair was the first state fair in the United States.

1855 - Michigan State University was founded as the nation's first land-grant university and served as the prototype for 69 land-grant institutions later established under the Morrill Act of 1862. It was the first institution of higher learning in the nation to teach scientific agriculture.

1866 - Vernors ginger ale became the first soda pop made in the United States by James Vernor and Company, Detroit. Mr. Vernor concocted and sold his ginger ale at his drug store.

1872 - Elijah J. McCoy, a black inventor raised in Ypsilanti, patented the first automatic lubrication system for locomotives and other machinery. The device was so effective it was difficult to sell imitations that were not "the real McCoy;" McCoy's name became synonymous with anything genuine or authentic.

1879 - Detroit telephone customers were first in the nation to be assigned phone numbers to facilitate handling calls.

1891 - The world's first international submarine railway tunnel was opened between Port Huron, Michigan and Sarnia, Ontario.

1896 - The nation's first carpet sweeper was invented and patented by Melville R. Bissell of Grand Rapids.

1910 - U.S. Census placed Michigan first in the nation in the manufacture of automobiles.

1913 - The Ford Motor Company introduced the first moving automobile assembly line at Highland Park.

1917 - Michigan was credited with painting the first center line on a state highway-the Marquette to Negaunee Road.

1920 - The first four-way traffic signal with red, green and amber lights appeared in Detroit. Designed by William L. Potts of the Detroit Police Department, the light was placed at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Fort Street.

1920 - GMC became the first company to develop research laboratories under the direction of Charles Kettering.

1920 - WWJ began commercial broadcasting of regular programs. It was the first such radio station in the nation.

1923 - The nation's first intercity superhighway, "an eight-lane divided marvel," was built on an 18-mile stretch of Woodward Avenue between Detroit and Pontiac. It had a 40-foot median for public transit service.

1924 - J. L. Hudson's in Detroit became the first air-conditioned department store.

1927 - The first commercially prepared baby food was invented by Daniel F. Gerber of Fremont.

1928 - The Ford Motor Company was the first auto manufacturer to use safety glass as standard equipment.

1929 - The Michigan State Police established the first state police radio system in the world.

1930 - The one-mile-long Detroit-Windsor Tunnel was the first automobile tunnel built between two nations and cost $23 million to build.

1939 - The Packard Motor Car Company in Detroit manufactured the first air-conditioned car.

1968 - Fisher Body introduced a specially designed child safety seat to protect one- through four-year-olds from interior collision.

1969 - Ford Motor Company introduced rear-wheel, antilock brakes.

1971 - Michigan was the first to complete a border-to-border interstate highway, I-94, that runs 205 miles from Detroit to New Buffalo.

1974 - The first mass produced air bags were provided as a $225 option on some Cadillac and Buick models.

1975 - Michigan became the first state in the nation to combine driver licensing and voter registration as part of the same service, later known nationally as "Motor Voter."

Sources:
Quick Facts About Michigan, Greater Michigan Foundation, 1973.
Main Library Reference Departments, Detroit Public Library, Michigan firsts: some notable achievements from Michigan's first 150 years, a Michigan sesquicentennial publication, Detroit, Mich.: Detroit Public Library, 1987.
Michigan First's http://www.mi-clm.org/michigan/michfirsts.htm
Michigan "Firsts" http://www.otsego.org/factfinders/october2000.htm
Fast Facts and Trivia http://www.50states.com/facts/michigan.htm

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Michigan Center for the Book Among Five State Centers Honored For Innovative Reading Promotion Projects

On May 3, Center for the Book Director John Y. Cole announced that affiliated state centers from Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Texas were the 2005 winners of the Boorstin Award for innovative and creative reading promotion projects. Each of these award-winning efforts, he explained, provides other affiliated state centers and many other organizations with innovative approaches to reading promotion that can be adapted to state or local situations. Each award includes a $1,000 stipend.

Funds to support the awards have been donated to the Center for the Book by Ruth F. Boorstin, wife of the late Librarian of Congress Daniel J. Boorstin, who established the Center for the Book in 1977.

The Michigan Center for the Book was recognized with a Boorstin Award for its development of an innovative statewide affiliate system that has enlisted new partners, provided new income, and greatly increased public awareness of the Michigan center and its activities.

The Michigan Center for the Book is a program of the Library of Michigan and its affiliates. The Library of Michigan provides administrative support for the center as well as funding through in-kind donation of staff time, while affiliates provide programming and funding through annual dues.

In 2004, the first full year with the affiliate structure, the Michigan Center for the Book was able to sponsor activities such as presenting the "Poetry in the Branches" workshop at the Michigan Library Association conference to help libraries bring poetry programming to the public and establishing the Theodore Roethke Literary Landmark in Saginaw to recognize the city's literary heritage and bring educational opportunities to local schools.

So far in 2005, the Michigan Center for the Book has begun a new grant program and has provided funding for seven events, including author visits, "one book, one community" events and book festivals. The center has also provided materials for adults that libraries can use with their summer reading programs, as well as a Web site and forum for planning author visits.

Chartered in 1986 as the Michigan affiliate of the National Center for the Book at the Library of Congress, the Michigan Center for the Book seeks to promote an awareness of books, reading, literacy, authors and Michigan's rich literary heritage. The center sponsors both statewide and local programs. For more information about the Michigan Center for the Book, visit http://www.michigan.gov/mcfb.

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