Martha W. Griffiths Michigan Rare Book Room
dedication wall in vestibule entry to the reading room

Bill Anderson,
Director of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries
welcomes the invited guests to the rare book room opening celebration.

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.

State Librarian Christie Brandau and Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry
chat following program remarks during the opening celebration.

Library of Michigan Foundation Chair
Al Zehnder speaking at the inaugural celebration.

Designed and constructed entirely with private funding, the room was named in tribute to Martha W. Griffiths in recognition of her distinguished career and lifelong commitment to libraries.

Photographs and memoriabilia of Martha W. Griffiths
on display during the rare book room opening celebration.

The Library of Michigan's Rare Book collection is comprised of over 17,000 volumes, including printed books, maps, letters, prints and other formats covering subject matter such as natural history, law, angling, travel and exploration, Native Americans and Michigania.

Dept. of History, Arts and Libraries Deputy Director, Mark Hoffman,
Rep. Fran Amos and Rep. John Stakoe view exhibits of some of the
treasures in the Library of Michigan's Rare Book Collection.

Guests tour the new rare book reading room.

The new reading room and state-of-the art storage complex provide the necessary environmental conditions and security for the rare materials to be used by the citizens of Michigan.

Rare Book Room reception Oct. 28, 2003.
Guests enjoying the festivities.

Library of Michigan Celebrates the Opening of Martha W. Griffiths Michigan Rare Book Room Press Release

Rare Books Collection at the Library of Michigan

Rare Books Online Special Exhibits Exhibits include views of the Bower-Averbach Angling collection, Orange Judd Company's Decorated Cloth Bindings, Pre-1850 Children's Books

Rare Book Policy

Updated 11/17/2003