Happy New Year from the Library of Michigan!
The Library of Michigan's staff wishes you all the best in the New Year! As we finish up 2022, we still have a few holiday closures to work around. The Library of Michigan will be closed from Thursday, December 29 at NOON through Monday, January 2 for the New Year's Holiday.
We will return to our normal schedule starting on Tuesday, January 3:
Monday through Friday 10AM - 5PM
Saturdays 10AM - 4PM
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2022 in Review at the Library of Michigan
As we soon transition from 2022 to 2023, it’s important to reflect back on the last 12 months of activities for the Library of Michigan’s Special Collections staff. 2022 brought a wide range of “New” throughout the year. Three new faces joined the Special Collections ranks in the form of Library Technician Betsy Bacon, Law Reference Librarian Eric Kennedy, and Digitization Librarian Jennifer Sasota. The Library of Michigan’s website went through a complete refresh as part of a multiyear statewide website content management replacement project to update and replace over 110 State of Michigan executive branch websites. Adam Oster and Jennifer Sasota worked with Library Development’s Becky Wartella to transition the Library of Michigan’s website through this process. Two new study rooms are now available in the Law Library for small-group meetings or individual study. Additional online resources continue to be added to our remotely accessible database collection. ReadMichigan.org’s collection of Michigan publications has expanded with more titles. Furniture original to when the Library of Michigan first opened in 1988 has been replaced with updated pieces that both meet modern needs as well as stay true to the original style and feel of the facility. Finally, the Library updated its catalog system, which staff continue to refine and improve.
Special Collections staff have equally balanced the “New” with keeping up valuable, longstanding services and traditions. The 2022 Night for Notables event was the largest celebration of Michigan Notable Authors in recent memory. 3 years of Michigan Notable Books authors (2020, 2021, and 2022) where honored during the Night for Notables event on April 30, 2022, which featured musician, activist, and 2019 Michigan Notable Books honoree Wayne Kramer as the keynote speaker. The Library of Michigan has proudly taken on the administration of the Michigan Author Award. Historian Larry Massie was honored at the beginning of 2022 as the 2021 Michigan Author Award recipient. Furthermore, Library of Michigan perseveres in celebrating and promoting literacy as the home to the Michigan Center for the Book.
Engagement with our patrons occurred in a wide variety of ways in 2022. Staff served the residents of Michigan through virtual/in-person programs, tours, providing speakers for organizations, and assisting Michigan libraries/historical organizations in evaluating their local history collections. Special Collections explored new opportunities to partner with sister divisions within the Michigan Department of Education to promote literacy, reading, and research skills. Staff also worked to promote the Library of Michigan’s collections and services to State of Michigan employees throughout the Lansing Capitol Complex and to the outstate facilities across all of Michigan. Many activities from 2022 will serve as a building block for future patron engagement in 2023.
A key partnership in 2022 has been collaborating with our good friends at the Michigan State Capitol to develop a joint exhibit honoring former State Librarian Harriet Tenney. Partnerships are invaluable and Special Collections looks forward to expanded cooperation with the Michigan State Capitol staff as well as with other organizations such as the Historical Society of Michigan, Historical Society of Greater Lansing, and many more. It is equally vital in enlisting the assistance of our patrons in tracking down rare and unique items to add to the Library’s collections. The #HelpLMFind hashtag campaign has been a fun way to alert patrons of the Library’s needs and it will continue into 2023.
Thank you for joining the 2022 journey with the Special Collections staff of the Library of Michigan! We look forward to all that 2023 has to offer.
 Photos from throughout 2022
First Virtual Program of 2023: Ancestry.com Library Edition
2023 brings another year of Library of Michigan programs that are available for members of the public. A complete list is available on the Library of Michigan's website at Michigan.gov/LMPublicPrograms. All programs will be virtual this year through Zoom and registration is required. Each session will take place on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30PM. The first program will cover how to use the Ancestry.com Library Edition database.
Ancestry.com Library Edition
Thursday, January 5, 2023 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Register For This Program
Ancestry.com Library Edition is a comprehensive family history database with access to a wide range of historical documents, images, and public records. Learn the process of navigating Ancestry.com’s vast collection of records and other strategies as you enhance your family history research skills.
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Special Collections Staff assisting with Local History Collection Evaluations
One of the services offered by Library of Michigan Special Collections staff is assisting libraries, historical organizations, and family history societies in evaluating their local history collections. Special Collections staff will make onsite visits to provide a wide range of guidance as organizations tailor their collections to best fit their mission and community. Topics discussed often include determining the scope of the collection, developing collection development policies, identifying programming and promotion opportunities, and other relevant procedure considerations.
Recently Reference Librarian Matt Pacer and Michigan Documents Librarian Bernie Bartlett made visits to Herrick District Library in Holland and Flat River Community Library in Greenville. Both libraries are evaluating their local history collections and had really productive conversations during the visits. Any library or organization looking for a Local History Collections evaluation visit can schedule one by emailing Librarian@Michigan.gov or calling 517-335-1477. Be sure to also check out the Local Materials Collection Guide that is on the Library of Michigan's website, which provides a basic framework for developing, maintaining and promoting a local materials collection.
 Michigan Documents Librarian Bernie Bartlett with Flat River Community Library's Technical Services Librarian Tim West in Flat River's Local History Room
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