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One of the Library of Michigan's long-standing patrons of our Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped celebrated a milestone with the staff last month. Arlene Moog of Holt brought a book-shaped cake to share with our SBPH staff to celebrate checking out her 1,000th book from our collections.
Congratulations to Mrs. Moog and also to LM's SBPH Manager Sue Chinault and her dedicated staff who have clearly provided Mrs. Moog and all of our other SBPH patrons with service excellent enough to warrant a group celebration!
The cake actually looked too pretty to eat, but I'm fairly sure everyone got bravely past that and enjoyed every bite!
It's exciting to realize that the avenues for cultivating new relationships are never ending.
In preparation for speaking last Thursday afternoon at the annual conference of the Michigan Health Sciences Libraries Association (MHSLA), I took the opportunity to learn something more about what the Association is all about and what types of librarians and other folks it serves. I found that MHSLA is there for just about anyone interested in health sciences information, from health professionals to public librarians, from library support staff to students. It's there for advocacy for its members and members' libraries; it's there to help patients as well as the medical professionals who treat them. Librarianship is a service profession, and the members of the MHSLA are the ultimate service professionals! As I said when I spoke to the group the other day, I look forward to hearing from those of you involved in MHSLA about how you think we can work together more closely in the future for a positive impact on you, your libraries, and your patrons.
The reception held at the Southfield Public Library on the Tuesday evening of the MLA Annual Conference in Detroit last week was my first look at that amazing building and all of the amazing collections, services, and offerings held within that space. Unfortunately, even though my camera was right there in my purse, I guess I was so taken with the grandeur of the space and all there was to look at and take in, I totally forgot to snap a picture. I was also quite busy enjoying my hot dog and chips and my cream-puff and ice cream, getting myself into baseball game mode and revving up for watching the Tigers win that night.
If you haven't seen the library yourself, take a look at their Web site to get a hint of what's there at the Southfield Public Library, but you really have to see it and experience it for yourself, just like the community members who use the library. The place was packed at 7:30 in the evening!
The following evening we all got to experience the People Mover as we traveled the short distance from the Ren Center to the Skillman Branch of the Detroit Public Library. The building has been beautifully renovated and the party was fantastic, including a jazz band, great food, and a huge crowd that didn't leave until they flickered the lights to get people to realize the party was actually over.
I enjoyed the opportunity to meet several of DPL Director Nancy Skowronski's staff. Shown here are from left to right are: Tracey Wyatt (DPL marketing); Stacey Brooks (of the DPL Skillman Branch); LM's Director of Statewide Services, Sheryl Mase; and Darlean Bridges of DPL Hubbard Branch.
And I got a chance to chat with many other Michigan librarians who were among the hundreds in attendance that evening. Here's a shot of Flint Public's Jo Anne Mondowney and the Royal Oak's Metta Lansdale with me on the stairs as we ran into one another as we moved between floors of the building.
Everyone truly enjoyed themselves on those evenings between the daily sessions that mean so much to everyone every year at the annual MLA Conference.
Bright and early on the last Wednesday of September, Hiawathaland Library Cooperative Director (and Bayliss Public Library Director) Ken Miller picked me up at my hotel in St. Ignace. The first stop on our day-long tour was Les Cheneaux Community Library in Cedarville. It was gray, cold, and rainy, outside, and entering the beautiful new library there -- with its fireplace, warm decor, and amazing children's area floor-to-ceiling wall mural -- was like coming home. The Friends raised all of the funds for the building of the library, and they continue to own and run the building. Their administrative services are provided as a contract branch of the Bayliss Public Library in Sault Ste. Marie. It's an interesting arrangement that works very well for this library and community. Branch manager Lisa Pelkey loves working there, and the Friends (including Betty, their current vice president) think Lisa is a great asset for their library as well. 
Back out into the rain, Ken drove us to DeTour to visit the DeTour School Public Library. With a recent expansion they have more than doubled their original space. Director Carole Hiney, shown here with Ken, me, and her clerk Linda Adams, provides a very well-meshed mix of school and public library service. The public are welcome there during any hours the library is open, and theirs is an active friends group, a couple of whom were there the day we visited, busily working on some books that needed minor repair or shelf preparation. 
The next step in my adventure was a drive onto the Drummond Island Ferry. It's a short two minute ride, but it's great fun! Another branch of Bayliss P.L., Drummond Island Library is managed with care and enthusiasm by Joy Cameron. Her patrons are so loyal and appreciative that they have helped build shelving and special desk set-ups. Joy's focus on her patrons' needs is evidenced by her growing and well-used collection of audiobooks, and by her always available basket of dimestore reading glasses, for use by patrons who have forgotten to bring there own! Additionally, Joy bakes a lovely apple crisp which Ken and I took with us as we departed. 
After being ferried back to the mainland, Ken and I drove up to Sault Ste. Marie to see his own place of business, the Bayliss Public Library. Ken has augmented the library's outreach to the community in significant ways. His staff is in the midst of getting a teen group organized and active and their new and improved Web site includes a link to Publisher's Weekly book reviews. The library is also home to the Steere Room Collection of Michigan-related materials, focusing primarily on Chippewa, Mackinac, and Luce Counties.
After a quick lunch on the run, we headed off towards Brimley and the Bay Mills Community College Library and Heritage Center. Unfortunately, Director Richard Elder was out of town that day, but Patti Teeple welcomed us and gave us the grand tour. The library space on the main floor was filled with patrons, and the lower level houses a brand new and quite extensive educational resources collection. The upper level is a wonderful museum with exhibits of beautiful Native American arts and crafts.
After a quick stop to take a picture of the Point Iroquois Lighthouse, Ken and I made our way to the town of Paradise, driving all the while through the rain down roads lined with colorful autumn leaves. At the Whitefish Township Community Library we were greeted by librarian Cindy Bulmer and several of her board members and some delicious cider! The building is small but it's packed with materials and has a compact but welcoming children's corner. The population they serve is only a little over 500 people, but their programs are extremely popular and draw an average of over 30 attendees each.
It was getting late in the day but we had one more stop to make in Moran. Bernice Peterson, who manages the Brevort Township Library, another branch of Bayliss Public Library, came in during closed hours especially to greet us and show us around. The old building is a challenge for Bernice, but she is dedicated to serving her community's needs. The "star books" program she has instituted is a wonderful example of her success. She has a special little collection of children's books that are available for check-out by children who come in but don't have a library card. Bernice does not want any community child to feel excluded or have to leave the library empty handed. 
At the end of a long but rewarding day, we returned to St. Ignace, and after a brief rest period of sorts, Ken and I and other UPRLC members attended a lovely evening reception at the St. Ignace Public Library. I had been there for the grand opening, and it was fun to return and see Cindy Patten and her facility and collections again. What a beautiful building and, as you can see, it's also placed in a very pretty setting. The reception was an enjoyable end to a wonderful three-day tour for me. The next day, I spoke during the UPRLC annual meeting luncheon, and then I headed back across the bridge for home.
This past Saturday, October 14th, I joined LM's Head of Special Collections and LM Foundation Director Judith Moore, in honoring this year's recipient of the annual Genealogy Appreciation Award. This year's winner is Peggy Sawyer Williams who served as president of the Detroit area's Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society from 1999 through 2006. The Society is one of the oldest African American genealogical societies in the country.
The Library of Michigan has sponsored the award during Family History Month since 2001. Randy noted in his remarks, and Ms. Williams also noted in hers, that one of her greatest pleasures is working with and encouraging beginning genealogists. Her warmth and openness are apparent even upon first meeting, and if and when I get started on my own genealogy path, I would love to have Peggy as my first guide. Congratulations, Peggy!
One of the privileges I enjoy most about being state librarian is the opportunity to award the State Librarian's Excellence Award and the two Citations of Excellence that are also part of that program. These awards are generously funded by the Library of Michigan Foundation and our corporate sponsors, Hantz Group and Edward Surovell Realtors.
This year at MLA's conference we awarded the $5,000 prize and beautiful trophy to the Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled. I was excited to learn that the staff of that marvelous operation were so thrilled to be recognized for their many innovative services and unprecedented outreach programs that nearly a dozen of them made the effort to attend Thursday's luncheon! They are all pictured here, including LBPD Coordinator Margaret Wolfe (5th from the right) and WCL Director Mary Udoji (on the right), along with me, Judith Moore of the LM Foundation (3rd from right), and Beth Riley of Hantz Group (2nd from right). Ed Surovell was sorry not to be able to attend but was pleased to hear all about it later.
One of the Citations of Excellence and a check for $1,000 went to Spring Lake District Library. Director Claire Sheridan and those who came with her from SLDL to receive the award are shown here, again with me, Judith, and Beth. Their collaboration and partnerships with their community and neighboring institutions are quite numerous and exemplary. They include a partnership with the North Ottawa Council on Aging to give seniors assistance in signing up for Medicare Part D and several collaborations with Loutit District Library in neighboring Grand Haven.
The other Citation of Excellence and check for $1,000 went to White Pigeon Township Library, which serves a fairly small community with significant budget challenges. This library manages to provide wonderful programming, including two new events this past year at which community children could come to the library to select Mother's Day and/or Father's Day gifts at no cost. These were donated by community members and were wrapped by member of the Friends of the Library and the local high school National Honor Society members. Director Perri Saunders and those who traveled with her to the awards luncheon were all moved by their selection for the Citation.
Congratulations to all three libraries, their administrators, staff, boards, friends, and communities! For more information on the award and details about the accomplishments of the three winners, see the Library of Michigan's press release on the 2006 State Librarian's Excellence Award.
The last week of September was the occasion of my first extended visit to the Upper Peninsula. It was great to experience the beauty, the space, and the openness of the area which I had never really seen before. It was really something to see three Great Lakes in one single day!
It was also high color season, and the weather cooperated for most of the days I was up there.
Monday morning I drove from Jackson to Manistique where I was met by Superiorland Library Cooperative Director, Suzanne Dees.
Our first library stop was at the Manistique School & Public Library. It was the first time I had seen a School/Public, and I think I got started with a good one! Director Mary Hook capably runs both aspects of the library, and while there are more things to highlight than I have time or space for, the thing that caught my attention most is the huge circulating collection of cake pans!
You can see Mary and me here, with the Barney cake pan and the rest of the collection in the cupboards behind us. Unusual, yes, but apparently that singular collection gets a lot of use by the community, and that's what it's all about!
From Manistique, Suzanne drove me up through a trail of fall-colored trees to Munising. There we visited the Munising School & Public, headed up by Charlotte Dugas. Bettina Graber continues to be involved there, and it was fun to see her again, as she had been a member of the Library of Michigan Board of Trustees and one of our firm supporters for some time. Also pictured here with Bettina, Char, and me, is their board member, Jan Malone. Behind and above us you can see some of the local children's artwork that is displayed there annually. It's fantastic and also gets the community into the library.
Next morning, Suzanne picked me up from my Marquette hotel room, and we visited the Peter White Public Library. What a wonderful, and large building. It holds a well-used business center, has an arts and cultural center in the lower level that is rented by the city, and has a generous music endowment that sustains music collections and programming. Director Pam Christensen is in the process of getting a Foundation Center Collection established at Peter White as well.
On our way out of Marquette, Suzanne took me by the Superiorland offices where I met the staff members who were there that morning. They have a small but well-organized and fully utilized space that also houses the LBPH collection for the area. The staff was quite immersed in their work, but I dragged them out into the sunshine for a photo in front of their building.
Next stop was Iron Mountain. There we were greeted with welcome refreshments by Beth Walden Baker and her staff at the Dickinson County Library. The library has a bathtub in the rather large children's area, a pretty garden patio area, and the second floor offices have windows so they overlook the entire expanse of the main reading and collection room.On our way south, we stopped at the Solomonson Branch in Norway as well. It has been recently remodeled and is a bright and open space for that small branch.
As we went from Norway to Stephenson, we passed through Vulcan, where we saw a huge cement bear sculpture. We just had to get pictures of ourselves with it. Too bad there wasn't someone available to take us together, but we took turns shooting one another. What fun!
At Stephenson, Pat Cheski and her staff showed us the inside of the Menominee County Library, and in the garage I got my first bookmobile experience. They do summer reading sessions from it, among other things. The library houses an expansive large print collection and a very nice meeting room.
By the time we arrived in Menominee itself, it was definitely lunch time, so we met Spies Public Library director, Cheryl Hoffman, at a lakeside restaurant with a view. Then we proceeded to the Spies Public Library where Cheryl gave us the grand tour of their lovely renovated building. Here is a picture of Cheryl and me in the very pretty children's garden. One kind of unusual thing I noted in their children's section indoors was their crafts-making area that includes facilities like sinks and extended workspace for clean up, mixing, and craft creation by the kids. I'm sure others have this, but I have not run across it before.
And last, but certainly not least, we stopped at the Escanaba Public Library where their new director, Carolyn Stacey, has come home from a stint in Colorado to take the reigns. She showed us all around their very welcoming space. Suzanne made a point of showing me the special lighting they had installed in the stacks that allows the patrons a better view of the labels and titles on the books' spines. It is set high up but tilted on an angle so the light is thrown onto the materials in a very convenient fashion. Probably not what I'd want on rare materials, but for circulating collections, it's just the thing!
From Escanaba, Suzanne drove me back to my car safely parked in the parking lot at the Manistique school where I had left it the day before, and I drove back east on Route 2 to get to my hotel in St. Ignace for the night. I needed the chance to rest up before Ken Miller would arrive to collect me for my next day of touring in the morning. I had so enjoyed my first day and a half, though, that in spite of being relatively exhausted, I was looking forward to more!
Hi everyone! It's getting harder and harder for me to keep up with myself and my own travels, but I'm working on it.
Here is a shot of me with Christie a week ago at the COSLA (Chief Officers of State Library Agencies) meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas. Not only did I get to visit our older son and his wife Jenny and her parents (that was convenient and fun!) but I got a chance to catch up with Christie.
We both agree that getting out to see libraries is what keeps us most enthusiastic and centered. She seemed great and sent her regards to one and all.
Once I get some more time to do so, I'll be catching you up on my U.P. travels with Suzanne Dees and Ken Miller a few weeks ago, and with my visit this past Saturday to the new and beautiful Charlevoix library. Until then ... Now I'm off to MLA!
Congratulations to Mrs. Moog and also to LM's SBPH Manager Sue Chinault and her dedicated staff who have clearly provided Mrs. Moog and all of our other SBPH patrons with service excellent enough to warrant a group celebration!
