Published by the Library of Michigan Nov./Dec. 2004 Issue Volume XXI NO. 5 ISSN 1051-0818

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AccessccessPortage District Library Wins State Librarian’s ExcellenceAward for First-Rate Public ServiceAnn Arbor District Library and Troy Public Library Earn Citations of Excellence

By Sarah Lapshan, Department of History, Arts and Libraries

The Library of Michigan Foundation recently awarded the2004 State Librarian’s Excellence Award to Portage DistrictLibrary for exemplary public service. This prestigious honor,which gives $5,000 in privately raised funds to one Michiganlibrary annually, was presented Oct. 28 at the State Librarian’sLuncheon during the Michigan Library Association annual con-ference at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City.

The Ann Arbor District Library and the Troy PublicLibrary each received a Library of Michigan FoundationCitation of Excellence.

“Libraries exist to serve the needs and interests of thepeople in their communities. It’s our job and our passion toprovide, for residents of all ages, equitable access to a worldof information and resources,” said State Librarian ChristiePearson Brandau. “The three libraries we’ve selected thisyear as models of excellent customer service are guided bythis credo every day, and we at the Library of Michigan and Library of Michigan Foundation are honored to call themcolleagues.”

“This award really belongs to the Portage community, theboard, the staff, the patrons and all of the agencies with whom wework on so many collaborations,” said Portage District LibraryDirector Christine Berro. “I’m grateful for the award and want tothank everyone who plays a part in making our library as wonder-ful as I think it is.”

According to Berro, her library has undergone an “amazingevolution” into a first-class, high-tech, well-funded and progressiveinstitution, successfully meeting and exceeding the expectations ofits customers. When customer service was challenged by spaceconstraints, the library underwent a renovation and expansion project that tripled space and fully equipped the building to serve the needs of customers well into thefuture. Berro said the library also pursued and achieved independent district library status, making it

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Call forNominations4

LibraryCoops8

Book ArtsExhibit9

Left to right: Elizabeth Rilley of The Hantz Group(award sponsor), State Librarian Christie PearsonBrandau, Library of Michigan Foundation ExecutiveDirector Judith Moore, Troy Public Library DirectorBrian Stoutenburg

Portage District Library staff at the State Librarian’s ExcellenceAward luncheon at the annual Michigan Library Associationconference in Traverse City. Library Director Christine Berrois holding the award.

Left to right: State Librarian Christie Pearson Brandau,Portage District Library Director Christine Berro, andElizabeth Rilley of Southfield, Mich.-based Hantz Group,which sponsored the award through the Library ofMichigan Foundation.

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possible to grow and move in new,progressive directions beneficial tolibrary customers.

For business customers, Berrosaid the library developed a well-organized new “business informationcenter” with readily available business,investment and career materials andonline computer programs all in oneplace for convenient public use.Library customer service has alsobeen enhanced by a number of initia-tives including the Emergent Literacy Program; theOnline Summer Reading Program; the Voyager Programfor “at risk” kids; teen room and teen collection enhance-ments; outreach to schools, daycare centers and thehomebound; and a number of technological upgradesincluding the installation of a mobile computer lab forpublic computer classes, a new library automation sys-tem and upgraded online catalog, new public accesscomputers, and installation of wireless technology forfuture growth.

Criteria for the State Librarian’s Excellence Award –made possible this year through a grant from the HantzGroup – include: demonstrating that the library pro-vides new, innovative and superior services to its cus-tomers in a cost-effective manner, with a can-do attitudeand by always delivering promises; demonstrating thelibrary’s commitment to high standards of customer serv-ice through staff dealings with customers and synergywithin the staff through a coordinated approach to sup-porting customers; and demonstrating that the library isa team player through its collaborations in the community.

This year’s selection committee included StateLibrarian Christie Pearson Brandau; Roger Mendel ofthe Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative; TimRichards of the University of Michigan – Dearborn; andGlen Bachelder, Tom Genson and Fran Pletz, all mem-bers of the Library of Michigan Foundation board.

Hantz Group, Inc., based in Southfield, Mich., is afull-service financial holding company founded inJanuary 1998. For more information, visit www.hantzgroup.com.

NNeewwss ffrroommNNaannccyyBy Nancy R. Robertson, Deputy State Librarian

Thanks to all who took the time to complete the

Michigan Library Special Collections Survey. We had

155 responses. Of the 31 participating academic

libraries, 27 listed special collections holdings; of the

100 public libraries, 94 listed special collections hold-

ings; of the six school libraries, two had special collec-

tions to report; of the 14 special libraries, 12 have spe-

cial collections; and all four who identified themselves

as combined school and public libraries have collec-

tions to report.

Materials included in Michigan’s special collec-

tions provide broad coverage of locale, time periods

and format. As expected, the heaviest concentration of

materials is local or Michigan-related, although region-

ally and nationally significant subject matter was noted

over 80 times. Most materials date from 1900 to the

present, but nearly the same amount also relate to the

19th century or earlier. Text format predominates, but

significant numbers of image collections, multimedia

and even artifacts are noted as well.

Collections cited are of all sizes and cover an

expansive array of topics, including the Thunder Bay

National Marine Sanctuary research collection, Civil

War letters, St. Ignace historical photos, manuscripts

from the West Michigan Conference United

Methodist Church archives, a Michigan VHS collec-

tion and 1930s films by the editor of Outdoor Life

magazine. Who knew our Michigan libraries held such

treasures!

The Michigan Library Digitization Task Force

being formed and chaired by State Librarian Christie

Brandau will have a great deal of useful data to work

with over the coming years as it determines which

special collections are candidates for digitization and

formulates a prioritization schedule for the state.

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Ann Arbor District LibraryDirector Josie Parker

Access Moves toElectronic Format

Due to budget constraints, beginning with theJanuary 2005 issue Access will be published only in elec-tronic format. We will continue to announce the post-ing of new issues of Access on various library mailinglists. The Library of Michigan maintains a subscriptionmailing list devoted solely to Access. Announcements ofnew issues will appear here also. You can register for thislist at:http://lists.dhal.org/mailman/listinfo/lm-access-newsletter Monthly issues will also be announced athttp://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan.

We plan to continue to include in Access a mix ofannouncements and in-depth articles on a wide range oflibrary topics. We welcome topic suggestions, whichmay be sent to Casey Warner atwarnerc1@michigan.gov.

New GrantsAnalyst at the Libraryof Michigan

Kyle Kay Ripley was hired in August as a grantsanalyst for the Library of Michigan. She will help withthe administration of LSTA and other grant programs. Kyle brings 25 years of experience in a variety of posi-tions at the Library of Michigan. She has worked withfederal and state documents, performed copy catalogingand tracked statistics in the Technical Services andPublic Services divisions. While in Public Services for18 years, she staffed the genealogy, circulation and refer-ence desks, and created and presented workshops forpatrons to learn about using library services and materi-als. Kyle was the administrator for the MichiganCemetery Sources and 1870 Michigan Census Websites. You may have seen articles she has written duringher time on the Access newsletter team, particularly the“Web-Sitings” section. Kyle may be contacted at kripley@michigan.gov or (517) 373-1303.

How to Participate inMeLCatBy Louise Bugg, Michigan Library Consortium

Recently your library received a letter from StateLibrarian Christie Brandau inviting you to participate inMeLCat, the new statewide catalog and resource-sharingsystem. The initial MeLCat libraries are being added to

the catalog now, and the first group of libraries will “golive” early in January 2005. New libraries will be addedquarterly. There will be regular announcements of appli-cation deadlines for each quarter. As announced inChristie’s letter, applications for inclusion in theJanuary–March quarter were due the first week inDecember 2004. Libraries to be added will be finalizedthree weeks before each quarter. All Michigan librariesare invited to participate.

You can keep track of the libraries being added ineach quarter at http://michiganelibrary.org.

MeLCat Application ProcessLibraries interested in participating in the MeLCat

statewide catalog and resource-sharing system may applyby taking the following steps. (Note: libraries need tocomplete these steps even if they indicated their interestpreviously in response to the “Mel Catalog ReadinessSurvey, 2003” that was part of the planning process forthe MeLCat project.)

1) Submit a MeLCat participation applicationform (http://www.michiganelibrary.org/catalog/participa-tion.html) and agree to:

• load your bibliographic records and holdingsinto the union catalog;

• share your circulating collections and authorizeyour patrons to make requests;

• abide by MeLCat policies;

• and participate in the statewide delivery service.

2) If your library is a member of a shared libraryautomation system, the shared system will also need tosubmit a MeLCat shared system application formhttp://www.michiganelibrary.org/catalog/participation.htmland agree to:

• provide your bibliographic and holdingsrecords for loading; and

• provide links to your patron records, as neededfor your library to participate in MeLCat.

3) Submit a MeLCat pre-implementation ques-tionnaire. This will be sent to your library after theparticipation application is received, with questionsabout your local automation system and your preferencefor when to implement MeLCat. This information willbe used to schedule your library into a MeLCat imple-mentation group.

4) If your library needs to sign up for delivery, sub-mit a delivery participation agreement(http://www.michiganelibrary.org/delivery/index.html) andthe “Join MeL Delivery” Web form. Libraries areadded to the delivery service monthly. 3

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Technical Details for ParticipationDetails about what it takes to participate in MeLCat

are listed at http://michiganelibrary.org/catalog/techrequire-ments.html.

MelCat uses information from your library’s localILS (integrated library system) to add holdings andpatron information to the statewide union catalog and toretrieve status details. (This system is NOT based onZ39.50).

Meeting with ILS system vendorsIn late September the MeLCat implementation

team hosted an information meeting for ILS system ven-dors. Vendors who have systems currently in use inMichigan libraries were invited. The purpose of thismeeting was to provide detailed information about howMeLCat will function with local systems. As a result ofthis meeting, system vendors should have a better under-standing of these interactions and what functions theirlocal systems will need to provide. At the request of thevendors, MLC has created a discussion list where ven-dors can post questions and see answers so that all ofthem can keep up with MeL interface issues.

The vendors who participated in the vendor briefingon Sept. 29th were Auto-Graphics, Dynix, Endeavor,Follett, GIS Information Systems (via conferencephone), Infovision Software, Innovative Interfaces,NuGen Systems, Sirsi and The Library Corporation(TLC).

Vendors were asked to complete a MeLCat surveyabout their systems prior to the briefing. Additionalvendors who completed the survey but were unable toparticipate in the meeting are Brodart, CASPR LibrarySystems, EOS International, ExLibris, Librarysoft andSagebrush.

If you have any questions about participating inMeLCat, please contact MeLCat staff at the MichiganLibrary Consortium by calling 1-800-530-9019.

Call for Nominations:2005 Rural LibrariesConference AwardsBy Deb Bacon-Ziegler, Continuing Education Coordinator,Library of Michigan

Do you know someone at a rural library who is acollection development guru? How about someone who

goes the extra mile when working with children andteens? Maybe a trustee or Friend who always comesthrough for the library, no matter what? Here’s yourchance to let them shine! Nominate your exceptionallibrary colleagues, trustees and Friends for a Loleta FyanRural Libraries Conference Award.

The nine award categories include:

• Children’s/Teen Award recognizes a librarianfrom a small or rural library who has made sig-nificant contributions to and a positive impacton library service to children and/or teens.

• Public Services Award recognizes a librarianfrom a small or rural library who has developedoutstanding library program or services.

• Technical Services Award recognizes a librarianfrom a small or rural library who has enhancedtechnical services for the library.

• Administration Award recognizes a librarianfrom a small or rural library who has demon-strated management strategies that secureresources for the library.

• Trustee/Friend Award is given to a trustee orFriend of the library for distinguished service torural library development on the local, state,regional or national level.

• Collection Development Award recognizes asmall or rural library/librarian whose collectiondevelopment practices show significant impacton the library and community.

• Technology Award recognizes a librarian whohas made a significant contribution to a smallor rural library by adding, maintaining, and/orproviding training for technology.

• Collaboration & Partnerships Award recognizesa small or rural library/librarian who has devel-oped successful partnerships outside their insti-tution.

• Librarian of the Conference Award recognizes alibrarian who is an outstanding leader in theprofession. The Librarian of the Conference hasinvested him/herself in efforts to affect positivechange in small or rural libraries. This awardgoes to an individual currently employed in aMichigan library.

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Please note that Library Cooperative staff andConference Planning Committee members are not eligible forconference awards.

There are many, many talented staff, trustees, andFriends working in our rural libraries. Recognize themwith a nomination! Please submit nomination forms andsupporting documentation no later than Feb. 4, 2005 to:

Sherry Mountney

Tamarack District Library

407 Lincoln Avenue

P.O. Box 469

Lakeview MI 48850

lvwsm@llcoop.org

The 2005 conference will be held May 2-4, 2005, atthe Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs.Conference booklets and registration information will beavailable in early 2005.

Quality Measures AuditChecklist In ReviewBy Martha McKee, Project Coordinator, Library of MichiganQuality Services

QSAC for Public LibrariesOn July 19, the Library of Michigan went live with

its “essential” level of the Quality Measures AuditChecklist (QSAC) for public libraries. In the threemonths, 12 libraries qualified for essential-level status,including libraries of all sizes and areas of the state. Morethan 45 libraries have indicated they are working on theircertificates.

The listserv for QSAC, qsac-l, is up and runningwith over 100 members. The “enhanced” level went liveon Dec. 1, and the “excellent” level is projected to startup in February 2005. It’s been a two-year process toachieve our goals, and we are gratified by the initial par-ticipation and interest. I want to add a special thank youto the cooperative directors for their continuing support.

QSAC for Library CooperativesThe success of QSAC for public libraries sparked an

interest by library cooperative directors for a similar prod-uct for cooperatives. They requested that the Library ofMichigan sponsor such a project, and the QSAC forCoops Advisory Committee began working early inFebruary 2004.

Following the example of QSAC, the committeedivided cooperative duties into five categories – advocacy,administration, governance, services and technology. Fivesubcommittees, with participation from libraries of alltypes, met and developed quality measures on these sub-jects. They used the same three levels of service used byQSAC – essential, enhanced and excellent – as furtherdivisions of quality.

In September, the Advisory Committee reviewed andedited the subcommittee’s work. In October, the cooper-ative directors reviewed the advisory committee’s recom-mendations. After review by the state librarian, the finalproduct will undergo review by the entire library commu-nity before it is submitted to the Library of MichiganBoard of Trustees for approval.

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By Karren Reish, Michigan Center for the Book Coordinator

On September 29, a Literary Landmark wasdedicated at the Theodore Roethke House inSaginaw. The house – the birthplace and childhoodhome of Roethke – and the surrounding area werean inspiration for Roethke’s poetry. The landmarkrecognizes both the physical place and thecontributions of Theodore Roethke to Michiganliterature and culture.

Theodore Roethke was born in Saginaw in1908 and spent his childhood among his family’sgreenhouses. The growing life of the greenhousesand surrounding nature is seen in the subjects andimagery of his poetry. His first book of poetry,Open House, was published in 1941 to literaryacclaim. He spent much of his life teaching atvarious universities and colleges and continued topublish. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1954 for TheWaking. When he died in 1963, he had influenceda generation of poets and writers through his poetryand teaching.

At the dedication ceremony, special guestsspoke on topics such as the importance ofrecognizing Michigan’s literary heritage, the impactthe Roethke House has on cultural education andthe profound influence Roethke had on their lives.Speakers included Nancy Robertson, Deputy StateLibrarian; Annie Ransford from the Friends of

Theodore Roethke Foundation; Mary EllenRoethke, the poet’s cousin; Al Hellus from theDrainage Basin Artists Alliance; Pat Shek from theTheodore Roethke Memorial Foundation; Ruth

Sawyers from Saginaw Valley State University;and renowned poet W. D. Snodgrass.

The Literary Landmark dedication was part ofa series of activities honoring Roethke’s memoryand influence. A dinner and evening programfeaturing Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.D.Snodgrass and State Senator Mike Goschka washeld at Saginaw Valley State University. TheSaginaw Valley State University Library put on anexhibit of Roethke signed editions on loan from JettWhitehead Rare Books, and the Public Libraries ofSaginaw had a display of Roethke materials fromthe archives at the Hoyt Main Library.

Linda Farynk of the Saginaw Valley StateUniversity Library worked with the Friends ofTheodore Roethke Foundation and many others toarrange the event. Sponsors included the MichiganCenter for the Book (a program of the Library ofMichigan), the Public Libraries of Saginaw and theSaginaw Valley State University Library, among others.

This is Michigan’s third Literary Landmark. The

first was dedicated in 2001 at the University

of Detroit Mercy for poet and publisher Dudley

Randall, and the second in 2002 at the Marquette

County Courthouse for novelist Robert Traver.

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FWhere Are The Recordsof Those Who ServedOur Nation?By Charles Hagler, Reference Librarian, Library of Michigan

To locate an individual’s military record, it isimportant to know when and where that person servedin the armed forces and whether he or she served as an officer or as enlisted personnel. Once you have thatinformation, the types of records you may be able tofind are officer appointments and commissions, musterrolls, payrolls, rosters, correspondence and servicerecords. Also there are battle reports, court-martial casesand desertions records. You may find records of prison-ers of war, casualties and death. Additional records mayinclude medical reports, photographs, pensions, bounty-land grants, bonuses and family assistance, soldiers’homes, burials, censuses of veterans, conscription, warclaims and pardons.

Records prior to the formation of the United Statesreside with the states that formed the original 13colonies and with the British government. Each colonymaintained it own militias, which were usually mannedand equipped by its towns and villages, or even itswealthiest citizens.

Until the 20th century, it was the responsibility ofthe states to raise the manpower necessary for the feder-al government to fight its wars. You should first beginyour search for records at the state depository of mili-tary records, such as a state archives or library (see theLibrary of Michigan and State Archives of MichiganWeb sites at http://michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan orhttp://michigan.gov/statearchives). This is especially true ifyou are researching Confederate veterans or veterans ofthe Revolutionary War. The chief depository of federalrecords is the United States National Archives andRecords Administration (http://www.archives.gov).

Even today the National Guard plays a major rolein the U.S. military, as recent events have shown. TheMichigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs(http://www.michigan.gov/dmva) maintains records forveterans from World War II up to the present day.Many of these records are still covered by privacy laws,and in most cases, you need to establish a date of deathbefore accessing them.

Additional information on veterans may be foundat the military archives of the armed forces, the militaryacademy archives, veterans organizations, AmericanBattle Monuments Commission (http://www.abmc.gov),the Library of Congress, the National Museum ofHealth and Medicine (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/med-

tour/nmhm.html), United States Department of VeteransAffairs, and state departments of military and/or veter-ans affairs.

Another resource is the various societies for sons ordaughters of veterans such as the National Society ofDaughters of the American Revolution(http://www.dar.org/natsociety/default.cfm). There are sim-ilar societies for colonial wars, the War of 1812, theMexican War, the Civil War and the Spanish AmericanWar.

For additional information regarding U.S. militaryrecords you may wish to look at James C. Neagles’ 1994work, U. S. Military Records: A Guide to Federal andState Sources, Colonial America to the Present, consideredto be the best printed guide to military records avail-able.

Web-sitingsBy Kyle Kay Ripley, Library of Michigan

United States VeteransVeterans Benefits Administration, Department ofVeterans Affairshttp://www.vba.va.gov

National Veterans Organization of Americanhttp://www.nvo.org

Official Site of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United Stateshttp://www.vfw.org

VFW National Home for Children (only one in theU.S. in Eaton Rapids, Mich.)http://www.vfwnationalhome.org

Veterans History Project of the Library of Congresshttp://www.loc.gov/folklife/vets

House Committee on Veterans Affairshttp://veterans.house.gov

Sons of Confederate Veterans of the Civil Warhttp://www.scv.org/membership/genealogy.asp

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil Warhttp://suvcw.org/gene.htm

National Archives – Access to Military Service andPension Records\http://www.archives.gov/research_room/obtain_copies/veter-ans_service_records.html

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Local Public LibrariesCooperate with LBPH By Sue Chinault, Services for the Blind and Physically

Handicapped Manager, Library of Michigan

I was the library director of a small, rural publiclibrary in Pennsylvania for over one year before I acci-dentally discovered Libraries for the Blind and PhysicallyHandicapped (LBPH), a federally subsidized Braille andTalking Book program for people who cannot hold abook, turn the pages or read standard print text.Skimming through a dusty binder hidden away in thestaff workroom, I was amazed at what I found –brochures, flyers, bookmarks and applications all point-ing the way to a library service delivered at no chargethrough the mail to people who qualify. I knew thatsome of our most avid readers and longtime patronscould benefit from this service as reading becomes moreof a strain and less of a pleasure with failing eyesight.

As regional librarian for the Library of MichiganLBPH network, I’m pleased that many public librariestoday are willing to provide information and an on-sitedemonstration of materials that could revitalize the liter-ary endeavors of some of their patrons. Cooperatingpublic libraries understand that our patrons are yourpatrons. In a recent survey covering 22 Michigan coun-ties in which over 1,000 registered LBPH patronsresponded, 39 percent said that they had checked outaudio books from their local public library during thepast year. Further, 8 percent checked out large printbooks, 5 percent used computers or adaptive technologyat the public library, 15 percent asked for help with areference question, and 6 percent attended a programsponsored by their local public library.

Nearly 100 public libraries throughout Michiganare currently cooperating with LBPH libraries by servingas a demonstration site. Once a library is formally regis-tered, a specialized cassette player and two or three titleson cassette are shipped with a small supply of promo-tional materials and applications for service. Librarystaff members are prepared to talk about LBPH topatrons in a casual way as the need arises. Outreachlibrarians at the Rochester Hills Public Library cooperatewith the Oakland County Library for the Visually andPhysically Impaired (LVPI) by keeping a supply of appli-cations with them during outreach visits. Rochester Hillsrefers an average of two new patrons per month forTalking Book service.

Ken Miller, director of Bayliss Public Library inSault Ste. Marie, feels strongly about the need for LBPHservice. The Upper Peninsula Library for the Blind and

People with Disabilities (LBPD) is over 130 miles awayin Marquette, so having the equipment to show patronslocally helps. There’s another way in which Bayliss hascooperated. As host to one of several LBPD open hous-es held in public libraries around the U.P. last summer,assistance in filling out voter registration forms wasoffered to those who are blind or physically disabled.Information about absentee ballots and voter assistanceat the polls was also disseminated.

Whether three or 133 miles from the nearestLBPH, public libraries that act as a promotional ordemonstration site are meeting an essential quality meas-ure under the services section of the Quality StandardsAdvisory Committee (QSAC) measures for publiclibraries. This is one measure that any public library canaccomplish. To learn more call 1-800-992-9012 andwe’ll refer you to the LBPH in Michigan serving yourarea.

Michigan’s LibraryCooperatives: The Way toSpell CooperationBy Roger Mendel, Director, Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative

In 1977, the Michigan Legislature passed Public Act89, which increased state aid for public libraries inMichigan. Also included in the act were provisions forthe formation of regional library systems called coopera-tives. Under Public Act 286 of 1965, Michigan hadover 24 library systems serving libraries in all areas of thestate. P.A. 89 eliminated some of the systems, and afterthe first year there were 17 library cooperatives that pro-vided service to all regions of the state. Services in thosedays centered on group purchasing, centralized cata-loging, regional book pools, reference, and interlibraryloan and delivery. Cooperative directors also spentmuch time providing consultant services, especially tothe smaller libraries in each cooperative.

In 2004, there are 12 cooperatives providing servic-es to their memberships. The 1977 law provided thecooperatives with the ability to tailor resource sharingand other services to reflect the needs of the region. Inthe late 1980s and early 1990s, cooperatives in this statetook a lead role in automating Michigan’s libraries. Theretrospective conversion of library holdings to providethe electronic databases needed to utilize new automa-tion systems were spearheaded in most of the state bythe cooperatives with grants from LSCA Title III fundschanneled through the Regions of Cooperation. Grants

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were also written during that time to provide computersfor libraries, Internet connections and Internet traininglabs. During this decade cooperatives played a lead rolein coordinating technology efforts in their areas and inproviding the means to include the medium and smalllibraries in the projects.

As need for affordable control of holdings has con-tinued to grow, a number of cooperatives in urban areashave taken on the role of providing an integrated circula-tion system to benefit their members. Examples of thiscollaboration also exist in rural areas of the state.Northland and the Upper Peninsula (UPRLC) haveassisted in developing circulation systems that poolmoney and resources and provide a level of service notaffordable for the individual library. Some cooperativeshave also banded together to provide their members withincreased access to materials across cooperative borders.Coordinating interlibrary loan and providing the deliverybackbone in each region has allowed for the distributionof materials within the area, and new developments onthe state level now allow for an affordable means of deliv-ery statewide.

The cooperatives have also been the risk-takers indeveloping services around new media and experiment-ing with new technologies. In many areas, the coopera-tives have been the lead agency in developing video, CDor e-book collections. Using cooperative dollars as wellas grant money, the cooperatives have developed servicesutilizing new technologies which, after a period of time,have become standard library services and programs.

The goal of the cooperatives has been to bringlibraries in a region together and to pool their resourcesso that everyone benefits. Throughout the state one canfind stories of how this sharing has benefited not onlythe libraries involved, but more importantly the libraryusers. Cooperative Director Alida Geppert sums up thecooperatives in this way: “From my perspective, eachcooperative has uniquely applied local needs and wantsto increased information, exploration and risk-takingbehavior across the state. Looking back over the years,the growth and equity of services across the state, Ibelieve, is a result of the cooperative activities regionallyand the statewide coordination of efforts locally by coop-erative actions.”

Books Made of KangarooLeather, Bones and Burlap?It’s No Fairy Tale! By Edwina Morgan, Library of Michigan and Sarah Lapshan,Department of History, Arts and Libraries

An exhibit in the Library of Michigan’s Martha W.Griffiths Michigan Rare Book Room shows that there’smore to a good book than just a good story. Often, it’sthe making of the book that is the story, and visitors tothe Library of Michigan’s book arts exhibit afternoonopen house will get to see, touch and learn about anassortment of remarkable, colorful and category-defyingbooks.

This exhibit, which brings the craft of book arts intothe public eye, runs through the end of December. Itshowcases the work of several Michigan book artists andincludes books that have been produced in unique waysusing specialty papers, bindings, inks and other creativemeans.

The exhibit includes the work of Eric Alstrom,Barbara Anderson, Ruth Bardenstein, Jean Buescher,Samantha Cairo, Tatiana Calixto, Kerri Cushman, KevinDriedger, Nedra Frodge, Anne Percy Knott, Leyla Lau-Iamb, Len Muir, Susan Porteous, Christine Reising,Robbyn Smith, Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen, BasilWiering, Madeleine Wiering and Vernon Wiering.

Book artists use the physical form of the book astheir medium. Using a variety of materials and tech-niques, these artists’ creations can range from traditionalhand-bound volumes to designs that stretch the very def-inition of a book.

“The book arts cover a broad range of skills andtechniques including papermaking, printing, binding,design and illustration,” said Kevin Driedger, one of thedisplaying artists. “With a little creativity and instruc-tion, people of all ages can take part in this expressiveand very accessible art form.”

Along with the artists’ books, the exhibit includesseveral items fro the Library of Michigan’s collectionpublished by Michigan printers such as Adagio Press,Crankbook Press, the press of Paul Hayden Duensing,the Alternative Press and Gwen Frostic.

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Happy Holidays from the

Library of Michigan Staff!

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donated the sculpture, located on the east side of theMain Library, early this past summer.

The Ryerson Library Foundation is the GRPL’sfund-raising and advocacy group.

Mount Clemens Public Library CelebratesRenovation

Mount Clemens Public Library (MCPL) celebrat-ed its newly completed interior renovation with anopen house on Oct. 17. More than 200 citizensattended the event, during which former CongressmanDavid Bonior spoke passionately about the importanceof public libraries.

MCPL’s facility was built in 1969 and had neverreceived any updates until the spring of 2004, when a$775,000 interior renovation was undertaken to mod-ernize most of the first floor of the building. Theentire project was funded without the burden of abond issue or tax increase for residents of the librarydistrict. The new design, created by David Millingand Associates/Architects of Ann Arbor, includes amore open floor plan, lower shelving, greater capacityfor technology and a unified public service desk.

New Coloma PublicLibrary

Coloma Public Libraryrecently held a dedication andribbon-cutting ceremony forthe unveiling of its new18,340-square-foot facility.After a successful three-year

capital campaign and the passageof a $3 million bond issue, the library finally moved into anew building located at the south end of downtownColoma.

When the library opened, the public was able to see theinnovative design elements of Alyce Riemenschneider of theAnn Arbor firm Riemenschneider Design Associates. Awater fountain flowing from under the card catalog at theentrance of the library encourages patrons to follow the“Paw Paw River” as it winds it’s way back toward the chil-dren’s area. Once there, the river opens up into the Paw PawLake, where the helm of a boat is moored and used as a sit-ting and play area for the patrons. With movable controlsthe boat is nestled in amid a mural on the western walldepicting scenes from Paw Paw Lake in years past. A glasswall encasing the entrance to the Children’s Area, whichboth beautifies the area and reduces the noise level, depictsCrystal Palace, once a local landmark. The children’s area –supported by a $75,000 bequest from the Clarence andAnne Leonard estate, administered by the City of Coloma –features white clouds with playful figures hidden among theclouds and a tree in which the librarian can sit during storyhour.

At the other end of the library a fireplace is highlightedby windows, offering patrons an enjoyable view of down-town Coloma and a peaceful spot to sit and read. Withample seating areas and lighting, a study room, a drive-upbook return, a community room, better parking and morepublic computers for the patrons to use, the library has seena significant increase in patrons and library usage.

“Dream Weaver” is a Winner at the GrandRapids Public Library

“Dream Weaver” was the winning title selected fromentries in a recent sculpture-naming contest at the GrandRapids Public Library (GRPL). Grand Rapids residentLeslie Dennis submitted the title and was awarded twobooks in recognition of her creativity. The winning title,chosen by the president of the Ryerson LibraryFoundation, was announced before the start of a programthat was part of the celebration for the 100th anniversaryof the Ryerson Building at the Main Library. The RyersonBuilding was the first permanent home of the GRPL andwas dedicated Oct. 5, 1904.

The previously untitled whimsical metal sculpture,featuring a woman seated in a rocking chair surrounded byfour children and a dog, was given to the Ryerson LibraryFoundation by donor and designer Stuart Padnos. Padnos

If you have a news item you would like to con-tribute, please contact Casey Warner at 517-373-5578 or email: warnerc1@michigan.gov.

Mount ClemensPublic Library

Story hour at the new Coloma Public Library

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