ccessccessAPublished by the Library of Michigan December 2003 Issue Volume XXI NO. 6 ISSN 1051-0818

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Happy HolidaysD e c e m b e r

The Votes Are In! ‘Barnyard Song’Is the Official Book for MichiganReads! by Casey Kremers, Communications Office, Department of History, Arts andLibraries

The Library of Michigan recently announced “BarnyardSong” by Rhonda Gowler Greene as the featured title for theMichigan Reads! One State, One Preschool Book program, slat-ed for April 2004. The favorite among five titles vying for thetop spot in an online poll, “Barnyard Song” received 1,056 out of a total 2,690 votes.

“The public had five very worthy books to choose from, and ‘Barnyard Song’ is anexcellent choice – a fun and entertaining story that really engages young minds,” said StateLibrarian Christie Pearson Brandau. “Our goal is to get as many little Michiganians as possible mooing and cock-a-doodle-doo-ing along with the book in April.

The winning book was chosen from a ballot of five titles, submitted by the MichiganReads! book criteria and selection committee, on which the public voted throughoutOctober. The runners-up in this online survey were “One Dark Night,” by Lisa Wheeler,“Duck on a Bike;” by David Shannon, “Kiss Good Night;” by Amy Hest and “Mama CatHas Three Kittens;” by Denise Fleming.

“By focusing on a children’s book and encouraging a collective reading experience, wehope to highlight the importance of reading to children from the earliest age and the valueof families reading together,” said Brandau. “We’re also aiming to raise awareness of publiclibraries as a vital learning resource for the quality books, programs and services that fostersuccess in reading and school.”

“Barnyard Song,” a School Library Journal Best Book of 1997, tells the humorous storyof what happens to the farm animals’ usual “song” when the animals catch the flu. The artwork by Robert Bender blends bright and shaded colors with thick, dark outlines to create the colorful barnyard chorus of animals.

A resident of West Bloomfield, Michigan, author Rhonda Gowler Greene is a formerelementary and preschool teacher. Her other books include “The Beautiful World ThatGod Made;” “Eek! Creak! Snicker, Sneak;” “Jamboree Day;” and “When a Line Bends...aShape Begins.” More information about Greene is available on her Web site atwww.rhondagowlergreene.com.

Governor Jennifer Granholm serves as honorary chair of the Michigan Reads! program,which is co-sponsored by the Michigan Center for the Book and the Library of Michigan incooperation with libraries around the state. To learn about statewide or local events or part-nering and sponsorship opportunities, contact michiganreads@michigan.gov. For moreinformation about the Michigan Reads! program, please visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

In ThisIssue

LibraryCooperativeQualityServicesProject Begins

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GenealogicalOpportunitiesDuring theHolidays

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HappyHolidays

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OtsegoCountyLibraryWins StateLibrarian’sExcellenceAward by Casey Kremers,Communications Office,Department of History,Arts and Libraries

The Library of Michigan Foundation hasawarded the 2003 State Librarian’s ExcellenceAward to Otsego County Library for exemplarypublic service. This prestigious honor, which gives$5,000 in privately raised funds to one libraryannually, was presented October 30 at the StateLibrarian’s Luncheon during the Michigan LibraryAssociation annual conference at the LansingCenter.

The Clinton-Macomb Public Library, locatedin Clinton and Macomb townships, and theMunson Medical Center Department of LibraryServices in Traverse City each received a Library ofMichigan Foundation Citation of Excellence.

“Libraries are an integral part of our communi-ties, enriching the lives of Michigan citizens as wellas providing access to a world of information andresources,” said State Librarian Christie PearsonBrandau. “The three we recognized this year exem-plify the commitment to excellence, innovation andcustomer service that make libraries so vital.”

The Otsego County Library in Gaylord, one ofthe first libraries in the state to offer Internet access,has been a pioneer in providing technology servicessuch as a Web site with round-the-clock access tothe library’s catalog and an online communityinformation network, Otsego.org. It has partneredwith numerous community organizations to expandservices to patrons and has increased literary pro-gramming by sponsoring appearances by well-known authors.

The library – which 15 years ago was strugglingto provide even the most basic library services –hassince increased its materials budget by over 500 per-cent, added qualified staff, and increased program-ming in addition to offering innovative technologyservices. Otsego County Library now far surpassesthe state average in terms of public library ratings.

“I have found our library to not only providenew, innovative and outstanding services to all sec-

I confess: I have the new librarianaction figure that has caused such a stirin the library world. She’s really cute,but her “action” — bringing a finger toher lips in a shushing motion — is pret-ty stereotypical. Did I mention she’sselling like hotcakes? My fellow librari-ans, our profession is definitely blessedwith a collective sense of humor that istried and true! Can you imagine anaction figure for CPAs or attorneys

being as affectionately received?

Fortunately, I’ve learned a lot and had memo-rable moments, enjoying Michigan librarians’ special brand of humor! From those who taughtme how to show others where Lansing is on the“hand map,” to those who laugh with me as Istruggle to pronounce names like Dowagiac andGratiot, there’s a lot of good cheer to go around.

Recently, I made my way through northwest-ern Michigan to visit libraries. On the last stop in Glennie, I was greeted by staff and board members who were dressed to the nines as different mystery-book characters! They served an all-chocolate dessert buffet with various imple-ments of crime (noose, dagger, toy gun, etc.) scattered on the table. Why, of course, in keepingwith the mystery theme, it was “death by chocolate.” What a hoot!

Last week I was in Kalamazoo where thelibrary had organized the “Great Adult SpellingBee.” It was good-spirited chaos as 18 communi-ty groups — from Rotary members to a group ofpediatricians dressed as caricatures of themselves— competed against each other for top honors inspelling and enthusiasm, all for the benefit of a lit-eracy program. The highlight was a 6-foot bum-blebee (a.k.a. library director Saul Amdursky)!

The point I hope I’ve made is that the librarycommunity is peppered with many remarkablefolks with great good humor, from our own SantaClaus (Michael Deller) to the many librarians whokeep me rolling in jokes and funny stories. We,indeed, are a jolly bunch. During this holidayseason and throughout the coming year’s chal-lenges and surprises, let’s keep our thoughts andhearts on what is important. Whatever comes ourway, it’s always taken better with a sense ofhumor. Remember what master humorist MelBrooks once said: “Humor is just another defenseagainst the universe.” Amen!

Season’s greetings,

Left to right: Otsego County LibraryAssistant Director Jackie Skinner, StateLibrarian Christie Pearson Brandau,Otsego County Library Director MaureenDerenzy, Otsego County Library Boardof Trustees President Phil Curtiss, Libraryof Michigan Foundation ExecutiveDirector Judith K. Moore

tors of our community, but they have been a greatpartner in identifying and developing resources thatsupport our community’s economic development.… The library staff are extremely professional andalways focused on serving their customers,” wroteJeff Ratcliffe, executive director of the OtsegoCounty Economic Alliance, in one of the many letters of support that accompanied Otsego CountyLibrary’s nomination.

Criteria for the State Librarian’s ExcellenceAward, made possible through a grant from theLibrary of Michigan Foundation, includes: demon-strating that the library provides new, innovative and superior services to its customers in a cost-effec-tive manner, with a can-do attitude and by alwaysdelivering promises; demonstrating the library’scommitment to high standards of customer servicethrough staff dealings with customers and synergywithin the staff through a coordinated approach tosupporting customers; and demonstrating that thelibrary is a team player through its collaborations in the community.

The jury panel included State Librarian ChristiePearson Brandau, Foundation Board Chair AlZehnder and representatives from the Michiganlibrary cooperatives, Trustees Round Table, SpecialLibraries Association, Michigan Academic LibraryCouncil, Michigan Library Association, MichiganAssociation for Media in Education, MichiganMunicipal League, Michigan Chamber ofCommerce and Michigan Townships.

Martha W. GriffithsMichigan Rare Book RoomOpens With Celebration

The Library of Michigan recently celebrated thecompletion and official opening of the new MarthaW. Griffiths Michigan Rare Book Room.Approximately 200 guests, including Lt. Gov. JohnD. Cherry, legislators and staff from libraries aroundthe state, helped commemorate the occasion at theinaugural celebration hosted by the Library ofMichigan Foundation.

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Right, Department ofHistory, Arts and LibrariesDirector Dr. William M.Anderson

Above, Albert F. Zehnder,President of the Library ofMichigan Foundation board of directors

Left, State LibrarianChristie Pearson Brandauand Lt. Gov. John D.Cherry

Below, guests enjoy atour of the readingroom.

The entryway to the Rare Book Room

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Library Cooperative QualityServices Project Beginsby Martha Seaman McKee, Project Coordinator for QualityMeasures, Library of Michigan

On October 3, 2003, a committee whosemembers represent various types of Michiganlibraries began the Library of Michigan’s secondquality measures project: to establish quality meas-ures for library cooperatives. The process began inthe winter of 2002/03 when Michigan’sCooperative Directors Association, seeing the suc-cessful results of the first Quality Services AdvisoryCommittee (QSAC), asked State Librarian ChristiePearson Brandau to establish a quality measuresadvisory committee to create the same type of stan-dards for library cooperatives.

“Our library cooperatives provide invaluableservices to their member libraries. If we didn’t havelibrary cooperatives we’d have to invent them,” saidBrandau. “I want Michigan’s libraries to provideequitable, excellent service to all our citizens. Thework of the QSAC for COOPS will help us realizethat goal.”

Committee members quickly agreed to followthe criteria for quality measures developed byQSAC. (For details, see http://www.plfig.org/qsac-committee.htm.) Five subcommittees will workover the coming winter to develop three tiers ofstandards for library cooperatives:

º Essential Services: These standards are thebasics of all library cooperative service. Theyare relatively low-cost standards that everycooperative can and should achieve.

º Enhanced Services: These standards are moreof a stretch to achieve. They may require morefunding.

º Excellent Services: These standards call for thehighest level of service that can be obtained.They are a stretch for any cooperative andrequire funding and commitment to superbservice at every level.

The five subcommittees created are:

º Governance

º Administration

º Services

º Technology

º Advocacy

All subcommittee recommendations will bepublished on michlib-l, in Access, and via the librarycooperatives. Your suggestions and ideas are wel-come. Please send them to Martha McKee at theemail addresses listed below. If you have questions,concerns, or comments, please send them toMartha McKee at mmckee@mi.org or call (517)241-2697.

Quality Measures for Cooperatives CommitteeMembers:

Representing Academic Libraries

-Judy Bosshart, director, Davenport University(Kalamazoo); Southwest Cooperative

-Charles Hanson, director of library services,Kettering University Library (Flint); MideasternCooperative

Representing Cooperative Directors-Dan Siebersma, director, Lakeland LibraryCooperative

-Suzanne Dees, director, Superiorland LibraryCooperative

Representing Class I Public Libraries

-Moira Maus, director, Curtis Township Library;Northland Cooperative

-Grace Strauss, director, Clinton Township PublicLibrary; Woodlands Cooperative

Representing Class II Public Libraries

-Christine Nofsinger, director, Marcellus Township-Wood Memorial Library; Southwest Cooperative

-Betsy Hull, director, Edna C. Bentley MemorialLibrary; Mideastern Cooperative

-Martha Boetcher, director, Saugatuck-DouglasDistrict Library; Lakeland Cooperative

Representing Class III Public Libraries

-Kate Van Auken, director, Rawson MemorialLibrary; White Pine Cooperative

-Joan Lundberg, director, Hart Area Public Library;Mid-Michigan Cooperative

Representing Class IV Public Libraries

-Edward Elsner, director, Crawford County Library;Northland Cooperative

-Holly Hentz, director, Hamburg TownshipLibrary; TLN

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Representing Class V Public Libraries

-Sylvia Marabate, director, East Lansing PublicLibrary; Capital Cooperative

-Mary Cary Crawford, director, Escanaba PublicLibrary; Superiorland Cooperative

Representing Class VI Public Libraries-Trish Burns, assistant director, Bay County LibrarySystem; Mideastern Cooperative

-Josie Parker, director, Ann Arbor District Library;TLN

-Nancy Skowronski, director, Detroit PublicLibrary; TLN

Representing Trustees

-Stephen Harper, Plymouth District Library; TLN

-Gaylord Kurtz, Cadillac-Wexford County Library;Mid-Michigan Cooperative

Representing Special Libraries

-Patricia Wolfgram, manager, Health SciencesLibrary; White Pine Cooperative

-MidMichigan Medical Center

Representing Library of Michigan

-Karrie Waarala, continuing education specialist

-Martha Seaman McKee, quality measures projectcoordinator

Michigan Libraries AwardedFunds for BroadbandDevelopment; Next Round ofFunding Coming Up

by Linda Schatz

Through the combined resources of the ReedAct, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and theE-rate, all of the Michigan libraries who met the fil-ing requirements were awarded grants to assist inproviding broadband capacities for access to theInternet, allowing them to better serve the public.Those libraries receiving funds have agreed to pro-vide certain services to the unemployed in theirarea. The following 46 libraries received financialsupport for the project period beginning July 1,2003, and ending June 30, 2004:

In the first year of the two-year project, fundswere provided for broadband capacities to mainlibraries to better assist them in providing servicesto the unemployed. In the upcoming second yearof the project, branch libraries will also be permit-ted to apply for broadband support.

With the opening of the E-rate applicationwindow on November 5, 2003, libraries have begunto plan for how they might be able to upgrade theiraccess to the Internet for the upcoming E-ratefunding year beginning July 1, 2004. As part ofthis planning process, we encourage public librariesto consider seeking Reed/Gates funds for theupcoming funding year. These combined resourcescan provide a needed jump-start for upgrading serv-ices.

In addition, the Library of Michigan haslaunched a new broadband support initiative toprovide technical support to libraries upgrading tobroadband connections. The project includes com-monly asked questions, links to a wealth of Internetresources, and email discussion lists to help librariesresolve their concerns about broadband upgrades.More information is available from the project Website at www.michigan.gov/techforlibraries.

More detailed information about the secondproject year for Reed/Gates funding will be avail-able soon. Plan now to take advantage of thesecombined funding resources to upgrade your services!

Albion Public Library

Bad Axe Public Library

Bayliss Public Library

Benton Harbor Public Library

Blair Memorial Library

Cadillac-Wexford County Public Library

Curtis Township Library

Dickinson County Library

Fennville District Library

Flat Rock Public Library

Forsyth Township Library

Freeport District Library

Garden City Public Library

Gladwin County Library

Hamtramck Public Library

Hazel Park Memorial Library

Hesperia Community Library

Holly Township Library

Howell Carnegie District Library

Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library

Jackson District Library

Lapeer District Library

Lyon Township Public Library

Madison Heights Public Library

Manchester District Library

Menominee County Library

Montmorency County Public Libraries

Munising School Public Library

Negaunee Public Library

Oak Park Public Library

Otsego County Library

Oxford Public Library

Presque Isle District Library

Reading Community Library

Redford Township District Library

Royal Oak Public (City) Library

Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library

Saint Ignace Public Library

Spies Public Library

Wayne County Library - River RougeBranch

Wayne Public Library

West Iron District Library

White Pine Library

Willard Public Library

Wixom Public Library

Ypsilanti District Library

Library of Michigan Board ofTrustees Elects New Leadershipby Casey Kremers, Communications Office, Department ofHistory, Arts and Libraries

The Library of Michigan board of trusteestoday announced the election of Elaine K. Didieras chair and Clifford H. Haka as vice-chair, forterms expiring in October 2004.

Said State Librarian Christie Pearson Brandau:“The Library of Michigan will be well served withElaine and Cliff in these leadership roles. Theirexperience and commitment to the growth andenhancement of library service can only meangood things for libraries in our state!”

Didier, dean of the University Library andprofessor at Oakland University (OU), replacesBettina C. Graber as chair. Prior to coming toOU in 1999, she worked at the University ofMichigan for nearly 22 years. Didier wasappointed to the Library of Michigan board as therepresentative of the Michigan Library Association(MLA) in 2001. She is past president of MLAand continues to serve on the MLA Board ofDirectors. Didier earned her B.A., A.M.L.S. andPh.D. degrees from the University of Michiganand also studied at Oxford University.

In her capacity as chair of the Library ofMichigan board, Didier also serves as a member ofthe Library of Michigan Foundation board ofdirectors.

“It is a great honor to be entrusted with lead-ership of the LM board,” said Didier. “I lookforward to working with State Librarian ChristieBrandau and her excellent staff, and with Dr.William Anderson, director of the Department ofHistory, Arts and Libraries, to enhance and sup-port LM leadership and services to libraries andindividual citizens across the state.”

Director of libraries at Michigan StateUniversity since 1997 and on the staff of MSULibraries for more than 20 years, Haka replacesDidier as vice-chair. He was appointed to theLibrary of Michigan board in 2002 to representcollege and university libraries.

Haka, who has served as a consultant and pre-senter on library issues for organizations aroundthe country, earned a B.A. degree from WesternIllinois University, an M.A. degree fromSangamon State University, an M.L.S. degreefrom the University of Illinois and an M.B.A.degree from the University of Kansas.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to servein this capacity at a critical juncture in the historyof Michigan libraries,” said Haka. “We are poisedto implement cooperative enterprises as neverbefore, and must find a way to persevere in theseefforts regardless of budgetary challenges being con-fronted. This will be the focus of my efforts withinthis position.”

HAL Web Page Now OffersStatewide Library EventCalendars for Both thePublic and Library Staffby Cindy Krueger,Web Administrator,Department ofHistory, Arts andLibraries

There arenow two calen-dars Michiganlibraries can useto promote events – for library staff or for the general public – on the Department of History,Arts and Libraries (HAL) Web page.

Activities, Exhibits and Events at LibrariesAround the State [For the General Public]

These can be programs such as book signings,reading discussions or special programs, as long asthe events are open to the public. Classes will notbe included. Story times and children-only eventswill not be included - please add these events to theMICASE database at http://www.micase.org.

Statewide Conferences and Workshops [ForLibrary Staff ]

Libraries and library organizations are encour-aged to participate and submit their events. Thiscalendar lists professionally related events, such ascontinuing education opportunities, conferences,workshops, open houses, vendor demonstrations orany other events that are of broad interest to thelibrary community regionally or statewide.

When submitting information for these calen-dars, please read the instructions first, and be sureto give your complete library address. To find theinstructions, visit www.michigan.gov/hal and clickon the “For the Professional” button on the left sideof the page, then select “Libraries, Librarians, andMedia Specialists.” The links to instructions forboth calendars appear under “Services forLibraries.”6

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You can also find both calendars by goingto one Web page at http://titan.libraryofmichi-gan.org/cgi-bin/webevent.cgi.

If you have questions or need to make achange after an event has been submitted, pleasee-mail Cindy Krueger atckrueger@michigan.gov.

Genealogical OpportunitiesDuring the Holidays by Kyle Kay Ripley, Reference Assistant, Library of Michigan

The holidays can be a great opportunity forgenealogists to gather information. Your visitwith relatives could help you glean a wealth offamily history information.

To take the best advantage of a family visit,be prepared with a list of questions to ask.Basic tools to prepare include pencils, paper, acamera, pedigree charts and family group sheets.Be brief, no longer than 2 hours, with yourinterviews. Choose your questions carefully. Ifan answer is not easily given, don’t push.

There are printed materials as well asInternet sources to help you prepare for a familyinterview. One source that may help you is“Recording Your Family History: A Guide toPreserving Oral History With Videotape,Audiotape, Suggested Topics And Questions,Interview Techniques” by William Fletcher,published in 1986. A videotape titled “VideoReflections: How to Tape and Interview YourRelatives” – produced, directed and written byDorothy Shapiro and Michael Gold in 1996 –may also be useful. You can find the article“Unique Ways to Record Your History” byMaureen Taylor at www.genealogy.com/genealo-gy/80_taylor.html. Another online article titled“Getting Nosy with Aunt Rosie,” atwww.genealogy.com/70_tipsoral.html, providestips for the types of questions to ask.

If you are the one doing the traveling, youshould consider taking an extra day or two tostop at local repositories or places in the home-town where your elders were born and raised.Visit the courthouse and look for birth, mar-riage and death records. The library or histori-cal society may offer gems of information onlythey have, like obituary files from the localnewspaper or records of members of local asso-

ciations. The church where relatives worshipedmay have christening, baptismal, marriage andfuneral records. Walk the local cemetery or makearrangements to talk to the sexton and see if youhave family buried nearby. Drive by previousschools or homes where your relatives lived andtake some photos for your files.

Many families enjoy reminiscing, so your inter-views will be welcome. This may make your holi-day time with family more enjoyable than ever.

Gale InfoTrac DatabaseComparison: OneFile, GeneralReference Center Gold, andCustom Newspapers by Linda Neely, Library of Michigan, and Margaret Pavelka,Thomson/Gale

Those of us using MeL databases to retrievecitations and full-text articles on general topics maybe interested to read about some of the content dif-ferences between three major Gale InfoTrac periodi-cal products in MeL: General Reference CenterGold, OneFile and Custom Newspapers.

OneFile is Gale’s largest periodical databaseproduct, containing 100 percent of themagazine/journal titles that Gale has publicationrights to. GRC-Gold has about half of the titlesfound in OneFile. It doesn’t contain as many aca-demic journal titles as OneFile, but GRC-Gold mayhave full-text for some titles that in OneFile areindex only. GRC-Gold also contains a well-round-ed collection of reference content not found inOneFile. OneFile and GRC-Gold have newswirecontent and index several major newspapers. Fulltext of all newspaper content that Gale has rights tois found in Custom Newspapers.

For further information, the Title Lists page atwww.gale.com provides full lists of all periodical,newswire and newspaper, and reference titlesincluded in each Gale database.

For questions regard-ing any of the Galedatabases, pleasecontact:Gale ElectronicSearch Assistance (800) 877-4253,Option 5contentqa@gale.comwww.gale.com

A New Era: The Library ofMichigan, 1980s to Today

by Casey Kremers, Communications Office,Department of History, Arts and Libraries

In the early 1980s, as the nation’s economystruggled, so did the State Library. Under the aus-pices of the Department of Education (DOE),which like other state agencies saw steadily declin-ing appropriations during the 1970s, the libraryhad to lay off staff and depend on federal funds tosustain basic services.

In 1980, Senator William Faust introduced leg-islation to move the State Library from the DOE,where he suggested it had suffered because of com-petition for funding with other educational pro-grams, to the Legislative Council. Despite somedisagreement and some debate over the constitu-tionality of the transfer, the bill eventually passedthe Legislature and was signed by Governor JamesBlanchard in January 1983 to become Public Act540. Attorney General Frank Kelley upheld theconstitutionality of the move later that year.

The new Library of Michigan, modeled afterthe Library of Congress, became part of theLegislative Council. A 15-member board oftrustees now served as the advisory and planningbody for the library’s future development, and theco-chairs of the Legislative Council provided leader-ship.

Senator Faust also spearheaded an effort tobuild a new state-of-the-art building to house theLibrary of Michigan and the Michigan HistoricalCenter, supported by a strong grassroots movementamong library staff around the state. In August1984, the Legislature approved $275,000 for thebuilding’s design. The plans were approved, andconstruction began in 1986.

The first major state building since the Capitoldesigned for public use, the Michigan Library andHistorical Center opened on schedule in November1988. The opening tripled the library’s space, unit-ed its full collection of books in one place for thefirst time since the fire of 1951, and gave Michiganthe second largest state library in the United Statesat the time.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Libraryof Michigan introduced many new services andtechnological advancements, including creating andupdating ANSWER, the library’s online catalog;implementing an automated circulation module;8

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State Librarian ChristiePearson Brandau ReceivesMAME President’s Awardfor Contribution to SchoolLibrary Profession by Casey Kremers, Communications Office, Department ofHistory, Arts and Libraries

The Michigan Association for Media inEducation (MAME) recently recognized StateLibrarian Christie Pearson Brandau with itsPresident’s Award. The award, presented duringthe MAME annual conference in Grand Rapidson October 30, honors an outstanding individ-ual who has made a unique contribution to theprofession of school librarianship.

“Christie has a deep and abiding interest infostering the work of school librarians,” saidKaren Lemons, president of MAME. “She hasensured the inclusion of school media specialistsin the broad spectrum of library activities acrossthe state of Michigan.”

Lemons cited several contributions Brandauhas made to the school library profession,including instigating and appropriating fundingfor the Michigan School Library Study, a surveythat measured the impact of Michigan schoollibrarians on academic achievement; supportingthe work of the Michigan Authors andIllustrators project as it has become an onlinedatabase housed on the Library of MichiganWeb site; and working with members ofMAME to address accreditation concerns andto collaborate on numerous Department ofEducation programs.

“We probably recognize Christie most forher warm, friendly smile; her continual supportin words and deeds; her interest in the further-ing of MAME and the entire profession,” saidLemons. “We thank her for her dedication andinspiration.”

“I am truly honored to be given this specialrecognition by my colleagues in Michigan’sschool libraries,” said Brandau. “School librarymedia specialists play a key role in our children’seducation, helping them achieve success inschool, and I’m proud to lend my enthusiasticsupport to this vital profession.”

and instituting the Michicard program.Internet access first became available at theLibrary of Michigan in 1993, and the librarylaunched its Web page in 1996.

In 1998, the Library of Michigan unveiledAccessMichigan, the precursor of the currentMichigan eLibrary (MeL). A collaborationbetween the Library of Michigan and manyMichigan libraries, the project offered freeaccess to several online databases to all librariesand their patrons. MeL now contains Internetresources screened by professional librarians and$3 million worth of online encyclopedias, direc-tories, almanacs, electronic books and newspa-per and magazine articles. In 2002, it becameaccessible to Michigan residents 24 hours a dayfrom any Internet connection.

Instrumental in launching the new 24-hour-accessible Michigan eLibrary was StateLibrarian Christie Pearson Brandau. Michigan’s39th state librarian, Brandau took the helm ofthe Library of Michigan in March 2000.

In October 2001, the Library of Michiganbecame part of the newly created MichiganDepartment of History, Arts and Libraries(HAL). Dedicated to enriching the quality oflife for Michigan residents by providing accessto information, preserving and promotingMichigan’s heritage and fostering cultural cre-ativity, the department also includes theMackinac Island State Park Commission, theMichigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs,the Michigan Film Office and the MichiganHistorical Center.

An executive order by Governor JohnEngler in the fall of 2002 transferred the statedemographer and census information gatheringand reporting functions from the Departmentof Management and Budget to HAL, specifical-ly the Library of Michigan. These new func-tions fall under the Library Development andData Services (LDDS) Division, whose missionis to enhance the quality of library and dataservices statewide and to support library staff intheir ongoing efforts to sustain quality service toMichigan residents. In addition to these newresponsibilities, LDDS continues servinglibraries around the state in many ways, includ-ing providing consultation, support and infor-mation on a wide variety of library services tolibrary staff and trustees and coordinating avariety of statewide activities.

The Library of Michigan launched theMichigan Reads! One State, One Preschool Bookprogram, with Governor Jennifer M. Granholm ashonorary chairperson. Taking an innovativeapproach to the “everybody reads the same book”idea implemented in dozens of cities and statesnationwide, Michigan Reads! is unique in that ithighlights the importance of family literacy byfocusing on a picture book for children ages 0 to 5.

The program is planned for April 2004.

On October 28, 2003, the Library of Michigancelebrated the completion and official opening ofthe new Martha W. Griffiths Michigan Rare BookRoom, an occasion more than 10 years in the mak-ing. Designed and constructed entirely with privatefunding, the room was named in tribute toMichigan’s first woman lieutenant governor, MarthaW. Griffiths, in recognition of her distinguishedcareer and lifelong commitment to libraries.

Located on the fourth floor of the Library ofMichigan, the new reading room and state-of-theart storage complex are very important additionsbecause they provide the necessary environmentalconditions and security for the rare materials. Thisroom will also create an inviting and suitable placefor these important research materials to be used bythe citizens of Michigan.

Celebrating 175 years of serving Michigan residents, the Library of Michigan looks back withpride on its accomplishments and looks forwardwith excitement to new developments on the horizon.

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HappyHolidays!From yourLibrary ofMichiganStaff!

WWWby Kyle Kay Ripley, Reference Assistant, Library of Michigan

Library Statistics

Michigan Public Library Statistical Reportshttp://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-18835_18894_19664—-,00.html

Association of Research Libraries Statistics-MachineReadable Fileshttp://www.arl.org/stats/arlstat/mrstat.html

Association of College and Research Libraries –Academic Libraries Statisticshttp://www.virginia.edu/surveys/ACRL/2001/

Public Library Data Service Statistical Reporthttp://www.ala.org/Content/NavigationMenu/PLA/Publications_and_Reports/PLDS_Statistical_Report/PLDS_Statistical_Report.htm

National Center for Education Statistics, LibraryStatistics Programhttp://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/

InMich Statisticshttp://inmich.lib.msu.edu/borrowstatistics.html

Library Statistics and Measureshttp://web.syr.edu/~jryan/infopro/stats.html

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other items. It will feature a fold-out ramp for easyaccess, a retractable awning, exterior lighting, andspace for a librarian and an assistant/driver. Wiringfor future satellite communication will be included,although cell-phone technology will initially beused to connect to the main library.

Crystal Falls Library Moves to NewHome After 50 Years

The Crystal Falls Library has moved from theCity Hall, its former home of 50 years, to a build-ing of its own down the street. The building wasdonated to the library, and voters approved a mill-age proposal of .6 mill for the cost of a 1,260-square-foot addition and renovation. Upon com-pletion of the project, about 50 volunteers helpedthe library move by walking books down the street.It took about five hours.

The new library has about four times as muchfloor space, four additional computers for the pub-lic, more reading tables, comfortable chairs and anew young adult section. The children’s section hasdoubled in space, and a new meeting room hasbeen added for public use.

Wayne State Library SystemReceives IMLS Leadership Grant

For the second year in a row, Wayne StateUniversity was the recipient of a NationalLeadership Grant from the Institute of Museumand Library Services (IMLS). Wayne State wasawarded $249,433 for “Digital Dress,” a part-nership with Detroit Historical Museums, TheHenry Ford Museum and Meadow Brook Hall.The project will create a Web portal with 5,000digital images of men’s, women’s and children’sclothing and accessories representing 200 yearsof fashion.

Wayne State’s fashion merchandising facultywill assist in the development of this tool theysay will be “a unique resource, representing col-lections comparable to the MetropolitanMuseum of Art and the Louvre.” The librarysystem will host the Web site, allowing it tocontinue to expand its digital costume collec-tion. For more information about the project,visitwww.lib.wayne.edu/geninfo/units/lcms/dls/grants/ddgrant.php.

Rochester Hills Public Library toBegin New Bookmobile Service

The Rochester Hills Public Library Boardrecently approved the purchase of a new 31-footbookmobile, with delivery expected early nextsummer. The first bookmobile in the library’shistory, the vehicle is the key component in anexpanded effort to bring additional library serv-ices to the growing Rochester, Rochester Hillsand Oakland Township communities. In prepa-ration for beginning service next summer, thelibrary’s bookmobile committee will be seekingpublic input and suggestions for stop locations.

Purchase of the Matthews Super Low FloorBookmobile will be made possible through thegenerosity of the Friends of the Rochester HillsPublic Library. The bookmobile, which will becustom designed and outfitted to the library’sspecifications, will have 160 square feet ofusable space and house some 3,000 books and

2003 Access Team: Back row - Kyle Ripley, TimWatters, Casey Kremers, Jo Budler, Linda Neely,Andrew Wilson, front row - Becky Cawley andKarrie Waarala. Not pictured, Marnie Elden andJennifer Houseman.

If you have anews item youwould like tocontribute, please contactCasey Kremers at517-373-5578 oremail: ckremers@michi-gan.gov.

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Library of MichiganState LibrarianChristie Pearson Brandau

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Contributing Writers:Christie Pearson Brandau, Casey Kremers, CindyKrueger, Martha Seaman McKee, Linda Neely,Margaret Pavelka, Kyle Kay Ripley, Linda Schatz

Library of Michigan Board of TrusteesWilliam Anderson, Director of HAL; ChristiePearson Brandau, State Librarian; Senator IrmaClark-Coleman, Elaine Didier; Thomas Genson;Senator Tom George, Bettina Graber; Cliff Haka;Representative Kathleen Law, Gayle Spearman-Leach, Elaine Logan; Representative Mike Nofs,Frances Pletz; Chief Justice Maura Corrigan repre-sented by Barbara Bonge

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Foundation Board of DirectorsAlbert F. Zehnder, President; Carl English, Vice President; J. Lawrence Lipton, Treasurer;Christie Pearson Brandau, State Librarian; Glen L. Bachelder; Richard W. Butler, Jr. PLC; Elaine K. Didier; Kenneth S. Glickman; Anne E.Harcus; Mark Hoffman; Mary McCormack; Thomas J. Moore; Tiffany L. Patzer; Frances H. Pletz;Gail Powers-Schaub; David A. Spencer, Ed.D.; Tim Swope; David Tate; Katherine F. Willis, PhD.;

The Library of Michigan is part of the Department ofHistory, Arts and Libraries. Dedicated to enriching thequality of life for Michigan residents by providing access toinformation, preserving and promoting Michigan’s heritage, and fostering cultural creativity, the departmentalso includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, theMichigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center.

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Deputy DirectorMark HoffmanAccess (ISSN 1051-0818) publishes information aboutthe Library of Michigan and its activities plus othermaterials of interest to the Michigan library communi-ty. Please direct comments or questions to:Casey Kremers, Communications SpecialistDept. of History, Arts and LibrariesP.O. Box 30738 • Lansing, MI 48909Phone 517-373-5578 or fax 517-373-5700TTY: 517-373-1592 or the Michigan Relay Center: 1-800-649-3777

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