Did you know the state of Michigan has a library, much like the Federal Government has the Library of Congress?
The Library of Michigan has served the state government, Michigan residents and libraries throughout Michigan since 1828, collecting and compiling laws, government publications and important documents, journals and other materials.
Housing over 5 million items, the Library of Michigan also offers a plethora of services and programs to the public, including Michigan genealogy research, the Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL), the Michigan Notable Books and Poet Laureate awards, the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) and the Library of Michigan (LM) Databases.
The LM Databases are especially impressive since they offer access to resources that are typically subscription-based but are free with a Library of Michigan library card or eCard. The LM Databases are divided into four categories: E-books/Publications, Family History, General/Reference and Newspapers/Periodicals.
E-books/Publications
This section includes full-text academic and professional e-books from various disciplines, as well as links to databases housing tens of thousands of free literary, historical, and Michigan-specific works.
Family History
This section includes family trees, military records, maps and other historical records to help researchers with genealogical research. Ancestry Library Edition is also available for patrons who visit the Library of Michigan in person.
General/Reference
These are books, media, congressional records, magazine archives, Native American claims documents, public health reports and a vast collection of pop and rock music materials.
Newspapers/Periodicals
This category includes access to major local, state and national newspaper archives. Many newspaper databases can only be accessed onsite at the Library of Michigan, so plan accordingly when you’re about to dive into your research.
All Michigan state officials, residents, and students at a Michigan college or university are eligible for a Library of Michigan library card.
To access Library of Michigan collections, patrons must apply for a card in person at the Library of Michigan in Lansing. However, to access the wide variety of e-resources available in LM Databases, patrons only need a Library of Michigan eCard, for which they can apply online. Their card information, password, and additional instructions will be emailed shortly.
Recent News
An executive order issued by the Trump Administration on Friday, March 14, calls for the elimination of funding and staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, (IMLS) the nation's federal agency for America's libraries. While the Canton Public Library does not receive direct federal funding, the library and its patrons benefit greatly from indirect funding from IMLS to the Library of Michigan. The Library of Michigan administers the following, which would impact library users in Canton and across Michigan:
- Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants
- The Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) program
- The Michigan eLibrary (MeL, which pays for statewide research databases)
- MeLCat
- Other programs, such as capital/building efforts, technology upgrades, various smaller grants to support literacy/digital access/local history collections, and continuing education and training for library staff to meet State Certification requirements.
For more information, check out our blog.
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