Cemetery Research Program, Written in the Stars podcast, Night for Notables Celebration, MNB Author Tour, and New Exhibit

Virtual Program: Cemetery Research with the Library of Michigan Thursday, May 1, 2025 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom Register for this Program Cemeteries and headstones contain a wealth of information about ancestors and a location's most prominent citizens, but more research is required beyond the gravesite. Dig into the types of information available at the Library of Michigan when researching cemeteries and unearth best practices for cemetery research. Find a full schedule of 2025 virtual programs and registration information at Michigan.gov/LMPublicPrograms.

Library of Michigan Staff Featured on Written in the Stars: Books and Beyond podcast Reference Librarian Mindy Babarskis and Community Engagement Librarian Adam Oster were featured recently on an episode of the Written in the Stars: Books and Beyond podcast from the Lansing Community College Library. Mindy and Adam highlighted the many aspects of Michigan Notable Books program, including the history of the program, an overview of how books are selected, and reviewing past and present Notable Books titles. Find the full recording at: https://www.lcc.edu/connect/shows/written-in-stars.html

2025 Night for Notables Celebration

Over 200 people attended the Night for Notables Celebration on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Library of Michigan to honor the 2025 Michigan Notable Books selections and their authors. The event's schedule included remarks by Library of Michigan Foundation Chair Brian Hare, CPA, State Librarian Randy Riley, Michigan Poet Laureate Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd, and Special Collections Manager David Votta. The keynote address was a conversation between writer/producer/director Curtis Chin (author of the 2024 Michigan Notable Books selection Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant: A Memoir) and Lansing City Pulse writer Bill Castanier.

Following the keynote conversation, the afterglow reception in the Library of Michigan atrium allowed event attendees to visit with the 2025 MNB authors as well as view the Library's new exhibit Innocents In Peril in the Lake Erie Room. 

A special thank you to the Night for Notables volunteers and the event sponsors. Visit the Michigan Notable Books page on the Library of Michigan website to see a selection of photographs from the event: Michigan.gov/NotableBooks.

Images from 2025 Night for Notables.

2025 Michigan Notable Books Author Tour

The 2025 Michigan Notable Books Author Tour is underway, with several events already held across the state this April and more to come. The bulk of the author tour events are scheduled throughout May and June so look for upcoming programs near you by viewing the tour schedule on the Michigan Notable Books Author Tour page.

Find more information about the Michigan Notable Books program and author tour at Michigan.gov/NotableBooks.

"The Black Utopians: Searching for Paradise and the Promised Land in America" author Aaron Robertson at Charlotte Community Library.

Innocents in Peril Exhibit and Opening Event

Innocents In Peril is a new exhibit in the Library of Michigan's Lake Erie Room that features the powerful images of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Taro Yamasaki paired with the evocative poetry of author/poet Anne-Marie Oomen. This unique exhibition explores themes of children living with the threats of poverty, disease, natural disasters, and armed conflict. Experience an unforgettable fusion of visual narrative and poetic response that invites reflection and conversation.

An exhibit opening event will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 6:30PM. Look for more details soon at Michigan.gov/LibraryExhibits.

"Innocents in Peril" exhibit by Taro Yamasaki and Anne-Marie Oomen.