Monroe County Library System celebrating 90th anniversary with events, sharing of memories
MONROE COUNTY — Almost anywhere you go in Monroe County on Monday, you can celebrate the Monroe County Library System’s 90th anniversary.
A full-day of activities has been set. A celebration will take place at each of the 16 library branches across the county. Library patrons also can publicly share their favorite library memories and view in-person and virtual timelines of the branches.
The Monroe County Library System began in 1934 in Dundee. The Carleton Branch soon followed. Since then, the system has grown to include 16 branches, a bookmobile and a mobile delivery service. Its offerings have gone beyond books and DVDs. Today, the library system also offers digital resources, databases, framed art, fishing poles, traffic cones, cake pans, plants, garden seeds, yard games and household items.
Many attend library programs each year. Both attendance and circulation continue to increase.
"In 2023, 136,564 people attended library programs throughout the county. This is a 33 percent increase over the previous year," said Barbra Krueger, community outreach director for the system. "In 2023, MCLS circulated 912,177 items countywide. This is a 6.3 percent increase over the previous year."
Krueger said public libraries in Michigan date back to 1817, when the City of Detroit Library began. Today, the MCLS is one of Michigan's 397 public library systems which operate 651 combined branches. MCLS offered a community survey though Aug. 1; results will help the system plan its next five years.
“We are thrilled to celebrate nine decades of commitment to literacy, learning and community enrichment,” said Nancy Bellaire, library director. “This is not only a tribute to our past achievements, but also a look forward to the future of our libraries. We invite everyone to join us in commemorating this landmark occasion."
Previous Coverage: Milestones for Carleton Branch Library
Here's a look at what is planned at the library branches.
Monday’s activities
Each MCLS library branch will have its own celebration and/or open house at a different time on Monday. For the full schedule of activities, visit monroecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/upcoming?keywords=90th.
Some of Monday's celebrations will include refreshments, games, crafts, photo opportunities and prizes. The Rasey Memorial and Erie branches, for example, will offer games from the 1930s, and the South Rockwood Branch will have a drawing for a Kindle Fire. At Dorsch Memorial, attendees can dress like 90-year-olds.
"Historical timelines of each branch will showcase the library’s evolution and impact over the years," Krueger said. "Vivian will have classic Disney movies, short Donald Duck cartoons. He also is 90-years-old."
Two branches will have special guests Monday. The Rasey Memorial Branch Library, 4349 Oak Street in Luna Pier, will host County Commissioner David Swartout at 10 a.m. The Dorsch Memorial Branch Library, 18 East First Street in Monroe, will host Monroe Mayor Robert Clark and State Rep. William Bruck at 11 a.m.
"These presentations will honor the library’s significant role in our community," Krueger said.
Share your library memories
The Monroe County Library System is asking patrons to share their memories of the libraries and their offerings.
Memories can be submitted online at bit.ly/mclsmemories and on paper forms available at the branches.
About 75 memories have been submitted so far and can be viewed online.
The memories submitted so far came from patrons of all ages. Some are drawings by young visitors. Here's a sampling of what patrons have enjoyed about the library system through the years:
∎Making ice cream outside the Carleton Branch during Summer Reading 2003-04.
∎ The Willy Wonka party at Dundee! Lickable wallpaper and a pool of chocolate to fish out Augusta.
∎ Being chased by geese outside Ellis as a baby.
∎ Frenchtown Library personally taught me about cozy mysteries. I truly enjoyed all that I have read.
∎ Cuddling baby goats and meeting so many great people.
∎ The bookmobile saved me as a young mom of three with one vehicle my husband used for work. The bookmobile made my kids excited about reading!
Learn even more about the MCLS
Timelines of seven library branches are available online.
A photo collection also is available online. Photos show library cards through the years, staff photos, the COVID-19 era and more.
Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content.
To learn more about the Monroe County Library System and its offerings, visit mymcls.com and mymcls.com/celebrating-90-years.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County Library System celebrating 90th anniversary
