Dec. 20, 2005

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries and the Library of Michigan today announced that nine public libraries throughout the state will receive funding to help them create or add to existing endowment funds.  More than $15,000 was raised for this effort last spring, when the Detroit Tigers generously returned a significant portion of every $20 upper-deck, box-seat ticket sold at a Michigan public library to a special Library of Michigan Foundation fund earmarked for this purpose.

"We are excited to be able to assist Michigan's public libraries in building foundations for their future," said Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) Director Dr. William Anderson.  "By serving as all-important catalysts for long-term growth and financial security for these libraries, the value of the awards is beyond measure."

A committee, comprised of the state librarian, two library co-operative directors and the director of the Library of Michigan Foundation, reviewed 37 applications and selected the following recipient libraries, based on geographic diversity and class size (Class I: serving a population of zero to 3,999; Class II, 4,000 to 6,999; Class III, 7,000 to 11,999; Class IV, 12,000 to 25,999; Class V, 26,000 to 49,999; and Class VI, more than 50,000):

$2,500 Award

Homer Public Library in Homer (Class II)

Houghton Lake Public Library in Houghton Lake (Class IV)

Pere Marquette District Library in Clare (Class III)

Three Rivers Public Library in Three Rivers (Class IV)

$1,000 Awards

Spies Public Library in Menominee (Class III)

Otsego County Library in Gaylord (Class IV)

Public Libraries of Saginaw (Class VI)

Hesperia Community Library in Hesperia (Class II)

Oxford Public Library in Oxford (Class IV)

In total, $15,380 was raised for the Ernie and Tram fund.  To evenly distribute that amount, award amounts were set at $1,000 and $2,500, with each award recipient getting an additional $42.  In order to receive the awards, the selected libraries must show that 100-percent matching funds (either $1,000 or $2,500) have been raised for their endowment funds by May 1, 2006.  The additional $42 is not part of the matching requirement.

Said Roger Mendel, director of the Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative, which helped coordinate Detroit Tigers ticket sales at Michigan's public libraries:  "This successful project was definitely a 'win-win' situation.  First, money was raised to financially help libraries; and secondly, the baseball community helped focus in on not only the needs of libraries but also the valuable services they provide every day to countless Michigan residents."

The endowment dollars for this effort came from the "Ernie and Tram Go to Bat for Michigan Public Libraries" campaign last spring.  In hopes of raising awareness of the importance of libraries and raising funds to support them, Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell and former Detroit Tigers Manager Alan Trammell offered to champion the cause.  Michigan public libraries sold tickets for the May 15, 2005, Tigers game vs. the Anaheim Angels, with proceeds donated to this special fund.

The Library of Michigan is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).  Dedicated to strengthening the economy and enriching the quality of life for Michigan residents by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Michigan Historical Center, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Film Office.  For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.