March 24, 2009

The Library of Michigan today announced the 2009 Michigan Notable Books author tour, which features more than 50 free presentations and book signings by 16 of this year's Notable Books authors at libraries statewide. The tour begins April 1.

"The Michigan Notable Books author tour gives Michigan residents a chance to connect with some of the state's best storytellers as they talk about their craft and share their experiences," said State Librarian Nancy Robertson. "The 2009 Michigan Notable Books captivate, entertain and inform, bringing to life stories that exemplify Michigan's rich cultural and literary heritage."

From April 1 to May 29, the Michigan Notable Books tour will crisscross the state, stopping at libraries in Alpena, Auburn Hills, Bay City, Belleville, Birmingham, Boyne City, Bridgeport, Carson City, Cheboygan, Croswell, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, East Lansing, Empire, Escanaba, Fremont, Gaylord, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Grayling, Harrisville, Hartland, Highland, Howell, Iron Mountain, Kalkaska, Lake Odessa, Lansing, Lapeer, Marquette, Midland, Milford, Morenci, Mt. Pleasant, Munising, Niles, Owosso, Royal Oak, Sand Lake, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Joseph, Sterling Heights, Traverse City and Vermontville.

For the full schedule of author visits, including locations and dates, visit www.michigan.gov/notablebooks.

The annual "Night for Notables" on Saturday, April 18, will celebrate the Michigan Notable Books and their authors. Featuring keynote speaker Christopher Paul Curtis, a Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Book Award recipient and author of the 2008 Michigan Notable Book Elijah of Buxton, this Library of Michigan Foundation event includes a reception and book signings with many of the year's Notable authors.

Taking place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Library of Michigan, "Night for Notables" is open to all. Tickets are $35. A portion of the evening's proceeds will be used to support the Library of Michigan's special collections and programs. To reserve a spot and get more details, call (517) 373-4692. The Library of Michigan is located at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. in downtown Lansing.

The Michigan Notable Books list is the Library of Michigan's annual selection of books that reflect the state's rich cultural heritage by highlighting Michigan people, places and events. Each year's list features 20 books published the previous calendar year that are about or set in Michigan or the Great Lakes region or are written by a native or resident of Michigan. Selections include nonfiction and fiction and typically have a wide appeal to the audience, covering a range of topics and issues close to the hearts of Michigan residents. For more information about the Michigan Notable Books, please visit www.michigan.gov/notablebooks.

The programming and author tour centered around the 2009 Michigan Notable Books are sponsored by the Library of Michigan, the Library of Michigan Foundation, the Michigan Humanities Council, Cooley Law School, ProQuest, Meijer, Steelcase Foundation, Paul and Marge Potter, Auto Owners Insurance, the Michigan Center for the Book and the National Archive Publishing Company. Program partners are Borders and Schuler Books & Music. Media partners are City Pulse, WKAR, Queue Advertising, Gennara Photography and Mittenlit.com.

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

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