March 20, 2007

The Library of Michigan today announced the 67-stop schedule for the 2007 Michigan Notable Books author tour, a statewide series of free presentations and book signings by 19 of this year's Notable Books authors and illustrators.

The tour runs April 5 through May 24 and will visit libraries in Adrian, Allendale, Auburn Hills, Berrien Springs, Cassopolis, Charlevoix, Chelsea, Clinton Township (2), Corunna, Davisburg, Delton, Detour, Detroit (4), Escanaba, Fife Lake, Flint (2), Grand Rapids (2), Grayling, Harbor Beach, Harper Woods, Harrisville, Hart, Hartford, Highland, Holland, Iron Mountain, Ironwood, Jackson, Kalkaska, Lake City, Lansing (2), Lapeer, Litchfield, Manistique, Marquette, Mayville, Menominee, Merrill, Midland, Muskegon, Otsego, Ovid, Paw Paw, Rochester, Rogers City, Rudyard, Saginaw (2), Sault St. Marie, Schoolcraft, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Sturgis, Traverse City, Ubly, Vermontville, Walloon Lake, Wayne and White Lake.

"With more authors making more tour stops than ever, residents of all corners of the state will have the chance to enjoy an array of fascinating Michigan tales and meet some of our best writers," said State Librarian Nancy Robertson.  "The 2007 Notable Books run the literary gamut - novels, historical accounts, poetry, biography, children's books - so the tour offers something for readers of all ages and interests."

"The Library of Michigan has done an outstanding job with this win-win program. It points readers to a lively variety of fine regional literature, and it helps writers gain much-needed attention for their books," said Anne-Marie Oomen, author of 2007 Michigan Notable Book "House of Fields: Memories of a Rural Education."  "I'm delighted to receive this recognition and more than honored to be in the company of so many writers I respect."   

The full schedule of tour dates, locations and authors, and the complete list of 2007 Michigan Notable Books are available on the Web at www.michigan.gov/notablebooks. 

On Saturday, April 14, the Library of Michigan in downtown Lansing will celebrate the Michigan Notable Books program with the "Night for Notables" tribute, featuring speakers former Michigan Governor William G. Milliken, former Detroit News political columnist George Weeks and Dave Dempsey, author of "William G. Milliken: Michigan's Passionate Moderate" (a 2007 Michigan Notable Book). 

Taking place from 7 to 9:30 p.m., "Night for Notables" is sponsored by the Library of Michigan Foundation and is open to all, with tickets priced at $25 per person.  Guests will enjoy wine, desserts and book signings by many of the Michigan Notable Books authors and have the chance to win five of the 2007 Michigan Notable Books, signed by their authors.  To reserve a spot and get more details, call (517) 373-4692.  The Library of Michigan is located at 702 W. Kalamazoo St.

The Michigan Notable Books list is the Library of Michigan's annual selection of recommended 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 Michigan Notable Books, visit www.michigan.gov/notablebooks.

The 2007 Michigan Notable Books program is sponsored by Borders, Cooley Law School, ProQuest, Auto-Owners Insurance Company, Fifth Third Bank, LaSalle Bank, the Library of Michigan, the Library of Michigan Foundation, the Michigan Center for the Book, the Michigan Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities and Schuler Books & Music.  Media partners for this project are WKAR and the Lansing State Journal.

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, the Michigan Film Office 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).