What's in your wallet? Make it a Library of Michigan library card. Get a Library Card
Online Resources for Library Cardholders
The Library of Michigan supports digitization efforts throughout the state by offering resources to libraries. Resources include consulting, equipment access, funding opportunities, and more.
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
Michigan eLibrary (MeL) Information
History of the Library of Michigan
Press releases courtesy of library staff and the Michigan Department of Education.
State Librarian/State Librarian's Excellence Award
Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
May 15, 2018
LANSING – The National Genealogical Society (NGS) presented the Filby Award to Timothy Gleisner, Head of Special Collections at the Library of Michigan and former Head of Special Collections at the Grand Rapids Public Library, during the Librarians’ Day event of the NGS 2018 Family History Conference in Grand Rapids.
Created in 1999 by NGS, the award is named for the late P. William Filby, former director of the Maryland Historical Society and author of many core genealogical reference tools that genealogists have relied on for decades. It is presented annually at the NGS Family History Conference and has been sponsored by ProQuest and Mr. William Forsyth since 2006.
After 12 years at the Grand Rapids Public Library, Gleinser recently accepted a position at the Library of Michigan in Lansing, where he serves as the manager of Special Collections. In this position he now seeks to find and preserve all of the state’s history and culture.
“Every honor and bit of recognition Tim gets is well deserved,” said State Librarian Randy Riley. “His professional career highlights his outstanding service to family and local historians. The Filby Award is a tremendous honor.”
Riley said the Library of Michigan has been honored to have three Filby Award winners.
“No other library in the country has had more than one,” Riley said. “I think that exemplifies just how important customer service is to the Library of Michigan.”
During his time at the Grand Rapids Public Library, Gleisner sought to find, and preserve all aspects of the city’s history and culture. He worked at the library and throughout the city to share his knowledge. He made available archival documents that tell the stories of that West Michigan community’s past history.
The Filby Award was presented to Gleisner for making significant contributions to library patron access to information or to the preservation of historical records; activities that have significantly advanced genealogy and local history; and work that has encouraged others to be innovative in the field.