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Date: January 6, 2026
Media Contact
Bob Wheaton, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs, 517-241-4395
Ken Coleman, Department Spokesperson, 517-241-4395
LANSING – State Librarian Randy Riley is being remembered by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) for his many contributions during a career dedicated to making reading more accessible to the public.
Riley died suddenly on Saturday night at age 63.
Riley, of East Lansing, had been state librarian since 2014 and was a Library of Michigan staff member since 1989.
“I am greatly saddened by the death of Randy Riley,” said State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko. “Randy was well-known and respected around the state and country for his advocacy for libraries, books and reading. He was a champion of making information available to everyone. He will be truly missed. My thoughts are with his family.”
A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 9, at 11 a.m. in the Michigan Library and Historical Center Forum, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, with a small reception following. Randy Riley Memorial Fund contributions may be made to the Library of Michigan Foundation by visiting its website.
Before being named state librarian, Riley was a key member of the team responsible for oversight of the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) and promoting its resources to school and public libraries and government agencies statewide. He helped coordinate outreach to educators, state employees, and librarians to ensure that they have easy access to information. Under his leadership the Library of Michigan redesigned the MeL website and installed discovery search capabilities for MeL.
He oversaw statewide database contracts and vendor relations and coordinated the Michigan Notable Books program.
Riley previously worked as a reference librarian, Michigan Selector, Michigan and Genealogy Special Collections coordinator, and as Special Collections supervisor at the Library of Michigan. He was an influential leader in statewide and national library organizations, including Chief Officers of State Library Agencies.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Central Michigan University with a dual major in history and political science and a master’s degree of Information and Library Studies in the Archives and Records Management Program at the University of Michigan.
Riley is survived by his wife, Lori, a son, Sam, a daughter, Madeline, and his dog, Louie.
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The Library of Michigan is an agency within the Michigan Department of Education and is dedicated to providing the people of this state and their government one perpetual institution to collect, preserve and provide access to the story of the state, and to support libraries in their role as essential community anchors. To learn more, visit www.Michigan.gov/LibraryofMichigan.