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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
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All 2024 Programs for the Public will take place over Zoom. All programs require registration to attend.
Thursday, January 4, 2023 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Ancestry.com Library Edition is a comprehensive family history database with access to a wide range of historical documents, images, and public records. Learn advanced techniques for navigating Ancestry.com’s vast collection of records and other strategies as you enhance your family history research skills.
Thursday, February 1, 2024 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Nestled deep in the Manistee Forest of Michigan, there was once a safe haven for people of color during segregation. It's founders, Ella and Marian Auther, a black couple from Toledo, Ohio named it the Woodland Park Resort. Listen as historian, Dianna Cross Toran, talks about its rich history and how it grew into a legacy that is still cherished to this day.
Thursday, March 7, 2024 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Finding women in historical records can be difficult because throughout much of our past, women have held a secondary status. Discover strategies for uncovering the elusive women within local history and our family trees.
Thursday, April 4, 2024 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Explore the digital options for saving your family history research. Explore the variety of desktop and web-based applications researchers can use for organizing their data. Review best practices for both using these applications and uploading digital scans of records to the software.
Thursday, May 2, 2024 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Cemeteries and headstones contain a wealth of information about ancestors and a location's most prominent citizens, but more research is required beyond the gravesite. Dig into the types of information available at the Library of Michigan when researching cemeteries and unearth best practices for cemetery research.
Thursday, June 6, 2024 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Rock's Backpages is the largest archive of music journalism online, featuring articles and resources on both Michigan musicians and others from around the world. Discover a new side of the Great Lakes music scene and learn to research artists from all your favorite genres.
Thursday, July 11, 2024 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Land ownership is an underutilized, yet invaluable, tool for uncovering information about your family’s history. Learn about the boundary system where property was divided and organized throughout Michigan’s history. See examples of Sanborn Maps and how they chronicled the urban areas of our state.
Thursday, August 1, 2024 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Register For This Program
The Martha W. Griffiths Michigan Rare Book Room contains thousands of rare and unique items connected to both Michigan’s past and beyond. See examples of this diverse collection and discover the stories behind these remarkable treasures.
Thursday, September 5, 2024 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Register For This Program
Throughout the early 20th century, dozens of Michigan communities constructed public libraries through funding provided nationwide by industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Learn about the history of the Carnegie library program and its impact in Michigan. Explore examples of Michigan Carnegie Libraries, including many who continue to serve their communities today.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Register For This Program
MyHeritage Library Edition is a family history database available through the Michigan eLibrary with access to a wide range of historical documents, images, and public records. Go beyond the basics of navigating MyHeritage and learn advanced strategies for discovering records within its collections.
Thursday, November 7, 2024 6:30PM - 7:30PM
Register For This Program
Fold3 provides online access to military records, including the stories, photos, and relevant personal documents. Discover advanced strategies for using Fold3 as you uncover the accounts of men and women who served in the armed forces.
Thursday, December 5, 2024 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Register For This Program
Governments, businesses, and a variety of other organizations produce annual reports that describe the activities of the entities throughout the preceding year. These reports provide vital information for genealogical researchers when investigating the greater context of the lives of their ancestors. Learn more about these useful documents and see examples from the collections of the Library of Michigan.
Registration is required for all Zoom sessions. To register, select the Register For This Program link under the Name/Date of each program you wish to attend. You will be required to provide your name and email address. A link to the Zoom session for each program will be emailed to you on the day you register as well as the day of the program. All Zoom programs will be recorded.
For questions, please contact the Library of Michigan at Librarian@Michigan.gov or 517-335-1477.
Links to recordings of current and previous years Zoom sessions are available on the Video Tutorials section of our Family History page.
Updated: 12/30/2023