Historic State Librarian: Harriet Tenney, Michigan Author Award: Call for Nominations, Michigan Notable Books Submission Reminder
 Harriet
Tenney Returns to the Library of Michigan!
“By the advice of the Chief Executive of the State, and with the unanimous consent and approbation of the Senate, on the 31st day of March,
1869, this Library was placed in charge of a WOMAN.”
Harriet Tenney
- Report of the State Librarian of the State of Michigan for the Years 1869 and 1870
The Michigan Territorial Council established the Library of Michigan in 1828, 9 years before Michigan statehood. Nearly 40 years later,
our first female State Librarian, Harriet Tenney, was appointed. She was the first woman to hold a significant role in Michigan’s state government. Her appointment and career brought greater acceptability for women to work in the Capitol – which they did in
growing numbers throughout her tenure. Tenney worked in the State Library for a total of 32 years – 22 as Librarian (1869-1891), and 10 years prior as the unpaid assistant of the previous State Librarian (her husband Jesse Tenney). She truly had a professional
career.
Tenney often took the initiative beyond the scope of State Librarian's role. She created Michigan’s first state museum, within the State
Library. She was key to the formation and success of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society as well as the publication of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections – a valuable 40 volume historical source for historians then and now. She was an
active, engaged community member who worked hard to improve the educational opportunities of women in Lansing, provide access to books for everyone in the city, and to both assist and honor Michigan’s Civil War soldiers.
The Library of Michigan and
Michigan State Capitol Historian Valerie Marvin have recently collaborated on a series of exhibits throughout the the Library that highlight the life and career of Harriet Tenney. Photos, texts, and artifacts related to
Tenney provide context for understanding her foundational work as State Librarian. The exhibit will remain up throughout the rest of 2022. Discover additional information about Harriet Tenney through Marvin's article "The Transformative Harriet Tenney" in
the
July/August 2022 issue of Michigan History Magazine.
*Photo of Harriet Tenney courtesy of the
Forest Parke Library and Archives, Capital Area District Libraries.
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Michigan Author Award: Call for Nominations
The
nomination period for the Michigan Author Award is now open. Facilitated by the
Library of Michigan and the
Michigan Center for the Book, the Michigan Author Award is a lifetime achievement award that celebrates the collective career of a Michigan author. Over the years the award has been given to a diverse collection of writers
working in a variety of genres and styles. Recent recipients include Larry Massie, Mitch Albom, Jaimy Gordon, and Beverly Jenkins. Find a
complete list of past honorees on the Michigan Author Award page.
Anyone is eligible to submit a nomination. The author must meet the following qualifications to be considered eligible for the award:
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The author must either be a current resident of Michigan, a long-time resident of Michigan recently relocated or an author whose works are identified with Michigan because of subject matter and/or
setting in Michigan.
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The author's work may be in the form of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, or any other literary format the Michigan Author Award Group finds acceptable.
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The author must have a body of work encompassing at least three published titles for adults, teens, or children.
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Authors who self-publish are eligible for consideration, as long as their work is available in libraries.
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The author must be living at the time of the nomination.
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The author must have a publishing career spanning a minimum of five years.
Please
submit your nominations by Monday, November 7, 2022 using our
online form.
Learn more about the Michigan Author Award by visiting the Michigan Center for the Book page: www.Michigan.gov/MCFB.
Submit questions to Librarian@Michigan.gov or call 517-335-1477.
 Michigan
Notable Books Submissions Reminder
The Michigan Notable Books selection committee is currently reviewing nominations for the 2023 Michigan Notable Books list. There is still
time for titles to be considered by the committee.
To be considered for selection, books must:
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Be either about or set in Michigan or the Great Lakes (with a Michigan focus) or written by a Michiganian (current or previous resident),
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Be of high quality in research and writing, and have strong current interest or wide audience appeal,
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Be reflective of Michigan's diverse ethnic, historical, literary, and cultural experience.
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Revised editions and updates of previously published works are not eligible.
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Be published in the calendar year prior to the award year (2023) and must be copyrighted the year under consideration (2022). For example, a book with a copyright date of 2022 can only be considered
during the 2023 award year.
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Be received early enough for complete review by the committee prior to the last meeting in the first week of December.
Early submission is encouraged. Due to the amount of time necessary to consider each title,
the Committee may not have sufficient time to review books received in November and December. Advance review copies and electronic/PDF copies will be accepted.
Find additional information about submitting titles by going to the
Michigan Notable Books page and selecting How
to Contact and Submit Titles to the Michigan Notable Books Program. Questions may be submitted to Michigan-Notable-Books@Michigan.gov or
by calling 517-335-1477.
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Michigan Notable Books Committee at their August meeting.
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