December Virtual Program, Holiday Closings, Exterior Building Work, 2025 MNB Author Conversations, 2026 MNB List, & 2026 History Detectives Grand Rapids
 Virtual
Program: Michigan Pioneer Collections
Thursday, December 4, 2025 6:30PM - 7:30PM, Zoom
Register
For This Program
The early settlement period of Michigan is often a challenging area for researchers. Explore ways to navigate these barriers through content
at the Library of Michigan that spans the Old Northwest, the Territory of Michigan, and the initial decades following Michigan’s statehood. Learn about key resources for researching this period, including the Michigan
Pioneer and Historical Collections.
Registration is
required for all
Zoom sessions. Library of Michigan staff are currently solidifying the 2026 schedule of virtual programs. The 2026 Virtual Programs and Registration information will soon be available at
Michigan.gov/LMPublicPrograms.
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 Library
of Michigan Holiday Closings
The Library of Michigan will be closed for the following days throughout December:
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Wednesday-Thursday, December 24-25 (Christmas)
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Saturday, December 27
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Wednesday-Thursday, December 31, 2025-January 1, 2026 (New Year’s)
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Exterior Work at the Library of Michigan
Many recent visitors to the Library of Michigan may have noticed the scaffolding and construction equipment around the Michigan Library
and Historical Center (MLHC) building. The State of Michigan's
Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB), the state department that manages and maintains state-owned facilities and properties, has contracted with Kalamazoo-based
Miller Davis to make some well-needed updates to the exterior of the MLHC.
The Miller Davis staff and their subcontractors started on the east wing of the building in October to clean the exterior and tuckpoint
the stonework. They have since moved over to the west side of the building where the Library of Michigan is located. The construction staff and equipment are primarily located by the building loading docks but be aware if they are doing work in more public-facing
areas of the building. Next year, work will continue throughout next year on both sides of the building with repair and replacement of the building's glass ceiling. Announcements will be made on the Library of Michigan's website and social media accounts to
any changes to open hours that are required to accommodate any of the construction work.
Exterior work at the Library of Michigan.
2025 Michigan Notable Books Author Conversations
Revisit the 2025 Michigan Notable Books list through the online Author Conversations videos. Each video offers expanded insight into the
writing process of each author and how they prepared their award-winning books. The Author Conversations currently available for viewing include:
Each conversation was facilitated by either a member of the Michigan Notable Books selection committee or a Library of Michigan employee.
Look for these videos as well as previous Author Conversations online on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQNv-MrTjyhIngpYBxjWI7fg46Nu0vLQ1&si=ulbDVP2KZNsNDOxz.
Learn more about the Michigan Notable Books Author Conversations at Michigan.gov/NotableBooks.
 Coming
Soon: 2026 Michigan Notable Books List
The Michigan Notable Books selection committee is narrowing down several hundred submissions to finalize the 20 titles that will be selected
for the 2026 Michigan Notable Books list. Look for the final selections to be announced in January. More information about the Michigan Notable Books program is available on
Michigan.gov/NotableBooks.
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Partner Program: History Detectives Grand Rapids
The Library of Michigan is supporting partner of the
History Detectives Grand Rapids event taking place on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at
Grand Rapids Public Library in Grand Rapids. Started in 2008, History Detectives Grand Rapids is a day-long event created in collaboration with area local history groups that feature research projects of local historians
or researchers from the Grand Rapids area.
The 5 topics covered during the event include:
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Uncovering Grand Rapids Public School’s History as a Community
Leanne Kang | 10:00AM – 10:45AM -
Give Mother the Vote: Images from the Women’s Suffrage Movement
Ruth Stevens | 11:00AM – 11:45AM -
Tracking Down a Local Indigenous Footpath
Stephen T. Staggs | 12:00PM – 12:45PM -
Vietnamese in West Michigan
Matt Vriesman and Le Tran | 1:30PM – 2:15PM -
Festival of the Arts – One Perspective
Gina Bivins | 2:30PM – 3:15PM
Complete
program descriptions are available on the History Detectives Grand Rapids website:
HistoryDetectivesGR.org/2026-Programs. History Detectives Grand Rapids is overseen by the Grand Rapids Historical Commission in collaboration with
several other supporting partners. Find all details at
HistoryDetectivesGR.org. Direct all questions to
historydetectivesgr@gmail.com.
Learn more about History Detectives Grand Rapids at: HistoryDetectivesGR.org.
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