Hello all! Consider becoming a Michigan Center for the Book affiliate! For a minimal investment, your library can be part of a boatload of local, statewide and national projects and events. Affiliate members have a seat on the Center for the Book Board, participate in programs as they are able for minimal annual dues. Member travel to national events is supported in whole or in part by the Library of Michigan. Contact Janice Murphy at murphyJ3@michigan.gov <murphyJ3@michigan.gov?subject=MCFB> or 517-373-1302 and join today! The *Michigan Center for the Book is the Michigan affiliate of the National Center for the Book at the Library of Congress.* *Why ?* Because the rewards far outweigh the minimal investment! Fifteen libraries are affiliates of the Center for the Book. They are members because of the variety of benefits they gain! As a way to enrich the lives of our patrons! · By being visibly committed to an effort to increase literacy · By working to spread knowledge of Michigan’s authors and literary heritage · By celebrating and supporting books To support literary grants! · By funding our literary grant program through dues · By receiving grant funding themselves · By funding Literary Landmarks To participate in local and national events and networking! · By attending the National Book Festival at Library of Congress in Washington DC · By representing Michigan at the national Idea Exchange meeting for state Centers for the book To support authors and libraries have more and better literary events! · By supporting the Michigan Notable Books program and getting the inside track on the Notable author tour · By supporting the Michigan Library Author Visit blog, the Author Visit how to site, and the One Book Archive To learn from and network with fellow members! · By exchanging programming ideas · By working together on Center projects MCFTB mission is to promote an awareness of books, reading, literacy, authors and Michigan's rich literary heritage! *Activities* *Activities and Resources of the Michigan Center for the Book* The Center for the Book's mission includes promoting reading, authors and Michigan's literary heritage. To do so, we create and maintain resources such as the Michigan Authors & Illustrators database, a searchable record of Michigan authors present and past. We do projects such as the Literary Landmarks, which draw attention to notable literary places in Michigan. We sponsor activities by other groups such as the Michigan Author Awards, which bring readers in touch with Michigan authors. These activities bring the wonder of Michigan's literary world to people at home and in libraries across the state. *Promotions and Sponsorships* The Center participates in events and sponsors activities to encourage public interest in Michigan authors and promote reading. Events include representing Michigan at the annual National Book Festival <http://www.loc.gov/bookfest> in Washington, DC. The 17th Festival was held at the Washington Convention Center on Saturday, September 2. Podcasts are available. <http://loc.gov/bookfest/> Affiliates also host a table at the Kerrytown Bookfest <https://www.kerrytownbookfest.org/>, Alpena Bookfest <https://www.facebook.com/events/1556502437725449>, Detroit Book Festival <https://www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-michigan/michigan-events/detroit-festival-of-books-at-eastern-market-coming-in-july> and more. Sponsorships include support for the Library of Michigan's Michigan Notable Books program, and the Michigan Library Association’s annual <http://www.milibraries.org/about/michigan-author-award/>Michigan Author Award <http://www.milibraries.org/about/michigan-author-award/>. The Center produces an annual Programming Guide for the Notable Books program as part of our sponsorship. The Center for the Book manages the Letters about Literature <http://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/0,2351,7-160-34169---,00.html#LETTERSABOUTLIT> program in Michigan in collaboration with the National Center for the Book and Target. *Grants* A goal of the Center for the Book is to bring literary activities to a broad range of people that might not otherwise have these experiences. One way we do this is to provide small grants for literary events in Michigan. *Photos from 2017 National Book Festival* ​ *Donna Olson, Director* *Salem-South Lyon District Library* 9800 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon, MI 48178 Phone: (248) 437-6431 ext. 206 | Fax: (248) 437-6593 http://www.ssldl.info | https://www.facebook.com/SSLDL https://www.instagram.com/ssldl | https://twitter.com/ssldl