“In many rural communities, libraries have built upon their role as hubs for learning, growing into trusted and dynamic spaces where residents can connect with resources, ideas, and one another,” said Maura Dewan, vice president of programs and corporate affairs at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “We are very proud to support library-led projects that reflect the aspirations and opportunities of the local communities and people they know best.”

Awarded grants are administered through The Library Network in partnership with Woodlands Library Cooperative and Suburban Library Cooperative. 60 library buildings across seven counties in Southeast Michigan are eligible as rural libraries.

“The Library Network is proud to partner with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and help provide funding to libraries with the Rural Library Grant Program. Michigan’s rural libraries provide meaningful services to their communities and with these awards, they can do even more,” said Steven K. Bowers, executive director of The Library Network.

In the first round of applicants, the following libraries applications rose to the top, meeting one or more of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundations interest areas:

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The memo contains a summary of the current process for delivery labeling instructions as well as the new process that is anticipated. All TLN libraries will need to transition to the new labeling process on or before August 1, 2026. TLN will send out notification of the updated procedures again, closer to the August 1  implementation.

Read Complete Memo

"TLN remembers long-time Wayne-Oakland Library Federation (WOLF, predecessor to TLN), and TLN staff person Patricia (Pat) Antonelli. Pat worked in a variety of roles during her nearly 25 years of employment at the cooperative, including the Region of Cooperation, Reference/Interloan, and Order/Acquisitions departments. The one common theme no matter where Pat worked was her dedication to high quality work and attention to detail, as well as her professionalism and always positive spirit in her interactions with both cooperative and member library staff".

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Check out the TLN Annual Report 2025, now available online!

Take a look at the work done and impact made this past year.

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Awesome Mitten (news post): Marking the 50th Anniversary of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald Shipwreck: Memorial Events & More

Detroit News (article): Remembering the Fitz: A list of Events Statewide

Jay Thomas Show (radio interview): “Edmund Fitzgerald 50 Years, 50 Year Mortgage and Shutdown Almost 50 days may be over” 11-10-25

MLive (news article): Edmund Fitzgerald 50th anniversary memorials: Lighthouses, churches, how to watch livestreams

MLive (news article interview): Why the Edmund Fitzgerald has become our ‘Titanic of the Great Lakes’

WXYZ Detroit (news article and video): Edmund Fitzgerald: Events across Great Lakes honor 50th anniversary of Sinking

Connecting the work of TLN to member libraries and the public, TLN has adopted this newly revised mission:

"To create a vibrant, collaborative partnership among our libraries, driving access to shared services and resources that benefit the libraries and their users."

Along with the budgeting process, the Board also approved new strategic planning that supports the daily work of TLN while also establishing several new strategic goals and initiatives for the next several years.

Download Stategic Planning Doc

Download Budget Doc

Holly Township Library

Based in Holly, Michigan, Holly Township Library provides library services to a population of over 24,000, including Holly Township, the Village of Holly, as well as Rose Township, and Groveland Township residents. Holly's mission is as follows, "The Holly Township Library mission is to provide and promote public access to information through a quality collection of materials, reflecting all viewpoints which fulfill the educational and recreational needs of the community within a pleasant, professional atmosphere."

Capital Area District Library

Serving Ingham County and parts of Eaton County, CADL has 13 locations and a mobile library, providing services to 23 different municipalities. CADL's community statement is as follows, "CADL is a valuable community partner, reaching out with library services to schools, churches, senior centers and more. Our staff participates in hometown parades and celebrations, supports local charities and service organizations, and partners with other community groups across the county."

Join us as we welcome these libraries and their communities into our greater cooperative!

The Book & Author Society returns this fall after a long hiatus, hosting an author talk with The New York Times bestselling novelist Kate Quinn.

Historical fiction author of The Rose Code and The Briar Club will host an event at Schoolcraft College on Monday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m. This marks the first Book and Author Society in-person event since going virtual during the pandemic.

“It’s my pleasure to help bring back the Book & Author Society Events! I’m excited to get to connect with my readers in Metro Detroit and appreciate the opportunity,” says Quinn.

Titles such as The Alice Network and The Huntress have earned Quinn recognition as Amazon Best Book of the Month, GoodReads Best Book of the Month, NPR Best Book of the Year, Marie Claire’s Best Women’s Fiction Books of the Year and Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick.

Bringing readers and authors together since 1972, Book & Author Society hosts premiere luncheons in Metro Detroit open to the public to meet authors and hear them speak on their books.

“The goal of the Book & Author Society is to help readers across Metro Detroit get a chance to meet big name authors that they’re reading,” says Chair of the Book & Author Society Committee and West Bloomfield Township Public Library Director Cathy Russ. “It’s an opportunity for everyday readers to engage with their favorite authors.”

Returning under new management, the Book & Author Society voted in 2024 to become a part of The Library Network. A library cooperative providing services to libraries in Wayne, Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw, Genesee, and St. Clair Counties, TLN creates vibrant partnership amongst member libraries through shared services and resources.

“The Library Network is pleased to help continue the legacy of the Book & Author Society,” says TLN Executive Director Steven K. Bowers. “Promoting literacy, inspiring readers, and helping to bring people together through events are always goals of a library and this helps us to provide that on a larger scale.”

Registration for the Book & Author Society Event featuring Kate Quinn is available now. Early bird tickets cost $20 and tickets purchased after September 7 cost $25. Proceeds help to cover the cost of the event and raise funds for grant programs offered to libraries and literary organizations.

Get Tickets

Check us out in the parade super-edit video! Can you find us? (around the 44 second mark.)

Check out this article about MAP in the Freep!

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TLN mourns the loss of the former Deputy Director of the Wayne-Oakland Library Federation (WOLF, predecessor to TLN) Douglas A. Whitaker, at the age of 92. He was known for being well liked by TLN staff and libraries as well as the value he placed on his family.  

Read His Obituary

Please join us as we send our condolences to his family and friends. 

Former Wayne Oakland Library Federation (WOLF) Deputy Director and Wayne County Library System Director Douglas Whitaker passed away April 28, 2025 at the age of 92. At WOLF Doug played an instrumental role in leading the charge towards library automation, which culminated in the implementation of the cooperative's first shared online catalog in 1983. Doug always had the best interests of ALL libraries in mind, particularly those in communities with funding challenges. He strongly believed in the mantra that the mission of a library cooperative was for ALL libraries to work together in order to make ALL library cooperative members the best they could possibly be. Doug was a devoted family man, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather and was known for his meticulous skills in the landscaping and gardening realms. A number of current TLN staff were either interviewed or hired, or both, by Doug and they enjoyed sharing their fond memories of him today.

TLN is proud to start another Food for Thought Campaign with Gleaners Food Bank. From March 17 to April 11, visit your local participating library and donate non-perishable food items or money to help Gleaners feed people in your community and across Southeast Michigan.

Libraries are stepping up during a time when food banks often get forgotten, between the end of the holiday season and summertime. By helping Gleaners, you help them provide food to many of the food banks across Southeast Michigan.

Additionally monetary donations in March will be matched by the Harold and Kay Estate, making your donations even more impactful this year!

Virtual Food Drive

This month, meet local Librarian Azita Frattarelli on the Chapter & Verse Podcast! Azita is a Librarian and the Director at TLN member library, Riverview Veterans Memorial Library!

Have you checked out the new Chapter & Verse podcast from the Cooperative Libraries of Michigan and the Michigan Library Association? Available wherever you get your podcasts! This month's episode just dropped! Link below.

Check It Out!

Download Report

TLN's own DJ Bond has a chapter in the all new The Handbook of Black Librarianship! The newly published book is now available, and to celebrate, TLN has a new Overdrive collection titled Black Librarianship and Library Services. You can access the collection online in our Download Destination, on the Libby app.

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We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our new Contract Services Coordinator, Kelly Bennett! Join us in welcoming Kelly to The Library Network!

Kelly Bennett has worked in public libraries for over 28 years, most recently as Head of Circulation at Ferndale Area District Library. She has recently held roles at the Arab American National Museum and the Macomb County Bar Association, where she served as Executive Director. She is excited to serve the library community again in her new position at The Library Network.

Kelly holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which she has been practicing for 10 years. She enjoys baking (she makes a lovely cranberry tart), listening to audiobooks (thrillers and fantasy), and consuming true crime media (Redhanded podcast and People Magazine Investigates, among many others). 

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our new Technical Assistant & Receptionist, Becky! Join us in welcoming her to The Library Network!

Becky joined TLN from Commerce Township Community Library, where she worked as a Circulation Assistant. She also has experience as an ELD Paraeducator, helping children with reading and writing. Outside of her work at TLN, Becky enjoys teaching people how to decorate sugar cookies. She is very excited to be part of the TLN team!

Some additional things about Becky:

She has lived in Michigan all her life.
She enjoys trips to Disney with her husband and two daughters.
She has one dog.
She enjoys live concerts.
She collects vintage cookbooks.

Advantages and Impact

• Library access is maximized for all
• Increased circulation of library materials
• Long overdue, lost, and missing materials are returned, reducing material and financial loss
• Stigma and shame for tardiness is removed
• Improved staff morale through reduction in negative patron interactions
• Costs are reduced for tracking and processing fines
• Burden of enforcement and confrontation removed from staff
• Goodwill is generated and the library is perceived positively
• The library is viewed as being true to core values and supportive of the community

"Going fine-free has been a win for us in so many ways."
Jody Wolak, Library Director, Wayne Public Library

Read Full Statement

                                                           Info Flyer

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Libby just got even better! Did you know that now you can check out ebooks from TLN and other libraries across the state, all for free with your library card? Take a look today!

The Library Network (TLN) is excited to announce that library users at all member libraries on Overdrive/Libby can now access and search the collections of all other libraries. The Download Destination, Genesee District, St Clair County, Metronet, and MCLS collections are now all part of the Resource Lending Agreement (RLA) partners in Libby. In addition, you can search collections across the state with other partner libraries.

Tutorial Pamphlet

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