This month marks the 150^th anniversary of the Detroit Public Library – making it older than quite a few states currently in the Mountain Standard Time zone, and certainly older than Henry Ford’s reimagining of the assembly line.

Aside from the obvious implication this city has in fact been around long before automobiles, (not that I don’t love me some Motor City action – I’m union raised and union proud as my dad spent decades on the line at Poletown for General Motors), I wanted to reiterate Detroit has a rich, storied and full history of culture and innovation. Few things are a greater helm of those attributes than a library.

The Detroit Public Library has served as a beacon of learning and hope for every single one of its 150 years, and at the City’s largest there were nearly 30 branches to accommodate yearning minds.

I have, in part, the Detroit Public Library to thank for my own love of books.

My dad for the entirety of my short life has torn through books faster than anyone else I’ve met (besides potentially myself, when I put my mind to it). He reads everything – crime, suspense, bestsellers, historical fiction, young adult, science fiction and, of course, fantasy. Growing up and even during his tenure at Wayne State the Detroit Public Library was how he got free access to his favorite hobby. Except for comic books, those he always bought. That’s a different story for a different day. But he couldn’t have sustained his passion the way he did if not for the library.

Maybe it was on purpose; he could have foreseen how annoying my mom would find us constantly talking about Lord of the Rings and thus did it as some sort of elaborate prank. Or maybe it was completely on accident, but the thing is: it’s my dad’s fault I’m obsessed with reading. And reading unequivocally played an important role in my own journey. Ipso facto, the Detroit Public Library is an institution I feel I owe quite a bit to.

“Sometimes female characters start out as the wife or girlfriend, but then I realize, ‘No, she’s the book,’ and she becomes a main character. I surrender the book to her.” – Elmore Leonard

 

Here are the upcoming events celebrating the important anniversary at the Detroit Public Library via the Detroit Free Press:

March 31: 6 p.m., main library. Poetry in Midtown Series featuring Dr. Naomi Long Madgett, founder of Lotus Press, 2001 Poet Laureate of Detroit and 2012 Kresge Eminent Artist.

April 14: 6 p.m., main library. Poetry series featuring Saul Williams, spoken word/slam poetry artist, author, actor, musician; star of hip-hop musical, “Holler If Ya Hear Me,” using Tupac Shakur’s music and lyrics.

May 12: 6 p.m., main library. Poetry series featuring Detroit native Jessica Care Moore, renowned poet, playwright, performance artist and executive producer of Black WOMEN Rock!

May 16: The 50th anniversary celebration of Junior Great Books. Wild Swan Theater presents “Strega Nona and the Magic Pasta Pot” at main library. Free and open to public.

May 21: 4 p.m., main library. 100th anniversary celebration of the Burton Historical Collection, featuring a discussion of the Coleman A. Young Mayoral Collection and a panel discussion of his influence. Free and open to the public.

Aug. 14: Reading and Rhythm on the Riverfront: A special celebration marking the 75th anniversary of the bookmobile taking library services to the people of Detroit. Refreshments and giveaways.

Sept. 25: Book Lovers’ Buffet: A special event celebrating Detroit’s book lovers.

March 19, 2016: 150th gala fund-raiser.