Vision Statement
The Library of Michigan Foundation will be recognized as the preeminent funding and support organization – in partnership with the Library of Michigan and other public and private entities – by providing proactive leadership to strengthen the public’s ability to access information from the Library of Michigan and all libraries throughout the State.
Founding & Focus
The Library of Michigan Foundation was created in 1985 at the behest of Governor James L. Blanchard. Governor Blanchard’s vision was to form a private foundation to raise private funds for the growth of the Library of Michigan. The Governor envisioned building a strong public-private partnership, modeled on the successful New York Public Library Foundation.
Governor John Engler followed and implemented this vision. Governor Engler called upon philanthropically-minded citizens to recruit other leaders within the community. Over the years, thousands of generous donors helped create many enhancements to the Library of Michigan for our state’s citizens.
Since its inception, the Library of Michigan Foundation has raised more than $6 million in private and corporate donations to support rich literary programs and life-long reading, statewide services for libraries, continuing education for librarians, library staff, and trustees, and the construction of the Martha W. Griffiths Michigan Rare Book Room and its growing special collections, which is housed in the beautiful Library of Michigan, located in downtown Lansing. In addition, the Foundation manages private funds for Michigan’s Braille and Talking Book Library which serves over 11,000 patrons who are visually and/or physically impaired.