Happy 135th Birthday, MLA!

On September 1, MLA will celebrate 135 years of serving Michigan’s library community!

Our story began in 1891, when Coldwater librarian Mary A. Eddy wrote to Detroit Public Library librarian Henry M. Utley about forming a statewide library association. On September 1 of that year, library leaders gathered in Detroit for MLA’s first meeting. And the rest, as they say, is library history!

For 135 years, MLA has brought Michigan’s library community together to advocate for libraries, support library professionals, and strengthen library services across the state. A lot has changed since 1891, but one thing hasn’t: Michigan libraries are stronger when we work together.

Help us celebrate!

Give MLA a birthday gift to support our work and the future of Michigan libraries at milibraries.org/donation.

Show your MLA pride with official merchandise from the MLA Store.

Share the celebration on social media! Tag MLA, tell us how long you've been a member, share your library's history, or just wish MLA a happy birthday! Find us on social:

• Facebook: @MichiganLibraryAssociation
• Instagram: @Michigan_Library_Association
• LinkedIn: Michigan Library Association
• Bluesky: @milibraries.org

Here’s to 135 years of libraries working together—and many more to come!

Check out the letter Mary A. Eddy, librarian at Coldwater Free Public Library, wrote to Henry M. Utley of the Detroit Public Library in April of 1891.