Stair District Library one of 50 stops on the Michigan Notable Books and Authors Tour

Brad Heineman, The Daily Telegram
Updated ·4 min read

MORENCI — Morenci’s Stair District Library is one of 50 libraries throughout the state of Michigan, and the only library in Lenawee County, selected to host a Michigan Notable Book author.

Ann Arbor author Janie Paul will visit the library in downtown Morenci, 228 W. Main St., at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2, as part of the 2024 Michigan Notable Book (MNB) Program and Author Tour, which started in April and continues with statewide library visits in May and June.

Paul is the author of “Making Art in Prison: Survival and Resistance” a nonfiction book that introduces readers to the culture and aesthetics of prison art communities and shares “heart-wrenching, poignant and often surprisingly humorous artists’ narratives,” an announcement from Colleen Leddy, director of the Stair District Library said.

Ann Arbor author Janie Paul will visit the Stair District Library in downtown Morenci, 228 W. Main St., at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2, as part of the 2024 Michigan Notable Books (MNB) Program and Authors Tour, which started in April and continues with statewide library visits in May and June.
Ann Arbor author Janie Paul will visit the Stair District Library in downtown Morenci, 228 W. Main St., at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2, as part of the 2024 Michigan Notable Books (MNB) Program and Authors Tour, which started in April and continues with statewide library visits in May and June.

“These stories and images upend the manufactured stereotypes of those living in prison, imparting a human dimension — a critical step in the movement to end mass incarceration,” Leddy’s announcement said.

Paul’s book presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session, book sales and signing. Refreshments also will be served. The event is open to the public and there is no cost to attend.

Pictured, is the cover of the book “Making Art in Prison: Survival and Resistance” by Ann Arbor author Janie Paul, who is a 2024 Michigan Notable Author. Paul will talk about her book during a planned visit to Morenci's Stair District Library at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2.
Pictured, is the cover of the book “Making Art in Prison: Survival and Resistance” by Ann Arbor author Janie Paul, who is a 2024 Michigan Notable Author. Paul will talk about her book during a planned visit to Morenci's Stair District Library at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2.

"We’re so delighted that Stair District Library was selected to host a 2024 Michigan Notable Book author," Leddy said in an email. "We really appreciate being included in the tour because it allows us to bring high-quality cultural events to our small town and to plan extension activities in conjunction with the author’s book. We’ve been lucky to host a variety of MNB authors in the past and they’ve all been exemplary programs."

Each year, the Michigan Notable Books list features 20 books, published during the previous calendar year, which are about the Great Lakes, set in Michigan or the Great Lakes, or written by a Michigan author. Selections include a variety of genres, both fiction and nonfiction, that appeal to many audiences and explore topics and issues close to the hearts of Michigan residents.

The latest MNB list continues that tradition by exploring the lives of historic women leaders on Mackinac Island, examining the struggle for self-identity and acceptance, celebrating the creativity of Michigan artists across diverse mediums and more.

From the Detroit Free Press: Michigan Notable Books list features ‘gothically sordid’ story about Lansing quadruplets

“The celebrated books encompass the entire Great Lakes basin, to take readers from Sugar Island near the Soo to the cherry orchards of Traverse City, and across the vibrant communities of Metro Detroit,” the Library of Michigan said.

The Michigan Notable Book program, which began in 1991 as part of the Michigan Week celebration, is sponsored by the Library of Michigan, the Library of Michigan Foundation and Michigan Humanities, which is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The 2024 MNB books and authors were honored April 20 at the annual Night for Notables reception at the Library of Michigan in Lansing.

This piece of artwork by Dara Ket and titled “Why My Baby?” is one of the pieces of artwork on exhibit in Morenci at the Stair District Library, 228 W. Main St., as part of the library's “Making Art in Prison” exhibit. The artwork corresponds with the library's Michigan Notable Author, Ann Arbor's Janie Paul, who will visit the library at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2.

In addition to Paul’s book presentation in Morenci on Thursday, seven pieces of artwork from her private collection created by incarcerated individuals are on display at the library. The exhibit also includes artwork made by formerly incarcerated local residents and art from the collections of family members in a “Making Art in Prison” exhibit.

The library also is displaying other coffee table books and some of the books that have been selected as Michigan Notable Books for 2024, Leddy said.

"We never know which of the 20 authors we’ll be assigned, but it’s always a great program," added Leddy. "We’re looking forward to Janie Paul’s program because it’s unlike any we’ve ever hosted. It’s a unique opportunity to learn more about incarcerated individuals and the impact art has had on their lives, as well as the art workshops and exhibitions that Paul organized."

This piece of artwork by Duane Montney and titled “Second Chance" is one of the pieces of artwork on exhibit in Morenci at the Stair District Library, 228 W. Main St., as part of the library's “Making Art in Prison” exhibit. The artwork corresponds with the library's Michigan Notable Author, Ann Arbor's Janie Paul, who will visit the library at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2.

Art studio hours were scheduled at the library last week for patrons to create their own art. A limited variety of art supplies will be available on the library’s Art Cart through Wednesday, May 1.

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The Stair District Library is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. To contact the library, call 517-458-6510 or visit stairlib.org.

— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Stair District Library part of the Michigan Notable Books and Authors Tour