Downtown in Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mary Spencer
1842-1923
| | Education & Literature | |
Photographed by Nathan Bierma
1. Mary Spencer Marker
When Mary Spencer became state librarian in 1893, she immediately unlocked the library's bookcases, giving users free access to their contents. recognizing that "the trend of library work at the present time is democratic," she worked for thirty years to make the library available and useful to citizens throughout the state.
Spencer built one of the nation's earliest traveling library programs, sending cases of books for extended periods to Grange Halls, YMCAs, ladies' clubs and church organizations. She also promoted collegiality and professional collaboration, allowing local libraries in the state to become "associates" of the state library, with access to its collections.
Erected 2007.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 42° 44.222′ N, 84° 33.124′ W. Marker is in Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Washington Square and East Shiawassee Street, on the right when traveling north on Washington Square. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Mid-Michigan. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Drs. Pearl Kendrick and Grace Eldering (within shouting distance of this marker); Mack-e-te-be-nessy Andrew J. Blackbird c. 1815-1908 (within shouting distance of this marker); 09.11.2001 (within shouting distance of this marker); Jonas Salk (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Crapo Billy Durant 1861-1947 (about 400 feet away); Elijah McCoy 1843-1929 (about 400 feet away); Supplying The World (about 400 feet away); Muzyad Yahkoob Danny Thomas (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lansing.
More about this marker. The marker is embedded in the sidewalk.
Also see . . . Mary C. Spencer.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 23, 2023
2. Mary Spencer Marker
In 1895, Michigan was the second state to create a system of traveling libraries, of which Spencer was a large proponent. Largely through her efforts, by 1902 there were over 700 traveling libraries with over 170,000 volumes. The program of traveling libraries, though eventually discontinued led to about 20 cities in Michigan creating public libraries. While still serving the library, she died on August 22, 1923.(Submitted on June 8, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed by Nathan Bierma, July 30, 2025
3. Mary Spencer Marker, looking southeast down Washington Square
Photographed by Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, circa 1921
4. Mary C. Spencer
Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on August 8, 2025, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Photos: 1. submitted on August 8, 2025, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 2. submitted on June 8, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3. submitted on August 8, 2025, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 4. submitted on June 8, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
