Coldwater in Branch County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Michigan Library Association

By Duane Hall, May 17, 2013

1. Michigan Library Association Marker

Inscription. The first formal step toward the founding of a state library association was taken by Mary A. Eddy, of the Coldwater Free Public Library, in a letter to Henry M. Utley of the Detroit Public Library on January 13, 1891. They had discussed this matter at the 1890 meeting of the American Library Association in New Hampshire. A state association, they believed, would be helpful to Michigan librarians unable to attend national library conferences. Working closely with Lucy Ball, Grand Rapids Public Library, they awakened statewide interest and arranged the first Michigan meeting in Detroit, September 1, 1891. Mr. Utley became the association's first president.

Erected by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number S275.)

Marker series. This marker is included in the Michigan Historical Commission marker series.

Location. 41° 56.424′ N, 85° 0.016′ W. Marker is in Coldwater, Michigan, in Branch County. Marker is at the intersection of East Chicago Street (U.S. 12) and Division Street (Old U.S. 27), on the right when traveling east on East Chicago Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 E Chicago St, Coldwater MI 49036, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

Edwin R. Clarke Library Building image. Click for full size.

By Duane Hall, May 17, 2013

2. Edwin R. Clarke Library Building

walking distance of this marker. Richard L. Bettinger Memorial Gardens (a few steps from this marker); Coldwater War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Coldwater Michigan National Guard Armory Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The City of Coldwater, 1861-1961 (within shouting distance of this marker); Branch County World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Sam (within shouting distance of this marker); Loomis' Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank D. Newberry (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coldwater.

Categories. • Education •

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 14, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.