Thanks to a generous donation from Laura R. (Withee) Bliss, Marshall District Library will begin construction of the MDL Area History Center, a room in the library for conducting family research, seeking local history information, and starting their own digitization projects. This center will contain materials from the Marshall area and surrounding communities. Regular library services will continue during this construction project.
FAQ
Why is Marshall District Library building a History Center?
Marshall District Library currently houses local history materials such as City Directories, Plat Maps, Yearbooks, and other items along the east side of the Adult Non-Fiction area and in a storage closet. For the last 15 years, MDL has worked on developing its local history and genealogy research services, including increasing our print and photo collections, digitizing local newspapers and yearbooks, and providing one-on-one assistance with a local history librarian. It has been a long-time dream to build a space that could be utilized by our library visitors for research, writing family histories, and digitizing their own family history materials.
Where will the History Center be built?
The MDL History Center will wall off a small portion of the current Adult Non-Fiction area and renovate a current storage closet to create a public space that is approximately 750 square feet. On the diagram to the right, this storage area is labeled “Book Binding & Digitization Stations.” Current shelving will be reused, and compact shelving will be added to another storage area.
What will the History Center include?
- Shelving and cabinets for printed historical materials
- Digital microfilm reader
- Book binding station
- Family history computer station
- Media conversion station with the ability to digitize VHS, cassettes, slides, and photos
- Overhead book scanner to create high-quality scans of printed materials
- High-quality photocopier/scanner
- Seating and tables for research
- Compact shelving and map case in local history storage area
Who is the Library working with on this project?
After a competitive bid process, construction of the Marshall Area History Center will be done by Schweitzer Inc. of Battle Creek, MI. Library furnishings will be provided by Library Design Associates of Canton, MI.
What is the timeline for this project?
The Library expects construction to begin in mid-January 2025. The construction process should take 8 weeks, with the Local History Center opening in March 2025. Marshall District Library began working on this project in December 2023 after a generous donation from the Laura R. Bliss Trust. Construction plans were created and revised before being approved in May 2024. The project was released to bid in August 2024, with bids due in October 2024.
What are the library’s future plans for local history services?
In addition to helping individuals research their own family history, Marshall District Library hopes to encourage residents and local organizations to use our digitization equipment to increase access to local historical materials. We aim to work with organizations and individuals to make these items accessible through the library’s website with permission from the owners. We are also working to digitize local newspapers from other rural areas in Calhoun County that have ties to the Marshall area.
How is this construction being funded?
Marshall District Library received a generous donation from Laura R. (Withee) Bliss, who passed away in 2023. We are grateful that she provided the funding through the Laura R. Bliss Trust for the development and enhancement of the MDL History Center, which will be enjoyed for generations to come. The Laura R. Bliss Trust will also provide funding for future local history projects such as the digitization of rural newspapers.
Who is Laura R. (Withee) Bliss?
According to Laura’s family, her love of reading and libraries started early due to encouragement from her mother, Eleanor M. (Rushford) Withee, a former Marshall Public Library employee in the 1930s, and her father, Alton B. Withee. She was a faithful supporter and patron of Marshall District Library all her life. Upon retirement as a purchasing manager at Denso in Battle Creek, Laura devoted much of her free time to her lifelong passion: conducting genealogical research on behalf of her family and friends.
Who should I contact for more information about this project?
For more information about this project or any services at Marshall District Library, please contact:
Angela Semifero, Library Director
269-781-7821 ext. 1100
semiferoa@yourmdl.org
Local History Room FAQ Brochure