Flint Public Library (Flint, Michigan) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Flint Public Library (Flint, Michigan)
Flint Public Library Main Library
Country	United States
Type	Public library
Established	1851
Location	Flint Cultural Center, Flint, Michigan
Website	fpl.info

The Flint Public Library is a public library in Flint, Michigan. It helps people in Flint and the nearby areas. This library started way back in 1851. Its main building, located at the Flint Cultural Center, was built in 1958.

The library is famous for a few cool events. Since 1981, it has hosted the Michigan Storytellers Festival. It also holds the Julia A. Moore Poetry Contest every year since 1994. This contest celebrates funny or "bad" poetry! During the Flint water crisis, the library was a big help to the community. It even worked with StoryCorps to record stories from people who lived through it.

The Flint Public Library has many special collections. These include books and records about Flint and Genesee County. They also have collections on local African-American history and literature. You can find lots of information about genealogy (family history) here too. The library also has a special Michigan Collection and an Automotive History Collection. It's a great place for kids and teens, with sections just for them!

Discover the History of Flint Public Library

The Flint Public Library was started in 1851 by a group of women. They were very active in their community. At first, it was part of the Flint Board of Education. Over time, it grew into a library that serves Flint and its surrounding towns. In 1905, the library created its first collection just for children.

Fun Festivals and Contests

In 1981, the Flint Public Library started the Michigan Storytellers Festival. This festival has been held at the library and at Crossroads Village. Famous storytellers from all over the country have come to share their tales. These include the Georgia Sea Island Singers and Bil Lepp.

In 1994, the library began the Julia A. Moore Poetry Contest. This contest celebrates poetry that is so bad, it's good! It's named after Julia A. Moore, who was called "The Sweet Singer of Michigan." Some people even said she was "history's worst best-selling poet."

Helping the Community

In 2015, the library teamed up with a barbershop called A Kut Above. They created the Read-While-You-Wait Library. This was a collection of books for boys aged 4–10 to read while getting a haircut.

After the Flint water crisis, the library worked with StoryCorps. Starting in 2016, they recorded oral history interviews. These interviews captured the experiences of Flint residents during the crisis. The library was a key place for the community during this tough time. Its staff helped people find information and resources. It also connected donors from outside the city with local helpers.

In February 2020, the library closed for big renovations. It opened a temporary spot in July 2020 at Courtland Center in Burton.

Explore the Library's Collections

The Flint Public Library keeps many important collections. These include records and books about the City of Flint and Genesee County. You can also find materials on local African-American history and literature.

Special Collections for Everyone

The library's Michigan Collection is one of the largest in the state. It also has an Automotive History Collection. This is great for learning about cars and their history! The library has Michigan's second-largest collection for genealogy (family history). Volunteers from the Flint Genealogical Society are often there. They can help you research your own family tree for free! The library is also a Federal Depository Library. This means it has many government publications.

Sections for Kids and Teens

The Children's Section has over 50,000 books. These include both fiction and nonfiction stories. For older kids, there's "The Teen Zone." This area has books and resources just for teenagers. The library also has microfilm copies of The Flint Journal. This lets you read old newspapers.

The library also hosts a branch of the Michigan Legal Help Self-Help Center Network. They have "navigators" who can answer questions. They don't give legal advice, but they can guide you to helpful resources.

The Library Building

The main Flint Public Library building is on the west side of the Flint Cultural Center. It was designed by Sulho Alexander Nurmi and Louis C. Kingscott & Associates. The building was finished in 1958.

The library board plans a big renovation for the building. They want to make more of the space open to the public. They also want to expand the areas for children and teens. Plus, they plan to create a quiet zone. During the summer, the library hosts outdoor arts, blues, and storytelling festivals on its lawns.