On Sept. 17, the Wayne State University Libraries will launch michmemories.org, a centralized digital state portal that will make cultural content from Michigan libraries, archives and museums accessible online from one browsable location.

 “This portal will allow researchers, educators and anyone with an interest in Michigan history to search through hundreds of thousands of pieces of digital ephemera to learn more about diverse and traditionally underrepresented groups in Michigan history,” said Cole Hudson, Wayne State librarian and portal development manager. “There’s no other place like this, where users have access to so much Michigan history in a digital format.”

Last year, Wayne State was one of four institutions selected by the Library of Michigan to receive a $161,747 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Collaborative Library Services grant to create the portal in collaboration with LGBT Detroit, the Arab American National Museum and the Burton Collection at the Detroit Public Library to share content.

When michmemories.org launches, users will be able to browse the collections and click through to the institutions that hold the item to learn more or — in some cases — even purchase copies of the item. In 2019, the portal will launch several digital exhibits and build in resources specifically for educators to use the materials in their teaching.

The Library of Michigan LSTA Collaborative Library Services’ multi-year grant program provides Michigan public, academic and school libraries with the opportunity to develop innovative programs or services with the potential to develop into sustainable regional or statewide programs that can benefit a broad range of libraries. 

The Wayne State University Library System consists of the university's five libraries: The David Adamany Undergraduate Library, the Purdy/Kresge Library, the Shiffman Medical Library, the Arthur Neef Law Library and the Reuther Library as well as the School of Information Sciences.