Exclusive Interview: Touring the Paulson Aviation Library @ Canton’s Mettetal Airport

Aerial photo of Mettetal Airport Canton (photo courtesy of Mettetal)

Mettetal Airport is a non-towered airport (ie: no control tower) that was founded in 1939 on 63 acres in Canton, Michigan. One of the hangars contains a rare resource in the form of Paulson Aviation Library.

John Maxfield, VP of EAA Chapter 113, graciously answered questions and provided a fascinating tour.

“We have about 3,500 volumes. The library was started in 2002 and is hyper-focused on all things aviation. Our main librarian is Barb Cook but she’s on vacation right now. And yes, this is a functional library, Dewey catalogued and everything.”

Paulson Aviation Library @ Canton’s Mettetal Airport (photo by Ryan M. Place)

“The library features mostly books. Non-fiction, biographical, military, reference & technical manuals. We also have vintage journals, flight manuals, various ephemera, photos, DVDs and VHS tapes.”

“Some classic standard books we have are Stick and Rudder (1944), We (1927) Lindbergh, and Carrying the Fire (1974). I’m currently looking for a decent copy of Sled Driver (1991) by Brian Schul.”

“The founder of our library, Robert Paulson, was a Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol. He was a CAP Chaplain, lived in Dearborn, and was parish priest at Church of the Holy Cross in Novi. He was also a book enthusiast and initially started this library by donating his own personal collection. He didn’t own an airplane, so this was his main project. And it’s grown over the years mostly via donations.”

“Mettetal Airport was started by Bob Mettetal. He was a bomber pilot in WWII. His brother Marv (Marvin) was also a pilot. The Mettetal family owned the land since 1920 when it was purchased by Bob’s dad Raphael (Ray) Mettetal. They had a greenhouse and decided to build an airport. Currently, Mettetal is mostly a recreation airport for enthusiasts, and it’s also used by corporations and air ambulances. It’s owned by MDOT Office of Aeronautics.”

Robert Mettetal @ Mettetal Airport Canton (photo courtesy of Google Archives)

“The State of Michigan has made a couple of incredible historic contributions to the field of aviation. In the 1920’s-30’s, Ford Motor Company invented commercial airline travel with the Ford-Trimotor Airplane. What is now Ford Proving Ground (Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn) used to be the Ford Airport, which had one of the world’s first paved runways. The Dearborn Inn across the street was one of the first air travel hotels. And the other contribution was of course the Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti during World War Two.”

“Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is the world’s largest recreation sport aviation association. EAA Chapter 113 was founded here at Mettetal in 1961. Our nickname is the Backyard Eagles. Anyone from the general public can join. Legally, the chapter cannot own an airworthy airplane but flying clubs can form within. Our chapter has 4 flying clubs with 7 airplanes, mostly single-engine Cessnas.”

“We host interesting speakers monthly every 3rd Thursday. We’ve had authors, parachute riggers, aviation medics, astronauts, military personnel, etc. And our Young Eagles program offers free airplane rides for those aged 8-17. We do this four times per year.”

Paulson Aviation Library @ Canton’s Mettetal Airport (photo by Ryan M. Place)

Donate your aviation books (they may possibly purchase exceptionally rare items)

[email protected]

Paulson Aviation Library is available by appointment and also during regular gatherings (3rd Thurs of the month, 7:30pm) and events (see calendar on their website).

Paulson Aviation Library @ Mettetal Airport

8550 N. Lilley Road

Canton, MI 48187

EAA Chapter 113 @ Mettetal Airport

https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa113

Young Eagles

https://www.yeday.org/

EAA Chapter 113 @ Mettetal Airport Canton (photo courtesy of EAA)

Mettetal Airport records @ Plymouth Historical Museum

https://plymouthhistory.org/cm/dpl/downloads/content/57/Mettetal_Airport_RG_5_.pdf

Genealogy info for Mettetal Family

https://www.oocities.org/heartland/hills/8073/tiny1.html

Directory of Michigan Airports

https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/travel/mobility/aeronautics/airports

Col. Robert W. Paulson @ Mettetal Airport

Robert Paulson comments on NW Crash

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/08/17/Investigators-today-tentatively-ruled-out-sabotage-aboard-a-Northwest/1893556171200/

Robert Paulson obituary

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/detroitnews/name/robert-paulson-obituary?id=41424130

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83855512/robert-waldron-paulson

Some other interesting aviation libraries to check out:

MI-Kzoo-WMU’s Waldo Library-flight simulator lab
OH-Dayton-Museum of the USAF
WashDC-Smithsonian Ntl Air and Space Museum library (40,000 volumes)
WA-Seattle-Museum of Flight’s Bracklin Library (36,000 volumes)
TX-UT Dallas-McDermott Lib-Aviation Archives

Paulson Aviation Library @ Canton’s Mettetal Airport (photo by Ryan M. Place)

Sonex 2012 airplane built by John Maxfield. 130 mph cruising speed (photo courtesy of John Maxfield)

Col. Robert W. Paulson

Paulson Aviation Library

Flight simulator @ Paulson Aviation Library @ Canton’s Mettetal Airport

Mettetal Airport (Canton, Michigan)

Barb Cook, librarian at Paulson Aviation Library @ Canton’s Mettetal Airport

John Maxfield, VP of EAA Chapter 113 @ Canton’s Mettetal Airport (photo by John Maxfield)

Mettetal Airport Canton archives (courtesy of Google Archives)

John Maxfield @ Mettetal Airport Canton archives (courtesy of Google Archives)

Proposed airplane mechanics school @ Mettetal Airport Canton archives (courtesy of Google Archives)

Robert Mettetal @ Mettetal Airport Canton archives (courtesy of Google Archives)

Mettetal Airport Canton archives (courtesy of Google Archives)

Michigan State Police at Mettetal Airport Canton (photo courtesy of MSP)

News Media about Detroit Festival of Books (aka: Detroit Bookfest)

6th annual Detroit Festival of Books in July 2023 at Eastern Market’s Shed 5 in Detroit (photo by Debbie Maciolek)

This is a collection of various news media pieces about Detroit Festival of Books (aka: Detroit Bookfest):

2024

Detroit News (2024)

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/2024/07/17/things-to-do-this-weekend-in-metro-detroit/74427331007/

Detroit Free Press (2024)

https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/nightlife/2024/07/18/ann-arbor-art-fair-festival-things-to-do-detroit/74440390007/

Michigan Public (2024)

https://www.michiganpublic.org/show/stateside/2024-07-17/stateside-wednesday-july-17-2024

Eastern Michigan University (2024)

https://today.emich.edu/story/story/12748

Live in the D (2024)

https://www.clickondetroit.com/video/live-in-the-d/2024/07/12/heart-of-detroit-birdie-s-bookmobile-on-live-in-the-d/

Fox 2 News (2024)

https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/1474575

Redfin (2024)

https://www.redfin.com/blog/detroit-mi-bucket-list/

DBusiness (2024)

https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/dbusiness-daily-update-detroit-festival-of-books-to-expand-in-2024-and-more/

Visit Detroit (2024)

https://visitdetroit.com/events/7th-annual-detroit-festival-of-books/#:~:text=7th%20annual%20Detroit%20Bookfest%20Sunday,%2Dday%20six%2Dhour%20event

2023

CBS News Detroit (2023)

https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-festival-of-books-returns-for-6th-year-in-eastern-market/

Fox 2 Detroit (2023)

https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/1252416

WXYZ Detroit (2023)

https://www.wxyz.com/news/political/spotlight-on-the-news/spotlight-on-the-news-oakland-county-small-business-loans-detroit-bookfest

WDIV ClickonDetroit (2023)

https://www.clickondetroit.com/video/news/2023/07/17/6th-annual-detroit-festival-of-books-held-at-eastern-market/

Fine Books Magazine (2023)

https://www.finebooksmagazine.com/events/book-club-detroit-presents-6th-annual-detroit-festival-books-2023-07-16

2022

Detroit News (2022)

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/books/2022/07/14/family-friendly-day-events-eastern-market-detroit-bookfest/7702727001/

Detroit Free Press (2022)

https://www.freep.com/picture-gallery/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/07/17/michigan-authors-showcase-books-detroit-festival-books/10082858002/

Photos from the 6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market

Debbie Maciolek is the Official Photographer for Detroit Festival of Books

The 6th annual Detroit Festival of Books (aka: Detroit Bookfest) took place on Sunday, July 16, 2023 at Eastern Market Shed 5 in Detroit.

These photos are courtesy of Detroit photographer Debbie Maciolek and her company DEBOGRAPHY .

Debbie says:

“I had an absolute blast at Detroit Bookfest! Really enjoyed it, especially meeting the book dealers and authors and listening to all the great conversations. Thank you to all the people who interacted with me and helped me get great shots. It was a very diverse crowd of vendors and attendees and I loved seeing all the books, smiles, great food, records, hearing the funk music and I look forward to going next year!”

Debography Email

[email protected]

Debography Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/debographyphotography/

Debography Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/DebographyPics/

Debography Twitter

https://twitter.com/debography

6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

Darren McCarty @ 6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

Deon Forrest @ 6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

John King @ 6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

Ilana Berry @ 6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

Birdie’s Bookmobile @ 6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

Ryan M. Place and Lonni Thomas @ 6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market Shed 5 (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

These photos shot on the Bookfest pocket cam by the Committee

Detroit artist RACHEL QUINLAN does it again with ‘The Escape’ her exclusive painting to celebrate Detroit Bookfest

Detroit artist Rachel Quinlan does it again!

Rachel is the Creative Director for the Detroit Festival of Books and she recently finished her amazing new piece, entitled ‘The Escape‘, made with watercolor, ink, gouache, and digital.

Rachel is an exceptionally talented artist and she will be selling artwork and posters and other goodies at Detroit Bookfest.

You can purchase limited exclusive prints of this artwork from Rachel at Bookfest!

Come buy some of her amazing creations!

Rachel Quinlan Homepage

https://www.rachelquinlan.com/

Buy prints, originals & pins here

https://www.rachelquinlan.com/shop/

Rachel Quinlan Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/rachelquinlanart/

Detroit artist RACHEL QUINLAN Creates Fantastic New Bookfest Logo!

Brilliant Detroit will operate “reading lounge” during Detroit Bookfest featuring live readings of children’s stories

Brilliant Detroit at Detroit Bookfest

The Detroit Festival of Books continues to offer more and more programming for children, thanks in part to the presence of Brilliant Detroit, a local non-profit organization focused on boosting children’s literacy, which returns to Bookfest for the third straight year this July.

Brilliant Detroit operates 15 open family hubs in communities throughout Detroit. Its neighborhood-based approach ensures programs and services meet the needs of neighbors and support the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of their young children.

Brilliant Detroit at Detroit Bookfest

Brilliant Detroit will operate a “reading lounge” at Detroit Bookfest that will offer:

Live readings of children’s stories throughout the day
Opportunities for children to play (and learn how to play) Book Bingo
Information about Detroit Reads!, its summer citywide reading initiative. Attendees can grab a schedule to learn about Detroit Reads!’ weekly activities, programming, pop-up author visits, and storytelling, and Brilliant Detroit’s high-dosage tutoring
Information on enrolling in Brilliant Detroit’s year-round programming
Information on volunteer and fundraising opportunities with the organization

“We are overjoyed that Brilliant Detroit is returning to Bookfest this year,” said Ryan M. Place, Bookfest’s founder and chairman. “Literacy is of paramount importance, and organizations such as Brilliant Detroit enrich children’s lives and help them build a bright future.”

“Annually the Detroit Festival of Books continues to exemplify how our city is full of readers, and this year we are so excited to be one of the many youth-focused literacy partners, who together will create a truly special experience for Detroit’s budding book lovers,” said Cindy Eggleton, CEO and co-founder of Brilliant Detroit. “The heart of our mission is the concept that communities can help every child be successful in life through literacy… Our hope is everyone will join us at Eastern Market to celebrate reading and learn how Detroit can become a city where every child reads at grade level!”

Homepage

https://brilliantdetroit.org/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/BrilliantDetroit/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/brilliantdetroit/

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Exclusive Interview: Touring the Paulson Aviation Library @ Canton’s Mettetal Airport

Some other interesting aviation libraries to check out:

News Media about Detroit Festival of Books (aka: Detroit Bookfest)

2024

2023

2022

Photos from the 6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2023 @ Eastern Market

These photos shot on the Bookfest pocket cam by the Committee

Detroit artist RACHEL QUINLAN does it again with ‘The Escape’ her exclusive painting to celebrate Detroit Bookfest

You can purchase limited exclusive prints of this artwork from Rachel at Bookfest!

Brilliant Detroit will operate “reading lounge” during Detroit Bookfest featuring live readings of children’s stories

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