Connecting Michigan Libraries: The Importance of MeL, MeLCat, and RIDES

The Library of Michigan in Lansing, Michigan (photo courtesy of LoM)

Why are books written, collected, read, and re-read? Since the world’s first library, the Library of Ashurbanipal (Iraq, 600’s BC), humans have been collecting their thoughts and impressions into books, thereby helping each other achieve breakthrough insights, peak experiences, and unleashed imaginations.

Fast forward some 2,600 years and hundreds of millions of books later. Libraries are still important, still relevant, and still changing lives.

I wanted to write this article as a reminder to the good people of Michigan how good we have it in terms of easy access to great libraries.

Michigan eLibrary MeL

Thanks to the combined efforts of the Library of Michigan and the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) and a vast array of other partners, we have resources like MeL, MeLCat, and RIDES.

Serving over 10 million Michigan residents statewide is no easy feat. The basis of this network is a statewide interlibrary loan service. The Library of Michigan’s eLibrary (MeL) has two components: the eResources and MeLCat (the catalog), supported by the Regional Interlibrary Delivery Service (RIDES).

What this means is that your local library card is also an all-access pass to borrowing books for free from hundreds of participating libraries.

In this article, we’re going to hear from Randy Riley (State Librarian), Tara Kanon (MeLCat Support Specialist & Statewide Delivery Coordinator), and Scott Garrison (MCLS Executive Director). Each of these individuals occupies a pivotal role at a critical juncture in this constantly moving mandala of books.

Randy Riley

I’m sitting inside Randy’s office on the 5th floor of the Library of Michigan in Lansing. This five-story, 250,000-square foot building houses several treasures, including the Rare Book Room and State Archives.

Randy has been a librarian since 1989. He is THE Librarian for the entire state, and he has kindly taken time out of his exceedingly busy schedule to chat with me.

Randy Riley, State Librarian at the Library of Michigan in Lansing, Michigan (photo courtesy of LoM)

Let’s hear from Randy:

“I grew up in mid-Michigan, graduated Ionia High School, then University of Michigan. Started my career in education as a history-government teacher at the Valley School (Grand Blanc). After a few years, I transitioned into the library field, working in Special Collections (the genealogy and family history center), and became State Librarian in 2014. Fortunately, I’ve worked with some phenomenal people over the years and have had many great experiences.”

“As the main library for the State of Michigan, our development policy is we primarily collect the printed history of Michigan and build collections that serve our great state. Mostly donations, occasional acquisitions. We are also a central resource for the many topics of state government. And we oversee aid payments to libraries, along with training and consulting for librarians.”

“The Library of Michigan has three core units: Special Collections, Library Development, and Technical & Access Services. Special Collections are the books and other materials. Library Development is how we help other Michigan Libraries, and Technical & Access Services is the cataloging and processing side of the business.”

“The Michigan e-Library (MeL) is the premier program of the Library Development office. MeL contains over 80 e-resources and is a big part of what we do. MeLCat is the union catalog where you can request items.”

The Library of Michigan in Lansing, Michigan (photo courtesy of LoM)

“Around one million items circulate annually among 420+ libraries statewide. When I started, the famed $100 reference book was a big deal. MeL has helped level the playing field in terms of easy on-demand access.”

“The inception of MeL can be traced to the early 1990’s. There was the Go-M link at the University of Michigan, then it came to the Library of Michigan in the mid-90’s and took shape as an actual database in 1998 when Access Michigan was created. This morphed into MeL and in 2005, MeLCat was added thanks to our wonderful partnership with MCLS.”

“For the majority of libraries in Michigan, MeL is their main database content. You can also access it online right now from anywhere. MeL completes about 20-30 million data retrievals annually, meaning that specific information was successfully located for 94% of these requests.”

“MeL presents the user with high-quality information from subject matter experts. For example, some of the most popular of the 80 databases are: Opposing Viewpoints (Gale Cengage database used heavily by schools), NoveList Plus (book discussion group; guides to almost 30,000 books of fiction), and the A to Z database (general business info).”

“We receive $1.75 million dollars per year from the state to run MeL, along with $4.5 million dollars from IMLS grants, thanks to the LSTA Act.”

“The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is an independent agency in federal government and they help us with funding. When calculated for ROI, for every dollar spent, the general public gets $26 in return, which is significant. We also use some federal funds for sub-grants to libraries, meaning that a few dozen libraries can each receive up to $25,000 per year.”

“Overall, MeL is a tremendous resource featuring a wealth of options for anyone to explore. Libraries from Monroe to Escanaba use it heavily. MeLCat allows you to borrow from libraries that are 500 miles away!”

“Libraries are community centers, not just book warehouses. A healthy library has many facets, including being a place of refuge for everyone from kids to adults of any economic status.”

“In my 35 years as a librarian, I’ve witnessed constant unstoppable change, driven by technology. For example, generative AI is coming so fast, that librarians who embrace and understand it will have an advantage over those who balk at it and ignore it, hoping it’ll go away. There is a working group called State Libraries and AI Technologies (SLAAIT) figuring out how to best handle AI.”

“Books and getting them into people’s hands is still vitally important to society. Working in libraries, you see firsthand the transformational power of the written word. Libraries exist to provide opportunities to people and make their lives better and I’m thrilled every single day to be a part of this.”

Tara Kanon

Tara Kanon is the statewide delivery coordinator for RIDES. She has graciously allowed me a rare peek into the process. I’m walking through a cavernous warehouse with her and some staff from RIDES courier ProMed Delivery, Inc.

We are witnessing an amazing feat of logistics and boots-on-the-ground hard work from dedicated people ferrying shrink-wrapped pallets of books.

Tara Kanon and team at RIDES hub warehouse in Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)

Let’s hear from Tara:

“The Regional Interlibrary Delivery Service (RIDES) is a statewide courier service for Michigan libraries. Some 300-400 couriers physically drive the books around the state to and from the various libraries. ProMed Delivery, Inc. provides delivery service to the Lower Peninsula, and they coordinate with another courier to provide delivery service in the Upper Peninsula.”

“There are six main regional warehouses statewide, and a transfer site for materials moving between the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula. The central Detroit hub is our largest. When someone requests a book or other item, it goes from the library to the closest warehouse hub where it gets sorted, sub-sorted, then routed to the requesters library via courier.”

RIDES hub warehouse in Detroit (photo by Ryan M. Place)

“Each library has its own 3-digit RIDES code identifier. Any library can choose to participate in the RIDES program. However, there is a small cost for libraries to join. Libraries can also choose to be a no-pack library (no packaging) if they want. We work with libraries of all sizes. Certain algorithms are in place to ensure request balancing, so that lending and borrowing doesn’t fall on any one library.”

“Materials are manually sorted by hub into green RIDES totes. There are three different sizes: large, medium, and very small. The max weight is 40 pounds per tote. An estimated 15,000 MeLCat materials move through the RIDES system daily. Audio visual material is double bubble wrapped.”

“MCLS manages the RIDES label maker. There are over 740 library names on the RIDES label maker. MCLS contracts with ProMed Delivery, Inc. to provide delivery. Many drivers themselves are independent contractors.”

Scott Garrison

Scott is the Executive Director of the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS). He is kindly chatting on the phone with me.

Let’s hear from Scott:

“The Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (known as MCLS) operates in Michigan and Indiana.”

“MCLS exists to help support libraries. We promote collaboration, engagement, innovation, learning, and more for libraries. We work with a variety of other organizations across the library landscape by offering collective e-licensing, consulting, training programs, and much more.”

“We’re very proud of our strong relationship with the Library of Michigan, with whom we contract to support MeL for millions of citizens across Michigan. . Our staff take the trust that the Library of Michigan and hundreds of libraries across the state have placed in us very, very seriously, and we take pride in serving libraries the best we possibly can. The MeLCat and other servers we maintain are at an IT co-location facility in Lansing, and are currently undergoing significant upgrades to bring them more up to date. MCLS serves and supports libraries of all sizes and types, from smaller academic to larger academic, school, public, special (i.e., hospitals and law firms), and the state libraries in Indiana and Michigan.”

“MCLS created and administers RIDES, which enables over 400 libraries to move over 1 million items back and forth to the Upper Peninsula and all around the state on a constant basis. Since we have two peninsulas, each with its own courier, Michigan is one of the most complex, multi-type resource sharing environments for libraries in the entire country.”

Final Thoughts

Michigan library card

I hope looking through this small window into an enormously vast network and what it takes to run it, has increased your appreciation for not only your local library but for libraries in general.

Many thanks to Randy, Scott, and Tara for taking the time to help us understand and appreciate the intricacies of the Michigan library system.

If you are a Michigan resident and don’t have a membership card to your local library, make it a priority to go there this week and get one. Use the Michigan Library Directory to locate the nearest public library to you. If you are a Michigan library, make sure you look into joining MeLCat.

Fun Bonus:

Cool items from the Library of Michigan’s Griffiths Rare Book Room (4th floor)

Library of Michigan’s Griffiths Rare Book Room (photo courtesy of Googchives)

According to Adam Oster, Community Engagement Librarian at the Library of Michigan, here are some cool items:

“The oldest item is from 1490. It’s called “Statham’s abridgement of the law” and it’s a collection of English law translated into French.

When it comes to other unique items in the Rare collection, we have a fairly complete set of the “The Michigan Suffragist” newsletter of the Michigan Equal Suffrage Association. A great feature within most issues of the newsletter is the County Reports section where the work be performed for the suffrage movement within individual Michigan counties is highlighted, including where individual people are listed.

Statham’s Abridgement of the Law circa 1490 book @ Library of Michigan’s Griffiths Rare Book Room (photo courtesy of Googchives)

Some other interesting items, according to Matt Pacer, Reference Librarian at the Library of Michigan:

The American woods : exhibited by actual specimens and with copious explanatory text / by Romeyn B. Hough. Published in 1892. Most of the pages are cross sections of the varying woods of North America. You can see the color and grain.

Mapping my world : buildings + bridges / Laura Davidson. Published 2002. A pop-up book. One can think of it as more of an art piece with pop-ups of Michigan bridges and buildings.

Addresses of Abraham Lincoln. (miniature book). Published 1929. It is about 2cm. So, about the size of the knuckle to top of thumb. A representative sample of a book that would have been purchased as a memento/keepsake. One needs at least a magnifying glass to read it.

Hough’s Woods book circa 1892 @ Library of Michigan’s Griffiths Rare Book Room (photo courtesy of Googchives)

As for acquisitions/donations, there are several reasons we would add a book to our rare collection. For the above three books, we want to ensure that many future generations of Michigan residents and researchers have access to these items. If you have other questions, please ask.

Make a Gift

www.Michigan.gov/LibraryGift

Temperature-controlled closed-stacks room which houses the rare book collection at Library of Michigan (photo by Library of Michigan)

Donate rare Michigan yearbooks to the Library of Michigan

“The Michigan Suffragist” newsletter of the Michigan Equal Suffrage Association, which is housed in the Rare Book Room at the Library of Michigan (photo courtesy of Library of Michigan)

Photos from the 7th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2024 @ Eastern Market

7th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2024 @ Eastern Market in Detroit, Michigan (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

The 7th annual Detroit Festival of Books (aka: Detroit Bookfest) took place on Sunday, July 21, 2024 at Eastern Market 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

7th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2024 @ Eastern Market in Detroit, Michigan (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

Melanie Slank at 7th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2024 @ Eastern Market in Detroit, Michigan (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

7th Annual Detroit Festival of Books 2024 @ Eastern Market in Detroit, Michigan (photo by: Debbie Maciolek, aka: Debography) Detroit Bookfest

Detroit Bookfest 2024 Festival Guide

Detroit Bookfest 2019 (photo by Ryan M. Place)

The Detroit Festival of Books, aka: Detroit Bookfest, is a FREE annual in-person event at Eastern Market in Detroit, Michigan.

Eastern Market

Shed 5 (also Shed 4, DTE Plaza, and the Russell Lot)

2934 Russell Street

Detroit, MI 48207

Sunday, July 21, 2024

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/DetroitBookfest

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/detbookfest/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/64706023

Photos from 2023 Bookfest

https://detroitbookfest.com/6th-annual-detroit-bookfest-photos-2023/

Eastern Market Detroit map

The phrase “Eastern Market” refers to both the large district/neighborhood and also the series of Sheds owned by the city of Detroit and run by the Eastern Market Partnership non-profit organization.

Opened in 1891, Eastern Market is the largest historic public market in the United States.

Featuring 43 acres of space, Eastern Market is comprised of a series of indoor and outdoor sheds which function as thriving year-round consumer markets.

This year, Detroit Bookfest will be located inside Shed 5 where vendors will be selling all sorts of books (ie: used, rare, antiquarian, authors, children’s, new, unusual, ephemera, etc), comic books, vinyl LP records, creative arts, and more.

Detroit Festival of Books (photo by Debography)

DJ Seven Whales will be providing the vibes.

Debbie Maciolek will be documenting the experience with her keen and perceptive eye.

Food trucks such as Sonny’s Hamburgers and Tacos Hernandez will be located south of Shed 5.

Char’latte Coffee Company: Two Metro Detroit sisters are bringing their Mobile Coffee Cart to Detroit Bookfest

Brilliant Detroit will be in the DTE Plaza on the westside of Shed 5, along Russell Street

The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau’s D-Rover van will be outside Shed 5.

Pong Detroit, the ping-pong social club, will be wheeling some ping-pong tables over to Bookfest!

Deon Forrest (aka: Greektown Hotbox) Detroit’s own world-famous street performer will be live on Russell Street (at Alfred Street) outside Detroit Bookfest.

Detroit’s own Arts & Scraps is bringing the ScrapMobile to Bookfest! Kids will be able to build their own books here!

Birdie’s Bookmobile will be in the DTE Plaza outside Shed 5.

826michigan will be in the DTE Plaza outside Shed 5.

Detroit artist Rachel Quinlan created an exclusive painting for Detroit Bookfest

And more!

Health and safety is our #1 concern.

Whatever safety protocols are in place on Bookfest Day, we will be following them 100%.

We ultimately have no idea what to expect this year but we will do our absolute best to make it fun and safe.

JR Jones and Lonni Thomas, two of Eastern Market’s finest and also members of the Detroit Bookfest Committee (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Our festival footprint has grown to include:

The Official Bookfest Afterparty down the street at Eastern Market Brewing Company (runs 10am-6pm)

https://detroitbookfest.com/bookfest-afterparty-embc/

Please explore the Detroit Bookfest Festival Guide below.

We also encourage you to make a day of it and explore the entire Eastern Market district, which is packed with hundreds of fun shops, restaurants, and experiences.

Eastern Market’s Shed 5 Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Here’s our totally professional graphic designer-approved not flawed in any way screenshot MAP of the Bookfest Festival Footprint

Detroit Bookfest festival map

Eastern Market Brewing Company

2515 Riopelle Street

Located three blocks southeast of Shed 5, Eastern Market Brewing Company (EMBC) is one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Market.

Currently, the street they’re on, Riopelle, is closed to vehicle traffic. It is pedestrian-only and they have tables in the street, food tent, live DJ Sam Morykwas, and of course beer, glorious beer.

Some of their most popular beers are:

Elephant Juice, Market Day IPA, Mae Blanc, Wonderboy, and White Coffee Stout

Bookfest Afterparty

https://detroitbookfest.com/bookfest-afterparty-embc/

Beer list

https://easternmarket.beer/beers/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/easternmarketbrewing/

Special thanks to Dayne Bartscht (owner) and his team

Eastern Market Brewing Company Detroit (photo courtesy of EMBC)

EMBC Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Pong Detroit

This afterhours ping-pong social club is located inside Bert’s Warehouse (2739 Russell Street)

Pong Detroit

The brainchild of former Honolulu-based radio DJ and pong enthusiast Mal Lang, their slogan is “unplug and play.”

Mal says, “Soccer is # 1 and table tennis is the # 2 participant sport in world. Table tennis is huge in China, India, Europe (especially Sweden & Germany).”

Bert’s Warehouse also features a comedy club, kitchen, and bar, so you can drink and pong all night long.

Lessons are available and they will be doing wheelchair table tennis soon.

Their other slogan is “Food, drinks, music and pong.”

Hours

Tuesday-Thursday

5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Cost

$10/hr from 5-7pm, then $15/hr 7pm-11pm

Homepage

http://pongdetroit.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pongdetroit/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/pongdetroit/

Thanks to Mal Lang (owner)

Pong Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Pong Detroit

Pong Detroit inside Bert’s Warehouse (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Michigan shaped ping pong paddle (courtesy of Pong Detroit)

Bert’s Warehouse Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

The Dequindre Cut

Closest entrance located at 3017 Orleans Street.

“The Cut,” as it’s called is a lovely greenway/urban recreational pathway for walking, biking, jogging.

It is 2-miles long and runs from the Detroit Riverfront to the northern tip of Eastern Market.

Near the Wilkins/Orleans entrance, you can find the Freight Yard Bar, this is an outdoor bar made out of shipping containers.

To get to the bar:

Enter at Orleans St & Wilkins St, walk down to the Cut, make a right, then it’s down on your left.

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/DequindreCutFreightYard

Dequindre Cut (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Dequindre Cut Map

Dequindre Cut (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Dequindre Cut Freight Yard bar (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Dequindre Cut (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert @ Dequindre Cut Freightyard Bar (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Detroit City Distillery

2462 Riopelle Street

The Riopelle taproom of DCD is down the street from Eastern Market Brewing Company.

Here you will find a lively outdoor vibe, including music, cocktails and food from Midnight Temple, the Indian gastropub located above DCD. (hint: try the tandoori wings and gobi rollup).

Homepage

https://www.detroitcitydistillery.com/

Midnight Temple

https://www.midnighttemple.com/

Special thanks to JP Jerome (co-founder), Mike Forsyth (co-founder), Akash Sudhakara (Midnight Temple)

Detroit City Distillery (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Midnight Temple Indian food Detroit (photo courtesy of Yelp)

The Eastern (event venue)

3434 Russell Street

The Eastern is a lovely 5,000-square foot industrial space you can rent out for special events.

Built in 1888, this is the old Hook and Ladder # 5 fire station. The Eastern has capacity for 300 seated or 600+ strolling and a 3,000 square foot outdoor patio.

Note: The entrance is not directly on Russell St, rather the main entrance is located on the north side of the building next to Wasserman Art Gallery.

Homepage

http://www.theeasterndetroit.com/

Virtual Tour

http://www.theeasterndetroit.com/virtual-tour

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/theeastern

The Eastern event space Detroit (courtesy The Eastern)

Elsewhere in the Eastern Market district….

Eastern Market sculpture at Orleans and Erskine (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Eastern Market graffiti on Orleans Street, north of Erskine (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Eastern Market graffiti on Orleans Street, north of Winder (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Eastern Market graffiti on Orleans Street, north of Alfred (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Dyno Indoor Climbing Gym

3500 Orleans Street

This place is really cool! Inside you will find 12-15 foot tall boulders and a 49 foot tall rope section.

You can get a day pass, punch pass, or membership.

Climbers must be over 4 years old and you have to be over 16 years old to belay.

Homepage

https://www.dynodetroit.com/

Special thanks to Dino Ruggeri (owner)

Dyno indoor climbing gym (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

Dyno indoor climbing gym (photo courtesy of Dyno)

Dorais Park Velodrome

601 Mack Avenue

Located on the NW edge of the Eastern Market district, this is also another really cool place!

Inside the 64,000 square foot dome you will find an indoor wooden bicycle track.

Bicyclists beware, you can actually go up to 50mph on your bicycle inside here!

Homepage

https://lexusvelodrome.com/

Special thanks to Dale Hughes (owner)

Dorais Park Velodrome (photo courtesy of the Velodrome)

Dorais Park Velodrome (photo by: Ryan M. Place)

That’s not everything in Eastern Market.

Merely a small sampling of some of the fun and exciting things you can do.

Be sure to explore the entire district and enjoy your experience in Detroit!

Top 10 Tips for Detroit Bookfest Attendees

Top 10 Tips for Detroit Bookfest Attendees!

The annual Detroit Festival of Books (aka: Detroit Bookfest) will be held on Sunday, July 21, 2024 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Eastern Market’s Shed 5.

FREE ENTRY for attendees!

Detroit Bookfest is a glorious day of BOOKS, records, comics, creative arts, food, drinks, funk music and exploring Detroit’s incredible Eastern Market District.

The district is anchored by the actual Eastern Market itself, which is a series of large consumer sheds.

Be sure to check out our Official Detroit Bookfest Afterparty from 10am-8pm, which is located a few blocks Southeast at Eastern Market Brewing Company

https://detroitbookfest.com/bookfest-afterparty-embc/

We encourage everyone to check out the Official Detroit Bookfest Festival Guide

https://detroitbookfest.com/detroit-bookfest-festival-guide/

Top 10 Tips for Detroit Bookfest Attendees!

Top 10 Tips for Detroit Bookfest Attendees

1.) Every vendor is on their own in terms of cash flow and providing change. There is no centralized market bank. Please help the vendors out by bringing small bills, if you can. $1’s, $5’s, $10’s will be needed. Yes, there are two nearby ATM’s (ie: Shed 5 northern exterior wall and also the Chase Bank across the street). Several vendors should have the ability to accept credit card payments on their smartphones, however, we are not sure that all of them will have this ability.

2.) There will be vendors inside Shed 5, Shed 4, and outside both sheds. And there will be the Community Activities area outside Shed 5 along Russell Street. Please check out both! There will also be music, food trucks, ping-pong, and more!

3.) Wear a pair of good, comfortable walking shoes. We encourage you to make a day of it and check out the fabulous Eastern Market District, which is packed with a ton of great eateries, bars and stores of all sorts. If you haven’t already, please read our Official Detroit Bookfest Festival Guide.

https://detroitbookfest.com/detroit-bookfest-festival-guide/

4.) This event is all-weather, so dress accordingly. Dress comfortably and casually. Watch the weather forecast and if you think you may need an umbrella, please bring one.

5.) Make sure you check out our food vendors on Alfred Street on the south side of Shed 5.

Bookfest Food Vendors

https://detroitbookfest.com/bookfest-food-trucks/

Top 10 Tips for Detroit Bookfest Attendees!

6.) Parking is plentiful, however, it is scattered around the Eastern Market district. Make sure you plan accordingly. You can drop people off, park, then get the car and pick them up, if you need to. Eastern Market oftentimes handles even larger events which get 150,000+ people at them, so there are places to park, just be prepared to walk a little bit.

7.) Public restrooms are located inside Shed 5 and spread throughout Eastern Market. If there are long lines at one, walk over to another bathroom.

8.) This event is all-ages. The love of books can start at any age, so parents, bring your family and always remember to keep an eye on your children. There will be several children’s activities going on in the Community Activities area outside Shed 5, including a book donation drive. If you have any kids books to donate, please bring them!

9.) Warning: grooveilicious FUNK MUSIC might make you feel the unexpected urge to boogie. If you feel like dancing, then dance!

10.) We are tremendously excited about this event and feel it is an important and positive happening for Detroit and Michigan and the world of books and many other things. Please help us spread the word on your favorite social media websites by posting photos and telling people about your experience.

THANK YOU! We love you all and hope everyone has a great time!

And pull out your calendars…

The 8th Annual Detroit Festival of Books will be on Sunday, July 20th, 2025.

Top 10 Tips for Detroit Bookfest Attendees!

Official Detroit Bookfest Blockparty Afterparty at Eastern Mkt Brewing Co. (July 21, 2024)

BEER!

Official Detroit Bookfest Afterparty at Eastern Mkt Brewing Co.

Sunday, July 21, 2024

10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

No cover charge!

https://www.facebook.com/events/730159429008889/

In celebration of the annual Detroit Festival of Books (aka Detroit Bookfest), EMBC will be opening early on Sunday, July 16th for the Official Detroit Bookfest Afterparty!

Located three blocks southeast of Shed 5, Eastern Market Brewing Company (EMBC) is one of the most popular destinations in the Eastern Market district.

Currently, the street they’re on, Riopelle, is closed to vehicle traffic. It is pedestrian-only and they will have tables in the street, food, live DJ, and of course beer.

Shed 5 to EMBC Detroit

Some of their most popular beers are:

Wunderboi (kolsch), Elephant Juice (hazy IPA), Pineapple Market Day (fruited session IPA). And they now offer pepperoni pizza slices inside!

https://easternmarket.beer/beers/

Eastern Market Brewing Co Detroit top beers

LIVE blues music courtesy of the Detroit Blues Society. They will be set up on Riopelle Street directly in front of EMBC’s main window.

Lineup:

10 am to noon: Blues records

Noon to 1 pm: Leonardo-Country Blues

1:15 to 2:15: Sweet Willie Tea

2:30 to 3:30: The Royal Oak Blues Band (4-piece band)

3:45 to 4:45: The Split Shifters (4-piece band)

5:00 to 6:00 Luther Bad Man Keith (4-piece band)

Detroit Blues Society live blues music @ Detroit Bookfest Blockparty Afterparty 2024

Detroit City Distillery (2462 Riopelle Street, Detroit) will have a variety of outstanding Detroit Bookfest themed cocktails.

And they are hosting brunch inside the distillery!

Come check out this amazing location and sample some tasty beverages and food.

During the Bookfest Afterparty, DCD hours are Noon – 6:00 p.m.

Detroit City Distillery in Eastern Market

Detroit City Distillery offering Detroit Bookfest themed cocktails for the Detroit Bookfest Blockparty Afterparty 2024

Detroit Sibling Rivalry BBQ foodtruck will be serving delicious BBQ food!

Definitely try some of their top-sellers like the Loaded smoked mac n’ cheese, Pitmaster Brisket Sandwich, and the Loaded BBQ Nachos!

Detroit Sibling Rivalry BBQ foodtruck

Loaded smoked mac n’ cheese

Eastern Market Brewing Company

2515 Riopelle Street

Detroit, MI 48207

https://www.facebook.com/events/730159429008889/

Detroit’s JW Westcott Mailboat: Family operation celebrates 150 years on the Detroit River & 48222 the USA’s only floating zipcode

JW Westcott (courtesy of the JW Archives)

The five Great Lakes comprise the world’s largest reservoir of fresh water. As a result, the Great Lakes maritime industry here is a thriving multi-state ecosystem of international importance. 38 deep-water ports. 87 recreational harbors. Thousands of boats daily. Yes, boating is big business here in Michigan. This area is drenched in dazzling maritime history and one of the premier companies of historical importance in this realm is JW Westcott.

June 7th, 2024 was the 150th anniversary of the JW Westcott Company, which is now Detroit’s oldest continuously family-run business. Little did founder John Ward Westcott know back in 1874 that 150 years later his descendants would still be running the same great business on the same great river.

2024 was also the 50-year milestone of current owner Cpn. James M. Hogan Wescott working at his company. Jim is the 4th generation president and great grandson of the founder.

I’m sitting with Jim at Westcott headquarters at the foot of 24th Street next to the Ambassador Bridge. We’re discussing his family, his company, the past, the future, the recent spiral bound oral history book, and the fact that my own grandpa was a “tender” on this boat back in the early fifties.

It’s not always smooth sailing for Westcott. Sometimes they can face challenges as daunting as the freighters they snug up to. It’s not always rough seas either, there’s frequent fun to be had.

Here’s a fascinating true story about a nautical family dynasty who’ve spent over fifteen decades delivering mail to moving vessels on one of the world’s most vital waterways.

And don’t forget to check out the evolving timeline at the end of this article.

Let’s hear it from the man himself, Jim Hogan:

Jim Hogan, owner of JW Westcott Company, celebrating 150 years in June 2024 (photo by Ryan M. Place)

“JW Westcott is a 24 hours per day, 7 days per week year-round operation. We’re a 45 foot long contract mail boat with USPS and the world’s first non-military floating zipcode (48222).”

“Every year in late December, we go down to 3 days per week to handle forwarding. Early April we re-open. This year we had a boat in the water March 23rd, which was the earliest ever. It was a foreign ship and they needed our help via the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority.”

“We became an official USPS mailboat in 1948. We deliver mail to passing freighters, facilitate crew/captain transfers, nautical charts, groceries, pizza from Amicci’s, we fish people out of the water, you name it.”

Ride the Mailboat! The JW Westcott Detroit

“Right now, we have 15 employees. Cpn. Sam Buchanan is our general manager and director of marine operations. He’s been here since he was a spry lad of 18. We also have my son Jimmy Hogan Westcott (5th generation), along with The Birdman (Cpn. Bill Redding), and a newer group of deckhands like Walt Cochenour and Al Holland, among others.”

“Ride the Mailboat is a new program we have for the general public. You and your friends and family can tour the Detroit River on one of our boats, which is a very fun and unique experience. $150 per hour for up to six people. We do them Monday-Sunday. Call here to schedule (313-496-0555). Deposit is half. We take credit card over the phone.”

“The oral history book, ‘As Long As There Are Ships Sailing the Great Lakes: An Oral History of the JW Westcott Company’ started about two years ago when a man named Jim Cameron came to see me. He was representing the Michigan Oral History Association and wanted to cover the Westcott. We had multiple on-site conversations and he spoke with several people. There are only 75 copies available for purchase. You can buy them here at our headquarters or email us.”

Biography

Jim Hogan circa 1974 working onboard the JW Westcott II (courtesy of the JW Archives)

“I grew up on Union Lake, went to Walled Lake Central High School in Commerce Twsp, and currently live in Highland.”

“My mother June, Mildred June Westcott (1910-2010) was the granddaughter of the founder. She married my dad Joseph J. Hogan and I was born in 1956. My mom was also a teacher for Walled Lake schools.”

“I grew up on the Westcott boat, but I officially started working on the boat as a deckhand in July 1974. My dad needed me to take over for an employee one day. It was my graduation year from high school. I was also running the zamboni over at the original Novi ice arena, working an inventory job at the Hudson’s in Pontiac, and I was playing lots of hockey. That winter, I had my first taste of working the Detroit River in December on the ice. The boat would be bumping into 3-4-inch-thick ice floes.”

“Back in ’74, our night man was Frank Zuzak. He was known as ‘The Evening Voice of the Great Lakes’. A real storyteller. He told me early on in my first year that he was hired by ‘the old man’ back in 1921. He went on to say the old man would give him a try and since he hadn’t heard anything by 1974, he thought he was okay. Then he took a moment to lean over and spit in his spittoon. He always had a chew going. He answered the phone with a distinct line ‘Errrr Westcott’. He was a legend here and all around the Great Lakes! When the Renaissance Center was being construct he found some very dry humor in sharing with a few of us that it ‘looks like a new grain dock going in downtown, look at those silos’! And then he would once again lean over and relieve himself of some of his chew in the spittoon. I remember back in 1963 when I was a kid, he called the house the night the SS Montrose sank under the Ambassador Bridge. I answered the phone, he said for me to tell my dad that a ship sunk under the bridge. I said I will get him right away!”

“After attending Oakland Community College (the Orchard Ridge campus in Farmington Hills) for a bit, I decided to go full-time at JW Westcott in the Summer 1975. Later that Fall, I was on the last afternoon shift that serviced the Edmund Fitzgerald. Massive 729-foot-long ship. My captain was Dick Eathorne (Richard Eathorne, a former USCG senior chief quartermaster). Dick and I made the service call upbound. The Fitz was light, they were going to load up in Duluth. A few days later, they left Duluth and sank in 30–35-foot waves in Lake Superior. On that Monday, November 10th, 1975, I was in a bowling league in Commerce, it was unusually warm and raining that day, then later I looked out the door and it was snowing. I walked into the grill and up on the TV screen was famous WXYZ anchorman Bill Bonds saying that a freighter had potentially been lost in Lake Superior. 29 crew members died. It shocked and deeply saddened the world. The wreck lies in 545 feet of water just northwest of Whitefish Bay.”

“There’s been several paranormal experiences here at Westcott HQ over the years. Sometimes doors shut and open by themselves. You sense something, the feeling of being watched, but no one’s there. Human form shaped vapors glimpsed for the briefest of seconds then gone. One prime example stands out clearly in my mind. It was one of those classic dark gloomy rainy nights near Halloween 1975. I was in my second season working with retired Captain Dick Eathorne. About 8:30pm-ish, we made a delivery to an upbound ship. Coming back mid-stream, we saw what we thought was a figure standing under the dock light. It appeared like someone at the dock waiting for us, long hair, shapely, appeared to be female. We looked back literally a second later and she was gone. We were only 100ft off the dock. Then years later, I heard that this property used to be an old ribbon farm, and a young girl had been slain here. Was it her ghost? Who knows but it still creeps me out thinking about it.”

“Then in Fall 1980, Jacques Cousteau and his son Jean-Michel Cousteau and their crew of about 20-30 came by their oceanographic research vessel, The Calypso. They were going up to Lake Superior to dive the Edmund Fitzgerald. Seeing him outside JW Westcott on the Detroit River was a remarkable sight.”

Cpn. Jacques Cousteau circa 1980 after taking the Calypso by JW Westcott (courtesy of the JW Archives)

Some Family History

June and Jim Hogan, former owners of JW Westcott (courtesy of the JW Archives)

“There are two families, the Westcott family and the Hogan family. My mom graduated Hillsdale College and did a genealogy while she was there and found the Wescott’s are related to the Archbishop of Canterbury, which blew my mind.”

“In the early 1990’s, the Society of Stukely Westcott Descendants visited me to confirm that the Wescott’s were apart of this lineage also. Stukely was one of the founding settlers of Rhode Island and is also related to famous mariners Oliver Hazard Perry and his brother Commodore Matthew C. Perry.”

“On my mother’s side, the Hogan family used to own a tavern. It was called Hogan’s Tavern & Livery and was located on Michigan Avenue and 8th Street, across from where Nemo’s is now. It lasted until about 1917 Prohibition.”

JW Westcott Company’s History

JW Westcott in action (courtesy of the JW Archives)

“The JW Wescott Co. was officially founded 1874. The owner John Ward Wescott was a marine reporter for the Detroit Daily Post and had lots of connections in the Detroit marine industry. He leveraged those connections into creating a unique nautical mail delivery business. He also had two range lights (navigation beacons) on Belle Isle. His first phone number was 55. Our numbers have always had two fives in them as a tribute.”

“John Ward Westcott was born on Lime Island in the St. Mary’s River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on December 19, 1848. Prior to that, his dad David Westcott left New York in 1842 and came to Michigan. He met a lighthouse keeper named Mary and they got married on a steamboat at Mackinac Island in 1844. Westcott used to run the Lime Kiln range lights in Lime Kiln Crossing near Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada.”

“JW worked as a cabin boy on a passenger streamer. He lived in Marine City until moving to Detroit about 1873-ish. He was an agent for the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. and an alderman of the 4^th ward.”

“When he started the company in 1874, he had a little rowboat that he kept on Belle Isle and he would deliver mail from ship captains to the mainland. About 1877 he moved the office to the foot of Woodward. In 1895, the United Stated Postal Service placed a boat on the river establishing a mail service. The Florence B boat would tow a man in a rowboat until they eventually upgraded to motorboats.”

JW Westcott postcard (courtesy of the JW Archives)

“Prior to the advent of radios in boats, Westcott was one of the main relayer’s of information between ships and shore.”

“Cpn. JW Westcott died 1913. He was living at 142 W. Hancock st at Cass ave at the time. He’s buried at Woodlawn Cemetery (Woodward, just south of 8 Mile) in Section 14, Lot 4.”

“JW Westcott Co. started using motorboats in 1918.”

“We’ve delivered lots of interesting things over the years: massive 1,000 pound crates, captain’s dogs, live goats. We used to be a consignee for Mobil oil. They would mail us 55-gallon drums of marine engine lubricant and we would deliver them dockside with our van. Ships would use a giant ‘grocery crane’ and hoist them onto their decks.”

Cpn. JW Westcott is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery (Detroit, Michigan)

“From 1937-64, JW Westcott actually had a satellite ‘spotters’ office in Port Huron, north of Pine Grove Park. It was run by Harold Simpson, my grandmother’s brother, who was also a WWI vet.”

“During World War II, my dad Joseph J. Hogan, was a US Army staff sergeant with the counter-intelligence corps (CIC) in the Pacific Theater. He trained at Fort Riley, Kansas, then they sent him to the South Pacific. Not one of his pleasant memories. He suffered many island diseases and horrendous memories of prison camp activity. He rarely ever brought those experiences to conversation. He was a true member of the Greatest Generation.”

“By 1948, the second generation of JW Westcott Company decided to bid on a USPS mail contract. Prior to that there had been six different on-the-water contractors. We won and commissioned Paasch Marine Shipping Services (Erie, PA) to build our mailboat. The JW Second is the original boat and it’s still apart of our fleet today.”

“Our location has changed several times throughout the years. This current headquarters was established back in 1953. Prior to that we went from Woodward to 1st to 12th to 24th. We spent two years operating out of the firehouse next-door, which had two fire boats (Battle and Kendall). By Spring 1955, we were fully running this spot with a brand new 3,000sq ft building.”

JW Westcott Detroit (courtesy of the JW Archives)

“In 1959, the Queen of England herself, Queen Elizabeth, came sailing down the Detroit River in her 412-foot-long royal yacht Brittania. They were heading to the Mackinac Bridge. This is about when the St. Lawrence Seaway opened, and foreign cargo ships started coming into the Great Lakes. By 1961, JW Westcott was doing pilotage transfers. We’re a mandatory change-point for pilotage here on the great lakes. Canadian pilotage firms are run by their government, while USA pilotage firms are private concerns.”

“In 1966, the FBI pulled a stowaway from Chicago off a passing freighter. They took him back to shore onboard the Westcott.”

“My dad started a tradition in 1971 to take the crew to Carl’s Chophouse (3020 Grand River Ave). We never missed out on the annual holiday dinner until it closed in 2008. It was across from Motor City Casino.”

“October 2001 was our greatest tragedy. Captain Catherine Nasiatka and Deckhand Dave Lewis perished as a result of the sinking of the M/V J.W. Westcott II. A very sad and tragic accident.”

“Over the years, we’ve rescued many from the river. I can’t tell you how many people we’ve helped out of the river. Last year (July 12, 2023) we saved an Ambassador Bridge employee, a 27-year-old Canadian man named Spencer Baker, who was working on top of his truck on the bridge and accidentally fell off into the water. Now that’s a 156 foot drop. People in the park screamed to us and Cpn. Sam Buchanan raced out there and got him three minutes after he hit the water. Sam’s alacrity probably saved his life.”

Jim Hogan: Hockey Fan

JW Westcott owner Jim Hogan hockey player (photo courtesy of JW Westcott archives)

“I am a lifelong ice hockey fanatic. It’s been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember.”

“Growing up on Union Lake, I was only forty steps away from the greatest ice rink every winter. My dad built some nets out of 2×5 and chain-link fence for us. From the day the ice was two inches thick, I’d be out there for hours.”

“My dad would get up on Saturday mornings to go to Winter Wonderland ice arena (16611 Schoolcraft, Detroit) for 5am, 6am, and 7am practices, then I’d skate on the lake all day, and have games at night. I don’t know how he did it.”

JW Westcott owner Jim Hogan hockey player (photo courtesy of JW Westcott archives)

“I was 11 years old when he would bring me down to JW Westcott on Sunday mornings. I would meet another hockey player’s family and we’d drive over to Tilbury, Ontario to play hockey.”

“Marty Pavelich (who passed away recently in June 2024) was the first Red Wing I ever met. In November 1972, the Waterford Lakers junior B team hosted the Detroit Red Wings old timers. In that lineup was Marty Pavelich, Ted Lindsay, etc. That game I hooked Terrible Ted Lindsay, got two minutes for tripping, and had my photo in the Pontiac Press (now Oakland Press).”

“I was 17yrs old and practicing at a rink in Waterford when I got a call from a hockey coach up in North Bay, Ontario. They got wind of me, had a need, I was caught off guard, plus dad wanted me to stay committed to local team. I turned the offer down and have always regretted not exploring the possibilities of turning down that avenue. One of life’s many lessons.”

“My two sons, Jimmy and Bryan, both played hockey, Bryan for the University of Michigan. They grew up in the Lakeland Hockey Association, Michigan’s largest hockey association. There were 10-12 teams in every age group and a travel group for each of those back in those days. They spent lots of time at Lakeland Arena (Waterford) and formed friendships for a lifetime.”

“To round it all out, I spent years coaching high school hockey and loved it.”

JW Westcott’s Jim Hogan hooking Ted Lindsay in hockey game circa 1962 (photo courtesy of JW Westcott archives)

Assorted Bits n’ Barnacles

JW Westcott Company celebrating 150 years in June 2024 (photo by Ryan M. Place)

“I love boating. It’s in my DNA. The best inland boating for me is the Indian River, which connects Burt Lake and Mullett Lake, and the Cheboygan River, to Lake Huron. I have a 24 ft Bayliner deck boat. On my other favorite lake, Duck Lake, is where my home is today. I also love hydroplane racing. I miss Quake on the Lake (Pontiac) and I’m really looking forward to the Detroit Hydroplane Races in 2025. The roostertail turn down by Waterworks Park is a great one.”

“In 1981, I joined the International Shipmasters Association Detroit Lodge # 7. They used to meet at the Barlum (now Cadillac Tower) but they don’t have a permanent brick and mortar facility. The membership consists of a large group of captains, mates, chief engineers, and others from all different sectors of the maritime industry.”

“Also in 1981, we took a trip on the Charles M. Beeghly (freighter). We got on at Detroit and headed to Lackawanna, New York on the east end of Lake Erie near Buffalo. They took us around, through the Straits of Mackinac, to load pellets in Escanaba and take them down to Indiana Harbor near Gary. We walked a 250-foot bow out over the boat as it was loading.”

JW Westcott Detroit (courtesy of the JW Archives)

“We sailed on the Paul R. Tregurtha, largest ship on the Great Lakes, 1,013ft long, in 2016. Our 5-day trip became 9 days due to weather. We boarded in St. Clair, they were offloading coal and going down to Monroe, then we went back up to Duluth, loaded up more coal and took it to St. Clair. Amazing experience. It was a gratuity trip via Interlake Steamship Co. (Cleveland HQ), the largest privately held fleet on the Great Lakes. Interlake also introduced the new Mark W. Barker freighter in Fall 2022. It’s 26,000 tons.”

“I remember a woman named Arlene Earl (1938-2016). She was famously known as The Flower Lady to all the passing boats. She lived on Harsen’s Island and would frequently wave to the freighters, who would reply by blowing her salutes on their whistles. She was very friendly and very concerned for the sailors, especially during the holidays. She would drop off 30-40 flowers and plants to be placed board her many favorite ships, one per vessel.”

JW Westcott’s old summer house at 553 N. Riverside ave, St. Clair, Michigan (courtesy of the JW Archives)

“The Lake Carriers Association is based in Cleveland, Ohio and represents US fleets.”

“The Lakes Pilots Association is in Port Huron. They’re a pilotage service.”

“The Detroit Harbormaster is a unit of the Detroit Police Department’s waterborne division. They do river rescues. The DPD dive team practices near here.”

“Soo Marine Supply (owned by the McCoy’s) is located at the Soo Locks. They were developed to support US Steel back in the day. They take food, supplies, parts, etc, to ships also.”

JW Westcott Detroit (courtesy of the JW Archives)

“JW Westcott was recently featured in a 4-part series in Telescope Magazine, the flagship publication of the Great Lakes Maritime Institute.”

“People often wonder and yes, JW Westcott has a great relationship with Canada and the crews of Canadian vessels. JW Westcott is only 1,800 feet across from Canada (1,000ft on the water).”

“MarineTraffic is a great ship tracking app. It shows you the real-time locations of ships and yachts worldwide.”

“The Port of Detroit is Michigan’s largest inland port. They handle steel, ore, stone, coal, cement, et. General cargo passes through Nicholson Terminal via stevedores (dock workers). Although large, this port used to be much larger when Great Lakes Steel was operating at Zug Island. You also had McClouth Steel Plant in Trenton and Detroit Edison. Rouge Steel is still around although its now called Dearborn Works and is run by Cleveland Cliffs.”

“Detroit’s Diamond Jack Riverboat Tours company was formed out of Gaelic Tugboat Co, which was owned by Cpn. Bill Hoey. They used to have 15 tugboats back in the 70’s. My parents were shipmaster-owners of Diamond Jack cruises.”

Final Thoughts

JW Westcott Company celebrating 150 years in June 2024 (photo by Ryan M. Place)

“As you can see, the maritime industry is vast and complex, and JW Westcott continues evolving in response to new technology and customer’s needs.”

“Recently, there has been a generational change in the industry among both sailors and managers. As the old regime retires, the young newcomers don’t know who we are. We are in the process of reestablishing our notability with the new generation.”

“It’s also challenging at times to run a 24-hour operation for only five hours of business. We have a Hi-Lo driver and boat crew here 24 hours a day every single day. And as vessels age, maintenance cost increases.”

“In early 2020, we lost our biggest customer, the American Steamship Company (ASC). GATX sold ASC to Rand Logistics for $260 million dollars cash in a leveraged buyout. ASC is the biggest steamship company on the Great Lakes. They specialize in dry bulk transport of things like limestone, coal, iron, ore.”

JW Westcott Detroit (courtesy of the JW Archives)

“No business is immune to stresses and pressures. Fortunately, I’ve been surrounded by really good people. Their support network is key to our success.”

“My son Jimmy is 5th generation. He’s the next in line after me. He has tons of great ideas on how to enhance our bottom line, such as hosting events. JW Westcott is also a unique venue that is great for gatherings, weddings, business luncheons, you name it. And we have a food truck coming soon.”

“I love the waterfront. It’s also full of memories of boarding the SS Columbia or St. Clair for Boblo Island, seeing the old Robin Hood flour plant, delivering mail in the Westcott with my dad. You never step in the same river twice, that’s for sure.”

Homepage

https://www.jwwestcott.com/

Contact

[email protected]

Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1452571998303053/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jwwestcottcompany/

JW Westcott rowboat illustration (courtesy of the JW Archives)

JW Westcott Timeline

1848-John Ward Westcott is born on Lime Island. He is the third of eight children.

1874-JW Westcott Company founded

1883-John Ward Westcott Jr born

1910-69-JW Westcott grandson; lived at 7252 Colony Dr, Walled Lake; buried in Commerce

1917-Mildred Simpson Westcott married John Ward Westcott II. They lived on West Grand Blvd, Detroit. Mildred Simpson lived 1897-1989. She’s buried in Oak Grove Cemetery (Hillsdale)

2024-JW Westcott Company celebrates 150th anniversary