Families

Enter to win a $1,500 scholarship for your child through the Destination College Savings program, offered annually each summer by the Library of Michigan Foundation and Michigan's two 529 programs, Michigan Education Savings Program and Michigan Education Trust.

You can enter by visiting the Troy Library's Youth Services area to pick up an entry form. Fill out the bottom portion and drop the postage paid card in the mail. Each submission also enters the Troy Public Library for a chance to win $1,000.

Entries must be postmarked by August 12. Your child must be 13 or younger to qualify for the sweepstakes.

(Photo: twistyfoldy.net)

Join us in the Troy Public Library's Youth area every Wednesday in July for Story Time!

On July 6, from 11 to 11:30 am, Andover Theater Manager, Tim McGee will entertain children with stories and finger plays. On July 13, 20 and 27, also beginning at 11 am, Story Time will be lead by Bonny Avery, retired librarian and former head of the Troy Public Library Youth Services department.

This program is open for all ages. Troy residents should register beginning June 23 for the July 6 Story Time; and beginning June 30 for the July 13, 20, and 27 Story Times.

The Troy Public Library has again teamed up with the Library of Michigan and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to make it easier for Library card holders to enjoy a day at one of Michigan’s beautiful State parks.

When you visit the Library after June 1, you can check out a one-day vehicle permit good at any of the 98 Michigan State Park and Recreation Areas. This is a savings to you of $6! You don’t want to miss any of Michigan’s amazing scenic vistas, remote trails and nearly 500 family friendly events.

So grab your book, pick a park, and enjoy a relaxing — and FREE — day of reading outdoors. This is just another benefit of having a Troy Public Library card!

Forty years ago, in May 1971, the Troy Public Library at 510 West Big Beaver opened its doors to the public.

To honor that occasion, then-Troy children's librarian Marguerite Hart wrote to dozens of actors, authors, artists, musicians, playwrights, librarians, and politicians of the day. She asked them to write a letter to the children of Troy about their memories of reading and of books, and the importance of libraries.

Hart received 97 Letters to the Children of Troy from individuals who spanned the arts, sciences, and politics across the 50 states, Canada, and several other countries. Those replying included First Lady Pat Nixon; Michigan Governor William Milliken; Governor of California (and future president) Ronald Reagan; first-man-on-the-moon Neil Armstrong; Cosmopolitan editor Helen Gurley Brown; authors Isaac Asimov, Hardie Gramatky, Dr. Seuss, Dr. Ben Spock, and E.B. White; and actors Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Vincent Price, and Dan Rowan and Dick Martin.

In collecting these letters, Marguerite Hart created a snapshot of the cultural and political landscape of the early 1970s. She accumulated a diverse anthology of letters that enriches the Troy Public Library’s remarkable history, and one that is a lasting tribute to the children of Troy – past, present, and future.

Several Letters to the Children of Troy are currently on display in the Troy Public Library's lobby. Visit the Library and take a look at these pieces of Troy history.

To view all the letters, visit troylibrary.info/letterstothechildrenoftroy.

Disney Digital Books are now available from the Troy Public Library. This collection of over 650 titles includes books for a wide variety of ages that feature both classic and new Disney characters. You can access these titles through OverDrive, the company that supplies downloadable audiobook and ebooks to the Library.

Disney Digital Books are interactive. Some books will read the text to you. Others feature trivia games as you proceed through the title. All Disney Digital Books feature a built-in dictionary that will pronounce and give the definition of a word when clicked.

Disney Digital Books work differently than other eBooks offered through OverDrive. Instead of being downloaded, they are viewed within your computer's web browser. They are available for use on both PCs and Mac computers. Disney Digital Books are also always available. You do not have to place holds on them; they can be checked out at any time. Disney Digital Book checkouts do count towards your 10-item OverDrive checkout limit, and there is currently no way to return a Digital Books early.

To try out Disney Digital Books, click on the "Download eBooks, Audiobooks" link at left under the Library Links menu, and then select OverDrive. For more information, please see this blog post.

Let us know your thoughts about this new collection by leaving a comment below.

Characters from Dr. Seuss books come to life at the Troy Public Library on February 17, at 7 pm, to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday on March 2. Meet, sing songs and listen to your favorite Dr. Seuss stories with the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, and Mayzie Bird.

Everyone is welcome. No registration is required for this event.

(Photo by: Katerha)