Baldwin Library Unveils Build Imagination Collection at Open House

Library Unveils Build Imagination Collection at Open House

BIRMINGHAM, MI (September 9, 2015) – The Baldwin Public Library is unveiling a new collection of 100 architecture books for children, the Build Imagination collection, at an Open House on Saturday, September 26 from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the Library’s lower level Rotary Room. Made possible with a generous donation from the Rae Dumke fund of the Michigan Architecture Foundation (MAF), this collection features fiction and non-fiction books on topics that help foster children's imaginations and raise awareness about architecture.

Ms. Rae Dumke is the former Executive Director of MAF, AIA Michigan (American Institute of Architects Michigan), and AIA Detroit. She currently serves on the MAF Board of Trustees. Upon her retirement, an endowment was established in Ms. Dumke’s name through contributions to MAF.

The Build Imagination collection includes books about architecture, art, color, Legos, graphic design, shapes, and famous landmarks. It features everything from board books for the very young to more advanced informational texts for children as old as fourteen. Titles in the collection were selected by an MAF committee comprised of Stephanie Miller, Baldwin Library; Alan Cobb, Albert Kahn Associates; Rae Dumke, Honorary AIA; Doug Koschik, Baldwin Library; Jeffrey Ryntz, Saroki Architecture; Michelle Saroki, Saroki Architecture; and Stephen Smith, TMP Architecture.

Attendees of the Open House will have the opportunity to check out books from the collection after the presentation. Coinciding with the release of the new collection is a “block party.” Children and grown-ups of all ages will have fun building structures with a variety of building toys including wooden blocks, Duplos, and Legos at various building stations set up in the meeting space.

Stephanie Miller, Baldwin’s Head of Youth Services, says “the Library has been increasing its focus on STEAM programming to encourage engagement with math and science and this new collection will be a fun way for children to engage and develop these skills.” Visit http://www.baldwinlib.org/build-imagination-open-house to register for this event.

The Baldwin Public Library is located in downtown Birmingham at 300 W. Merrill Street. The library’s hours are 9:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. The library’s website (www.baldwinlib.org) has information on how to register for a library card and access all of the library’s services.