Mass Murder at the Royal Oak Library
Two stories came out of the Dedication of the Friends Auditorium, one dealing with the auditorium itself, the other an excellent presentation by local author Steve Lehto. Lehto's talk was based on his book Death's Door, which carries the subtitle "The Truth Behind Michigan's Largest Mass Murder".

Author Steve Lehto captivated his audience by projecting informative, if sad, photographs from his book and with his evocative description of what went on before, during, and after the tragedy in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, when almost eighty people, mostly children, died. On Christmas Eve 1n 1913, several hundred persons gathered on the second floor of Calumet City's Italian Hall to celebrate with Santa Claus. Someone yelled "Fire" and in the chaos which followed those eighty individuals were crushed to death. There was no fire. Lehto's focus is on the ongoing mine worker's strike and the resulting labor-versus-management mood in the city which led, he believes, to dastardly behavior mostly by management and its hired Pinkerton "thugs." He brought wider context to his story by describing the demographics (Finns, Croats, Italians, Hungarians among the 80,000 population; today Calumet has 800 inhabitants) ... the less-than-professional behavior of law  enforcement ... the reporting bias of English-language and Finnish newspapers Lehto's own bias is clearly pro-miner and anti-management, but his talk conveyed a straightforward sincerity and enthusiasm for providing "the truth behind Michigan's largest mass murder," as he gave both sides of some debates, such as whether the Italian Hall's doors opened inward or outward. The 232-page paperback book cost $15 at the Meet-the-Author event. It may be obtained from Troy-based Momentum Books at www.momentumbooks.com.

An oversized simulated check for $20,000 -- symbolizing the real one presented by the Friends of the Royal Oak Public Library -- is displayed for the audience by Margaret Blount, President of the Friends, David S. Palmer, President of the Library Board of Trustees, and Library Director Metta T. Lansdale, Jr. Palmer reported with obvious pride that the renovated Friends Auditorium has already been used by groups as large as 150 children. Lansdale shared that pride and looks forward to more such uses and to gatherings like the night's "Meet the Author" session. The Friends group funds the special programming the Library does and accumulates money largely by Used Book Sales year after year. Before the speaker came on, an aide for U.S. Representative Joseph Knollenberg presented the Library with an American Flag which has flown over the nation's Capitol. Attendees were seen buying the author's book, and having him sign it, during the coffee and cookies period which preceded the program, then again after his talk.

Refurbished restrooms on the main floor . . . patrons taking a number for access to a computer . . . an upgraded auditorium . . . a classroom where keyboard-competent individuals of all ages were being taught how to use a mouse . . are among the images I retain after a preview tour of the Royal Oak Library guided by enthusiastic Library Director Metta Lansdale. 

Such are the modifications which libraries nationwide are implementing now that “One doesn’t need to come to a library to find a picture of a specific bird,” Lansdale offered, adding: 

“Reference information on the Internet has reduced the need to come to the library building for many primary resources that are now online; the Library is therefore reducing its investment in print resources and increasing its investment in online electronic reference sources. The excellent electronic sources the Library purchases are not available on the open internet except as the purchase has been made for the community by the Library. If you visit the library website at <ropl.org> you will see a representation of the electronic resources the library provides.

“Many beautiful and important single volume reference works are now on the circulating shelves so that borrowers may find them more easily and may even take them home to review.” 

So it is that Lansdale is partnering with diverse private and civic entities to offer everything from health advice, to writing classes, to art exhibits to attract patrons to the remodeled Library. Below,  the director describes that reach-out in her column in the Winter 2008 issue of ropl leaflet, the library’s newsletter included in the City’s quarterly Insight publication.

With Beaumont Hospital the Library is presenting a health lecture series and, with Beaumont librarians and Wayne State University faculty, Royal Oak librarians are on the receiving end of intensive training about the most current medical information sources. 

With Kiwanis, the Friends of the Royal Oak Public Library and Royal Oak Public Schools, the Library is hosting its 29th year of RIF (Reading is Fundamental), a program that fosters the love of reading for the fun of it, bringing each fourth grader in the school system to the public library for fun programs and to receive a book of their own that will begin their personal collections of beloved books at each visit. 

With the Detroit Zoo, the Library is enhancing its science and environmental programs for kids of all ages and now card holders may receive a discount on the purchase of an annual membership at the Zoo. 

With Stagecrafters, the Library is able to bring a taste of upcoming theater productions to bring you closer to great drama. 

Much of this added programming will take place in the newly renovated Friends Auditorium that should be complete in January. Your visits to the Library will be fun and more comfortable in the new auditorium and the newly renovated restrooms on the main floor of the Library.