Learn about the Mackinac Bridge, Michigan’s iconic five-mile span that has seen historic, tragic and hilarious events. Take a trip with author and historian Mike Fornes through the first six decades of the bridge’s history. You’ll experience unusual crossings, triumph and tragedy. Mr. Fornes will have copies of his books for sale, including the Michigan Notable Book winner, “Mackinac Bridge: A 50 Year Chronicle, 1957-2007.”
101 Things that Happened on
the Mackinac Bridge
Wednesday, November 13
6:00 - 7:45 pm
John F. Kenney, Jr. Library
Join us for a program with local architectural historian Dale Carlson. He will present a rundown of metro area burials of soldiers of the American Revolution – there are over 70, believe it or not! This program will focus primarily on the biographies of the interred, but will also touch lightly upon cemetery history and architecture.
Revolutionary War Soldier
Burials in Metro Detroit
Tuesday, November 12
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Caroline Kennedy Library
Give a person in need the gift of warmth this year by helping us decorate the mitten tree. We are collecting new gloves, mittens, scarves and hats to hang on our tree. All the items will be donated to First Step, a local domestic violence shelter. Donations will be accepted at either branch. Homemade items will also be accepted. For additional information, please contact us at (313) 791-6050.
Donations accepted from Monday, November 18 - Friday, December 20, 2024.
Yoga and Meditation Series
Tuesdays
November 12 & 19
December 3, 10 & 17
January 14 & 21
John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library
Join Ahmad Ballout from ACCESS to learn about Narcan and how to safely administer it to a person in need. Narcan kits will be available for the public.
Narcan Training
Thursdays
September 12 and October 10
November 14 and December 12
5:30-6:30 pm
John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library
Calling all artists! Share your creativity at our Open Mic Night. Bring a poem, song, short story, or any other innovative endeavor. All ages welcome, but children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
Open Mic Night
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm
September 17
October 15
November 15
December 10
Caroline Kennedy Library
Cleaning out your attic or garage and have unwanted, in good working condition, Christmas trees and/or decorations you would like to get rid of? Consider donating them to the John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library for our Open House Holiday Tree Village. We are looking for 10-20 usable trees as well as enough decorations to fully decorate them. These trees will be raffled off at our Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 5. We will also donate a few trees to families in need.
Donate Unwanted Christmas Decorations
Where: John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library
Deadline: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Randy Baker of Naturalist Endeavors will discuss the fur trade of the Great Lakes Region during the 1700s. He will cover the interaction with Native Americans, the growth of French colonization and the conflict with Great Britain. He will also explain the importance of Michigan’s waterways and other natural resources in the development of Michigan’s fur trade.
Michigan Fur Trade History in the 1700s
Thursday, November 7
7:00 - 8:15 pm
Caroline Kennedy Library
We are looking for 10-20 families or businesses who would like to adopt a tree to decorate for our Holiday Tree Village at our 60th Anniversary Open House on Thursday, December 5 at the John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library. Don’t celebrate Christmas? No problem! There are no theme requirements. The three most creative trees will win a Barnes & Noble gift card. Fell in love with the tree you decorated and want to keep it? You may request to keep it and pick it up after the Open House.
Adopt a Christmas Tree to Decorate
November 18 - December 4
John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library
On November 22, 1963 in Dallas Texas, a vibrant young president was struck down in the prime of his life. Kennedy assassination expert Jay Hernandez brings a fact-based perspective on this event and discusses how recently declassified documents shed new light on what we thought we knew.
The Assassination of John F. Kennedy
Tuesday, December 3
6:00-7:45 pm
John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library
Ongoing Community Services
Local Artist Showcase
Are you a local artist looking for a free space to showcase your talent? Whatever your artistic talent is, whether it be painting, sculpting, quilting, or any other art form, Dearborn Heights Libraries is the place for you! You can showcase your talent for free for one month at one of our branches. Please contact Chris Land at John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library for details. He can be reached by phone at 313-791-6064 or by email at ckland@dearbornheightsmi.gov. Or, you can use our online submission form posted on the library's website at dhlibrary.org.
Citizenship Preparation Classes
International Institute of Metro Detroit (IIMD)
September 10 - November 26, 2024
Tuesdays, 12:00-1:30 pm
Caroline Kennedy Library
The International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit (IIMD) is offering an twelve-week course that will help you prepare for the citizenship test. Classes are taught in English by an IIMD instructor. You must be a Michigan resident. An image of your driver’s license or official ID and image of your USCIS Permanent Resident (Green Card) is required. Register online through IIMD. You may join the class anytime after the start date. For more information, call 313-600-7618 or email wojciech517@yahoo.com.
Genealogy Help
Caroline Kennedy Library & John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library
Times and dates vary; please refer to our calendar for detailed schedule information.
Interested in exploring your family's past? Members of the Dearborn Genealogical Society (dgs.org). will be available on-site to help you research your family using Ancestry.com (only available in the library) and other websites.
GET TIX!
The Dearborn Heights Library is a member of The Library Network. As a member, patrons can purchase "313 Presents Corporate Access" discounted tickets to select shows at local venues.
Patrons also have access to Premium Seating locations at Little Caesars Arena, located in sections 108-110 and 121-123. In these exclusive clubs you have access to private restrooms, bartenders as well as the opportunity to see your favorite artists from incredible seats. Patrons can purchase discounted tickets here at the best value available anywhere!
Book Clubs
John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library
First Monday of the month
October - June
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Join us for our Fireside Book Chats at the John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library. Our book club meets the first Monday. Copies of each book will be available at the John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library one month prior to the discussion. Refreshments will be served.
Please contact Gretchen at 313-791-6057 or at gmburke@dearbornheightsmi.gov with questions.
October 7, 2024
The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
November 4, 2024
Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen
December 2, 2024
The Wicked Sister by Karen Dionne
January 6, 2025
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
February 3, 2025
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
March 3, 2025
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
April 7, 2025
Fourteen Days by Various Authors
May 5, 2025
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
June 2, 2025
Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford
July 7, 2025
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
August 4, 2025
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It
by Elle Cosimano
Mystery Book Club
Caroline Kennedy Library
First Tuesday of the month
September-June
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
If you love to read, discuss and learn about mystery books and authors, then this is the book club for you. The Mystery Book Club meets at the Caroline Kennedy Library from 2:00-3:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month. You can pick up a copy of next month's book one month before the meeting. Refreshments will be served.
Please contact Sandi at 313-791-3811 or at slmartin@dearbornheightsmi.gov with questions.
September 3
The Dry by Jane Harper
(Australian, Medium-boiled)
October 1
(Book Title Change)
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
(Historical Mystery)
November 12
(Due to 2nd Tuesday falling
on Election Day.)
Mastering the Art of French Murder
by Colleen Cambridge
(Culinary Cozy)
December 3
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
(Canadian, Medium-Boiled Series)
January 7, 2025
The Widows of Malabar Hill
by Sujata Massey
(Historical Mystery Set in India)
February 4
Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo
(Amish Culture, Hard-boiled)
March 4
Entombed by Linda Fairstein
(NYC Police Procedural)
April 1
The Woman in Blue by Elly Griffiths
(Ruth Galloway Series)
May 6
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
(Psychological Suspense)
June 3
Thirteen by Steve Cavanaugh
(Legal Thriller)
Fiction Ignition Book Club
Caroline Kennedy Library
Second Monday of the month
September - May
2:00 p.m.
Join us for our Fiction Ignition Book Club for adults at the Caroline Kennedy Library. Our book club meets on the second Monday of the month from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Stop by a month or so before the next meeting to pick up a copy of the book at the Circulation Desk. Please contact Jason at 313-791-3825 or at jdstanley@dearbornheightsmi.gov with questions.
September 9
The Hound of the Baskervilles
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
October 14
The Invisible Man
by H.G. Wells
November 18
(Due to 2nd Monday falling
on Veteran’s Day.)
Never Let Me Go
by Kazuo Ishiguro
December 9
The Christmas Box
by Richard Evans
January 13
Leave the World Behind
by Rumaan Alan
February 10
Final Revival of Opal and Nev
by Dawnie Walton
March 10
My Sister, The Serial Killer
by Oyinkan Braithwaite
April 14
Starter Villian
by John Scalzi
May 12
Slaughterhouse-Five
by Kurt Vonnegut
Adult Graphic Novel Club
Third Thursday of the Month
6:00-7:00 pm
John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library
Come join our Adult Graphic Novel Book Club. We’ll meet every third Thursday of the month. Copies of each graphic novel will be available at the library one month prior to the discussion. Open to adults 18 years and older. Please contact Sam at (313) 791-6050 or at srbaggett@dearbornheightsmi.gov with questions.
October 17, 2024
Batman: Year One
November 21, 2024
Planet Hulk
December 19, 2024
Batman/TMNT
January 16, 2025
Death of Superman
February 20, 2025
Black Panther Nation Under Feet
March 20, 2025
Ms. Marvel No Normal
April 18, 2025
Joker
May 15, 2025
Spider-man Life Story
June 20, 2025
JLA Kingdom Come
July 17, 2025
Hawkeye Life As a Weapon
August 21, 2025
Dark Knight Returns
September 18, 2025
X-men Dark Phoenix Saga