Commemorative Spaces

The Rowe family hopes that every child who comes into the Library will find the spark that lights his or her passion for reading.

Joe Klobucher has always reached out through his personal and professional life to help others help themselves. That’s why he supports the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library.

The Ben F. Bryer Foundation and The Hurand Family have chosen to commemorate their strong legacy of community involvement and family unity by naming the outdoor garden.

The Mott Foundation granted over $15.5 million to support planning for and renovations to the Flint Public Library, an organization essential to the community’s well-being.

The Consumers Energy Foundation is proud to support the Library and its commitment to the literacy and learning of Flint residents for decades to come.

The Dolores Ennis Room overlooks Central High School, where she spent much of her life teaching. Her spirit will keep an eye on things into the future.

The Sorscher family chose to honor their father, Benjamin M. Sorscher, a kind and generous man who was passionate about books, learning, and the power of curiosity.

Dr. Marie Hackley Wright was the Rosa Parks of her time. Her boundless capabilities drove her to break barriers and excel in multiple disciplines over her lifetime.

The Kommareddis chose to give back and pay forward, so that future generations will have the same incredible resources and opportunities their family experienced.

The Harris children acknowledge the blessing of their incredible parents and are proud to commemorate that legacy through the Dr. Wendell B. and Helen B. Harris Room.

The Piper family chose to honor Edith Prunty Spencer for her work at the Library as well as her legacy of community impact.

Flint Central closed its doors in 2009 after more than 80 years of serving students and the community. Although now confined to history, may this beloved institution be a continuing source of inspiration.

The Friends of the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library gave a gift to name this room in honor of the generous volunteers whose tireless work helps fund essential Library programs.

GM converted more than 14,500 square feet of a warehouse into collection storage space for the Library during its renovation. The General Motors Special Collections Room honors this in-kind gift.

Gloria Coles became the Director of Flint Public Library in April 1984. She was the first African American woman to hold that position, and she spent the next 20 years living into her vision of what a library should be and do for the community.

Ms. Coles believed that the library should be fully engaged with the community. That meant serving people in the building, bringing services out to the people, and creating new ways to enrich the lives of the underserved.

An anonymous donor chose to honor Gloria Coles for her exceptional 20-year stewardship as Director of Flint Public Library.

The Graff Family Foundation believes the Library is an important asset, especially to help educate the workforce of tomorrow. They continue to give back to a community that has been good to them.

The fact that our community kept this building, and transformed it, compelled Jane and Larry Worthing to make a gift toward the renovation.

Through this mural sponsorship, the Friends of the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library gratefully acknowledge Dr. Bobby Mukkamala’s gift of storage space during the Library renovation.

In honor of its commitment to literacy, the Rotary Club of Flint gave a gift to name the meeting room in the Children’s Learning Center.

Ruth Rawlings Mott was a mother, local leader, and philanthropist who cared deeply about children and their families and believed wholeheartedly in lifelong learning.

The Conroys hope that the discoveries made in this room will encourage children to learn, grow and prosper as vibrant members of our communities.

The Community Foundation of Greater Flint awarded a grant to preserve the Svea Kline tiles that were installed in the original Children’s Room in 1958.

Dick Saunders chose to name this stair in honor of his beloved wife to permanently recognize her dedication, accomplishments and achievements.

The Whiting Foundation invests in nonprofit organizations throughout Flint and Genesee County.

Willie and Veronica Artis, staunch advocates for Flint and their community, chose to invest in the Library renovation because they believe in education and lifelong learning.

This original sculpture by FIA glass artist Brent Swanson was donated by Andrew Watchorn so that community members could see and appreciate it.