LADIES LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF FLINT
FOUNDED: 22 MARCH 1851
INCORPORATED: 06 APRIL 1853
GIVEN TO THE CITIZENS OF FLINT: 06 JUNE 1885

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MARIA G. SMITH STOCKTON,
ORGANIZER AND FIRST
PRESIDENT OF THE
LADIES LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF FLINT

On March 22, 1851 a group of women, concerned about the lack of cultural and educational opportunities in their community, met at the home of Maria Smith Stockton. As a result of the meeting, the group adopted a constitution written by Sophia Gotee Jenney that established the Ladies Library Association. They selected the following officers: Maria Smith Stockton - president; Almira Simpson Walker - vice president; Sophia Gotee Jenney - recording secretary; Mary Dodge Miles - treasurer and Hattie Stewart became the first librarian.

Along with a variety of fund raising activities, the founders raised money through member and subscriber dues. In 1853 the Association was incorporated under the presidency of Louisa Smith Payne. The group provided the funds necessary to build a library that was located at Beach and Kearsley Streets. Governor Henry H. Crapo spoke at the dedication of the building on June 30, 1868. He had several daughters who were members of the Association. In 1871, the Association was presented with a copy of the first American edition of John James Audubon's Birds of America that can be viewed today on the second floor of the Main Library.

As the City of Flint grew, so did the need for a public library. In 1884, the Association offered to give to the City the building and its contents to be used as a public library for the people of Flint. City officials declined the gift. Fortunately, the Board of the Union School District of Flint did accept the offer and created the first public library.

A souvenir bookmark commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the Ladies Library Association of Flint. "Pro Bono Publico" translates as "for the public good."