NIRMV Leaders Featured at Partner Event

This Saturday, Sep. 19, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., NIRMV President Darlene House and Vice President James Hines will be reading to kids at the Chandler Park branch of the Detroit Public Library, 12800 Harper Ave., Detroit. No registration necessary, just drop by to enjoy this Storytime event presented by the Little Detroit Community Garden.

Read More

The NIRMV Kids Reading Festival Will Be Sat., May 9

Join us from 3-5 p.m. for this official event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the NIRMV Recommended Reading List Kids Edition at the Chaney Branch of the Detroit Public Library. Activities include children's storytime experience, Tween Town games, Teen Territory challenges, prizes, snacks and treats and more.

An RSVP is requested and early registration is encouraged. Deadline to register is Sat., Apr. 25, 2026. To register, email nirmvdetroit@gmail.com with participant(s) name(s) and age(s) plus registering adult's name. Place "Festival Registration" in subject line. For additional information, call 313.778.1550. Download the reading festival flyer (PDF)

 

Read More

Reading Festival Postponed

The festival scheduled for Sat., Nov. 22 at the Redford Branch of the Detroit Public Library has been postponed. We'll let you know when a new date has been set. Until then, celebrate by checking out the 10th anniversary Recommended Reading List Kids Edition.

Read More

Reading festival registration deadline extended

If you missed the deadline, you've still got time! Registration has been extended to Sat., Nov. 15 for the festival, happening Sat., Nov. 22 from 1-3 p.m. at the Redford branch of the Detroit Public Library. RSVPs are requested so we have enough prizes and treat bags. It's easy to register! Just email nirmvdetroit@gmail.com with participant(s) name(s) and age(s) plus registering adult's name. Place "Festival Registration" in subject line. We hope you'll join us to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Recommended Reading List Kids Edition. Download the flyer (pdf).

Read More

Save the Date: A Reading Festival to Celebrate the 10th NIRMV Reading List Kids Edition

Join us on Sat., Nov. 22, 2025 from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Redford branch of the Detroit Public Library for an afternoon of fun to say happy 10th anniversary to the NIRMV Reading List Kids Edition. The celebration will feature the 2025 list launch, prizes, grab & go bags, snacks and treats, and more. Download the flyer (pdf).

RSVP requested. Registration deadline is Oct. 17, 2025. Early registration is encouraged. To register, email nirmvdetroit@gmail.com with participant(s) name(s) and age(s) plus registering adult's name. Place "Festival Registration" in subject line. For additional information, call 313.778.1550.

Read More

Stepping Out With Rhosebuds at Literacy Month Event

NIRMV enjoyed hosting a March 7, 2020 literacy/reading month event for Rhosebuds of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. - Rho Sigma Chapter at the Detroit Public Library Main Branch. The event featured interactive experiences. They included return of The Classic Book Experience with The Little Red Hen featuring originator NIRMV Literacy Chair Erica Dean. NIRMV Awards/Recogniton Chair and Literacy Team Member Shirley Berry facilitated Coloring Insights. A tour of library areas designed for children and teens was another highlight. The Rhosebuds are proof that our future is in good hands. NIRMV looks forward to partnering with their advisory team to help them continue blossoming and developing skills and talents.

Read More

NIRMV Recommended Reading List Tenth Anniversary Highlights

After a decade of creating and distributing the NIRMV Recommended Reading List, our dedicated team felt there was great cause for celebration. We had a great time throughout 2018 sharing news about our signature literature focus with diverse people from kids to seniors. Children at Metropolitan Detroit Area Boys & Girls Clubs enjoyed participating in NIRMV Adventure Land plus Face of Greatness Coloring Contest linked to kids list books and authors. The climatic event for the list was held at Detroit Public Library Main Library as a complement to a month and half showcase exhibit set up near library's Cass Avenue entrance. Featured authors of list selections were present to share insights and readings plus conduct book signings/giveaways. They included Anne Doyle, Jean Alicia Elster and Gwen Lewis. It was thrilling to hear selections from the Detroit Public Library Choir. Long-time NIRMV Recommended Reading List team member and supporter, educator Erica Dean, received an outstanding leadership award. Another highlight was presentation of award to the NIRMV The Next Chapter Teen Essay Contest Winner. To encourage inspirational reading of books from all genres, NIRMV gave away and donated list books throughout the year. Read on!

Read More

NIRMV Inspirational Insights Series Launch Highlights

NIRMV Inspirational Insights Series was launched with an enthusiastic group of participants on November 3, 2018 at Detroit Public Library Redford Branch.

(Photo: NIRMV Founder Darlene House (left) and speaker Dr. Paula Duren, Universal Dementia Coach)






This successful event was an official celebration for NIRMM 2018. Thanks again to the highly-informative and engaging speakers -- Make Your Date Detroit's Monica Zdanukiewicz, MPH, OMS-II; Dr. Paula Duren, Universal Dementia Coach and Jacqueline Butts, Creator of "My Life is in a Bag."

(Photo: Speaker Monica Zdanukiewicz, Make Your Date Detroit)

(Photo: Speaker Jacqueline Butts, "My Life in in a Bag)















Congratulations to NIRMV Volunteer of the Year Award Winner Cathleen Hagan (left) and NIRMV Literary Award Winner Significant Scribe Supporter Karen White-Owens (below center). Stay tuned for more events in the series.

Read More

NIRMV Shares Wealth From Money Smart Week

NIRMV was delighted to share the wealth of  information and wisdom in Money Smart Week handouts remaining from its Smart Money Decisions event. The handouts were given to Detroit Public Library Chaney Branch Manager Barbara. She was delighted to accept them and vowed to distribute them to the library branch's patrons. NIRMV and its president has previously partnered with the Chaney Branch for programs, events and information distribution and sharing for its patrons.

Read More

NIRMV President Supports Volunteer of the Year Award Winner Sylvia Hubbard

NIRMV President Darlene House joined Volunteer of the Award Winner Sylvia Hubbard for her Self Publishing and Social Media Workshop on March 17, 2018 at Detroit Public Library Chaney Branch. The well-attended event facilitated by NIRMM/NIRMV long time supporter and social media guru/Hub Books owner/Motown Writers Network Co Founder afforded an enlightening opportunity for a  great reunion. 

Read More

A True Hero Imprint Experience Fundraiser

This event was held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at Detroit Public Library Chaney Branch at 2 p.m. It marked the first successful fund raiser for NIRMV.

A total of $350 was raised from sale of Darlene’s most recent book, The City Shining: Visions of the New Cosmopolitan Metropolis. Copies were generously donated by Stellar Scholars Principal Frank Dattilo (left), who also presented and hosted the event as tribute day for Darlene House.

Author Darlene House with her book, The City Shining

NIRMV Vice President Maureen McGerty gave remarks about NIRMM and NIRMV. NIRMV Treasurer Cynthia Hines and Director James Hines were also in attendance along with many other NIRMM and NIRMV volunteers and supporters.

NIRMV Vice President Maureen McGerty 

All photos by Jackie Butts

Read More

NIRMM Salute Kick-Off

The event was held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Detroit Public Library Redford Branch at 3:30 p.m. with long-term NIRMM Media Specialist/Publicity Raye Russell as scheduled featured speaker. Pictured below: NIRMV Treasurer Cynthia Hines, NIRMV President Darlene House and Director James Hines with the NIRMM sign.

Cynthia brought the official NIRMM sign created by NIRMM Volunteer Ulonda Davis Campbell of Creative Concepts, for celebration and enhanced awareness. The aforementioned featured speaker had family emergency, involving caregiving for her aunt, which substantially delayed arrival possibilities. Thus, the decision was made to just discuss NIRMM 2017 celebration plans and serve refreshments. Darlene and Director Nancie Coley served as presenter and moderator and refreshment hostess respectively.

NIRMM Coordinator Director Nancie Coley is pinned with
official celebration button to acknowledge status

Event highlights:

• Revelations about NIRMM origin/traditional celebration components
• Official acknowledgement of Nancie Coley as new NIRMM Coordinator
• Reflections on NIRMM 2017 Theme: “Gaining Inspiration from Lessons Learned and Unforgettable Experiences”
• Spotlighting NIRMM 2017 Historic Role Model Edward S. Curtis, Photographer/Writer who studied and shared legacy of North American Indians
• Distribution of NIRMM/NIRMV handouts including “It’s Wonderous What a Hug Can Do” calligraphy flyer from Calligraphy by Coley plus NIRMV Recommended Reading Lists
• Discussion of national directory listings and supporter efforts
• Acknowledgement of increased number of online postings for NIRMM information
• Information sharing about NIRMM Facebook Challenge created and posted by NIRMV Director David Watkins
• Invitation to view NIRMM 2017 Showcase at Redford Township District Library throughout November
• Invitation to attend Detroit Public Library Chaney Monthly Book Club Meeting on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. featuring NIRMM celebration and NIRMV Recommended Reading List Adults Edition selection The Game of Life and How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn

NIRMV President Darlene House reads from book selected for
 partner event with Detroit Public Library Chaney Book Club

NIRMV Director David Watkins receives set of official
2017 NIRMM handouts from NIRMV President Darlene House

All photos by Jackie Butts

Read More