Detroit Library to catalog Coleman A. Young's papers

DETROIT (AP) - The Detroit Public Library is preparing to organize and catalog the papers of late-Mayor Coleman A. Young.

The Detroit Free Press reports that the project will begin next month and take about two years to complete.

An $87,400 Council on Library and Information Resources grant will pay for the work. Young's communications with Detroit residents, departments, local, state and federal officials is held in 1,175 boxes.

Part-time archivists on the project plan to report interesting findings on online blogs.

Young was Detroit's first black mayor. He was elected in 1973 and held office for two decades.

Papers have been processed for mayors holding office prior to Young and for Dennis Archer, his immediate successor. A library official says the size of Young's collection has kept it from being cataloged.