MORENCI — Learn about the power of the press when Michigan Notable Book author Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. visits Morenci’s Stair District Library.

Kennedy will speak at the library at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 6.

The Louisiana native is the author of the book “Citizen Printer,” which shows works from his Kennedy Prints poster shop in Detroit.

“I print posters for the masses,” Kennedy has said, noting that posters are an aggressive form of art that’s too loud to ignore.

Kennedy uses handset wooden and metal type (letterpress printing) to produce colorful posters that are often inspired by sayings, proverbs and quotes.

“I call for a better world through the power of the poster,” Kennedy says in his book. “I use printing to express Negro culture.”

Black printing started in the 1800s when pamphlets called for the end of enslavement. Later in the century the Black press exposed mob violence in the South.

In the 20th century, placards were printed to protest the discrimination of Jim Crow laws. In the 1960s, Black printing helped the civil rights movement flourish.

“I go back to that legacy,” Kennedy said. “I decided to devote my energies to reintroducing letterpress printing into Negro culture.”

The Library of Michigan’s annual Notable Books program honors up to 20  books published in the previous year that demonstrate the state’s cultural, historical and literary history.

This year’s selections range from fly fishing to the MC5 rock band, from Detroit autoworkers to the Detroit Lions. There are also several novels and a collection of northern Michigan recipes.

Kennedy’s visit marks the 13th Notable Books author to visit Morenci.

The Stair District Library is at 228 W. Main St., Morenci. For more information, call 517-458-6510.