Benzonia Public Library - Serving all of Benzie County, Michigan.
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Amanda McLaren

PictureAmanda McLaren, Nov. 2016
Amanda McLaren: Director

​Amanda McLaren has been director at BPL since January 2014.  She grew up in Lake Ann, attended Benzie Central High School, and lives in a cozy little house in Beulah.  In 1999, she married her best friend and Junior High sweetheart, Jimmy.  Love for the library is a family affair, with herself, Jimmy, and their three wonderful and bright children; Eric, 19, Finn, 14, and Sophie, 9.  From program set-up to presenting puppet shows, the entire family is excited and involved, offering ideas and moral support.  Amanda loves bustling about in her community, but her favorite things include being home with hot tea, fuzzy socks, and lots of really good books. 
 
Amanda began her library adventure as a small child, finding sanctuary among the stacks at her local library.  While volunteering at the Interlochen Public Library, she was able to realize her life long dream to become a certified librarian.  After 10 years, she was able to work in her immediate community, and left IPL for a position at Benzie Central Junior High.  At the school, her passion for working with children and young adults became apparent.  Amanda's contagious enthusiasm and friendliness were a natural fit for BPL.  As director, her goal has been to help serve the library community in new and diverse ways while holding firm to the library's traditional role as a hub of information and personal development. 
 
We are grateful every day to have Amanda here and can’t wait to see where she takes us going forward.
 
Published 2016-11

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Activities and Events:

December 2019
  9 Computer Help Desk with Dustin 
​  ​9 Marvelous Art with Mrs. McLaren
​10 Knitting Group ​​
​​12 Trustee Meeting
​13 Story Time with Miss Désirée 
14 
Holiday Party 
14 Community Story Gathering
 
16 
Computer Help Desk with Dustin ​
17 Knitting Group ​​
20 Story Time with Miss Désirée 
24 CLOSED CHRISTMAS EVE 
25 CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY
31 CLOSED NEW YEAR'S EVE ​

​January 2020
  1 CLOSED NEW YEAR'S DAY ​

Calendar of Events

About Us:

Annual Report 2018
Board of Trustees
Contributions & donations
Donations- Money
​Donations-Books, puzzles, DVDs, etc.
Friends of BPL
History
Hours-Service & Holiday
Location and map
Newsletters
Volunteer Opportunities

Services:

Picture
Catalog -Library
Catalog -Kids'
​Computers and Internet
Copies & Faxes
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Listening Clarity Devices
​MeL Interlibrary Loan
Mentor Program
​Mich eLibrary
Newspaper Archives
OverDrive
RB Digital
Remembering Benzie: An Oral History Project
​Talking Book Library​
Transparent Language
Up North Digital Collection
WiFi 24/7

Resources:

Benzonia Area Happenings
Books and Reading
Community Information
Genealogical Research
MeL Interlibrary Loan
Mich eLibrary Databases
Logging Audio Tapes
​OverDrive-Up North Digital

Contact Us:

231-882-4111
891 Michigan Ave. (US-31)
P.O. Box 445
Benzonia, MI 49616-0445

HOURS:
Monday, Wednesday 10-7
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10-5
Saturday 10-3

Sunday Closed


Donations: 
​​Friends of Benzonia Public Library
PO Box 445, Benzonia, MI 49616
501(c)(3) organization

Tax ID (EIN): 56-2542168
​Benzonia Public Library
PO Box 445, Benzonia, MI 49616
Section 170(c)(I) Governmental  Unit
Tax ID (EIN): 38-2493013
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Copyright © 2017 
Benzonia Public Library
Drawing of Mills Community House 
by Ruth Forrest, Beulah, MI