Amanda McLaren

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
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