BPL Librarians 2021
BPL librarians were highlighted during National Library Week 2021
Scroll down to see what they have to say.
Scroll down to see what they have to say.
Sue Smith, Michelle Leines, Janet Gould, Amanda McLaren, and Cindy Brant
Sue Smith
Happy National Library Week! Throughout the week we will be celebrating via Facebook with all of you! We will also be featuring one of our lovely librarians each day of the week. Today we connect with Sue Smith!
"I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card."
Laura Bush.
You are never too old to learn. What I have gained from our curbside service is I now know most makes and models and colors of cars. I appreciated all the thank-yous and kind comments as I met you at your windows and trunks. The most fun was delivering PoWeR Book Bags to the kids and hearing their excitement. And I know as I looked at the twinkle in everyone’s eyes that you were all smiling under those masks.
I thank everyone for your support and can’t wait to see you at the check-out desk again. Keep on reading and sharing.
My latest read is Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. I remember reading the Grapes of Wrath when I was in school and how it moved me. This author describes the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression and the migration to California from a woman’s point of view. It’s definitely “I am Woman hear me Roar” as the main character finds her strength.
Sue Smith
"I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card."
Laura Bush.
You are never too old to learn. What I have gained from our curbside service is I now know most makes and models and colors of cars. I appreciated all the thank-yous and kind comments as I met you at your windows and trunks. The most fun was delivering PoWeR Book Bags to the kids and hearing their excitement. And I know as I looked at the twinkle in everyone’s eyes that you were all smiling under those masks.
I thank everyone for your support and can’t wait to see you at the check-out desk again. Keep on reading and sharing.
My latest read is Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. I remember reading the Grapes of Wrath when I was in school and how it moved me. This author describes the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression and the migration to California from a woman’s point of view. It’s definitely “I am Woman hear me Roar” as the main character finds her strength.
Sue Smith
Michelle Leines
Happy National Library Week! Throughout the week we will be celebrating via Facebook with all of you! We will also be featuring one of our lovely librarians each day of the week. Today we connect with Michelle Leines!
I love being part of the BPL team & am happy we were able to offer curbside services plus library visits & computers by appointment during the past year. I've missed seeing all our wonderful patrons, but I've enjoyed more reading time at home ranging from non-fiction to historical fiction with a cozy mystery binge tucked in for good measure. A couple of my favorites were "What the Eyes don't See" by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, "The Book of Lost Names" by Kristin Harmel, and the Bibliophile mystery series by Kate Carlisle (OverDrive only, 14 in series). I've also borrowed several books via MeL interlibrary loan about Quick Books & You Tube, now I need to start using the information (can we say procrastination?). I'm currently reading "The Consequences of Fear" by Jacqueline Winspear. She writes the Maisie Dobbs series & is one of my favorites.
I look forward to the future when I can enjoy spending time with family & friends. Stay safe & Healthy.
Warmly, Michelle.
I love being part of the BPL team & am happy we were able to offer curbside services plus library visits & computers by appointment during the past year. I've missed seeing all our wonderful patrons, but I've enjoyed more reading time at home ranging from non-fiction to historical fiction with a cozy mystery binge tucked in for good measure. A couple of my favorites were "What the Eyes don't See" by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, "The Book of Lost Names" by Kristin Harmel, and the Bibliophile mystery series by Kate Carlisle (OverDrive only, 14 in series). I've also borrowed several books via MeL interlibrary loan about Quick Books & You Tube, now I need to start using the information (can we say procrastination?). I'm currently reading "The Consequences of Fear" by Jacqueline Winspear. She writes the Maisie Dobbs series & is one of my favorites.
I look forward to the future when I can enjoy spending time with family & friends. Stay safe & Healthy.
Warmly, Michelle.
Janet Gould
Happy National Library Week! Throughout the week we will be celebrating via Facebook with all of you! We will also be featuring one of our lovely librarians each day of the week. Today we connect with Janet Gould!
Happy National Library Week!
Every year, in January, award winning children’s books are announced by the American Library Association. I mark it on my calendar and eagerly await the release of the list of Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Michael L. Printz, and Pura Belpré winners so that I can see which we already have and request the others through MEL (inter-library loan). That way I can read them, without buying them, and decide which are books Benzonia Public Library should add to our collection. It’s an exciting time to be a children’s author…there is so much going on in our world to write about. I am impressed every year by the quality of these books and by how compassionately the authors handle issues of importance to children. I’d be honored to recommend children’s books for anyone interested.
I was pleased this year that Mrs. McClellan from Crystal Lake Elementary facilitated a reading group that took part in the Battle of the Books in Grand Traverse county. I read all of the books the girls read and Amanda McLaren (our fantastic director) was great and ordered all of the books and many of the sequels.
Recently I was asked to “weed” the children’s non-fiction section of BPL. This means deciding which books to remove from our collection based on the fact that they are NOT being checked out. What a sad job… I understand that the Internet makes it so easy to find factual information on any subject, but it is much more difficult to verify that information online than it is in a book. After I finished “weeding” our non-fiction section is much smaller, which on the up side gives us more room for our growing graphic novel section. Check out our book sale if you are interested in finding some great non-fiction books!
I love working at Benzonia Public Library with such wonderful co-workers. I am really looking forward to a day when we can have children’s laughter bouncing off our library walls again. It is such a magical place to bring your children. So, stop buying books and get back to your local library, soon!!!
Optimistically, Janet
Happy National Library Week!
Every year, in January, award winning children’s books are announced by the American Library Association. I mark it on my calendar and eagerly await the release of the list of Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Michael L. Printz, and Pura Belpré winners so that I can see which we already have and request the others through MEL (inter-library loan). That way I can read them, without buying them, and decide which are books Benzonia Public Library should add to our collection. It’s an exciting time to be a children’s author…there is so much going on in our world to write about. I am impressed every year by the quality of these books and by how compassionately the authors handle issues of importance to children. I’d be honored to recommend children’s books for anyone interested.
I was pleased this year that Mrs. McClellan from Crystal Lake Elementary facilitated a reading group that took part in the Battle of the Books in Grand Traverse county. I read all of the books the girls read and Amanda McLaren (our fantastic director) was great and ordered all of the books and many of the sequels.
Recently I was asked to “weed” the children’s non-fiction section of BPL. This means deciding which books to remove from our collection based on the fact that they are NOT being checked out. What a sad job… I understand that the Internet makes it so easy to find factual information on any subject, but it is much more difficult to verify that information online than it is in a book. After I finished “weeding” our non-fiction section is much smaller, which on the up side gives us more room for our growing graphic novel section. Check out our book sale if you are interested in finding some great non-fiction books!
I love working at Benzonia Public Library with such wonderful co-workers. I am really looking forward to a day when we can have children’s laughter bouncing off our library walls again. It is such a magical place to bring your children. So, stop buying books and get back to your local library, soon!!!
Optimistically, Janet
Amanda McLaren
Happy National Library Week! Throughout the week we will be celebrating via Facebook with all of you! We will also be featuring one of our lovely librarians each day of the week. Today we connect with Amanda McLaren!
Throughout my 7 years as Director of Benzonia Public Library I have enjoyed so many memorable moments! Story times and puppet shows. Being part of the stunning renovations. Connecting with some truly amazing people. Fun, educational programs with presenters that are extremely passionate about what they do. BPL being selected to receive the State Librarian's Excellence in Library Services award. And that’s just a few examples!
I imagine that many of you have fond memories of libraries. Maybe the best ones are from your childhood or maybe they are more recent. Either way, I think we all know how incredibly special libraries are. I am very blessed to have a job I love in a place that I consider magical. I am beyond grateful to work every day with some of the kindest, most talented people I could ever hope to know. I am humbled to serve a community that appreciates the work that we do and cherishes what libraries stand for.
Happy National Library Week! Here’s to many, many more years of awesomeness at Benzonia Public Library! May we continue to celebrate and support libraries today and every day!
Much love, Amanda
Throughout my 7 years as Director of Benzonia Public Library I have enjoyed so many memorable moments! Story times and puppet shows. Being part of the stunning renovations. Connecting with some truly amazing people. Fun, educational programs with presenters that are extremely passionate about what they do. BPL being selected to receive the State Librarian's Excellence in Library Services award. And that’s just a few examples!
I imagine that many of you have fond memories of libraries. Maybe the best ones are from your childhood or maybe they are more recent. Either way, I think we all know how incredibly special libraries are. I am very blessed to have a job I love in a place that I consider magical. I am beyond grateful to work every day with some of the kindest, most talented people I could ever hope to know. I am humbled to serve a community that appreciates the work that we do and cherishes what libraries stand for.
Happy National Library Week! Here’s to many, many more years of awesomeness at Benzonia Public Library! May we continue to celebrate and support libraries today and every day!
Much love, Amanda
Cindy Brant
Happy National Library Week! Throughout the week we will be celebrating via Facebook with all of you! We will also be featuring one of our lovely librarians each day of the week. Today we connect with Cindy Brant!
Sharing information, education, and entertainment with others is the favorite pastime of a librarian! So to see our patrons (new and old!) return to the library this spring is like seeing robins return to northern Michigan - wonderful! I can't wait to enjoy beautiful Benzie this summer by gardening, camping, and lots of BEACH READING.
My latest read was The Children's Blizzard, by Melanie Benjamin. It is a poignant retelling of the events surrounding the January 1888 storm on the great plains of the midwest. The novel tells not just of the tragedies that befell our American ancestors, but also of their survival and triumph.
Sharing information, education, and entertainment with others is the favorite pastime of a librarian! So to see our patrons (new and old!) return to the library this spring is like seeing robins return to northern Michigan - wonderful! I can't wait to enjoy beautiful Benzie this summer by gardening, camping, and lots of BEACH READING.
My latest read was The Children's Blizzard, by Melanie Benjamin. It is a poignant retelling of the events surrounding the January 1888 storm on the great plains of the midwest. The novel tells not just of the tragedies that befell our American ancestors, but also of their survival and triumph.
Miss Desiree
Online Pre-School Story Time
with Miss Désirée
Videos drop Fridays at 10:30 am
Stories, crafts, and activities!
Happy National Library Week! In addition to our wonderful librarians, we also have some phenomenal volunteers, including the absolutely incredible, lovable and talented Miss Desiree!
Miss Desiree creates weekly fun for the kids with songs, stories, crafts and movement. When in person programming became impossible, Miss Desiree quickly switched gears doing online stories and putting together take home craft kits for kids to enjoy. We are very grateful to Miss Desiree for all that she has done and all she continues to do! Join her now for some Storytime FUN!
with Miss Désirée
Videos drop Fridays at 10:30 am
Stories, crafts, and activities!
Happy National Library Week! In addition to our wonderful librarians, we also have some phenomenal volunteers, including the absolutely incredible, lovable and talented Miss Desiree!
Miss Desiree creates weekly fun for the kids with songs, stories, crafts and movement. When in person programming became impossible, Miss Desiree quickly switched gears doing online stories and putting together take home craft kits for kids to enjoy. We are very grateful to Miss Desiree for all that she has done and all she continues to do! Join her now for some Storytime FUN!
Current StoryTime videos and crafts are on our Storytime Page>
To view past Storytime videos, including stories, monthly songs, and crafts, please visit
Benzonia Public Library You Tube Channel>
To view past Storytime videos, including stories, monthly songs, and crafts, please visit
Benzonia Public Library You Tube Channel>
