Benzonia Public Library - Serving all of Benzie County, Michigan.
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Renovations at BPL 2017

Remodeled and really beautiful,  
​now it’s time to enjoy.

An anonymous donation in 2014 set the
Benzonia Public Library on a path to
update the physical spaces inside the library. 
Renovations were completed Spring 2017. 

We used funds donated to the library over the years (and saved for a major project like this).  We also used the funds from a special renovation appeal last year to improve the children’s room, which we had left for last – but not least!  We asked donors to “picture a library that can serve your grandchildren just like it served your grandparents.”

​Working within the constraints of a 1909 building with many rooms, we have:
  •  Insulated exterior walls (warmth is so mundane…)
  • Brightened the walls
  • Added an electronic fireplace to replace the non-functional Academy fireplace
  •  Improved shelving (all the shelves are now adjustable – and level)
  •  Reconfigured the public bathroom so it opens onto the hallway
  • Removed old showers (no more file cabinets in defunct showers!)
  • Created a teen space by removing walls (we call it the "YA nook”)
  • Added mini-split air conditioning
  • Added cellular shades
  • Improved the lighting (with the latest additions being LED)
  • Made the staff room a more desirable place to work with counters, cabinets, more outlets, --- and no smell of bat guano in the walls.
  • Replaced the cramped public computer carrels with long counters in a better location
  • Added tables and chairs for sitting with books and newspapers or laptops or historic photo albums
  • Created a meeting room that groups can schedule to use for their events
And this description doesn’t even touch on this year’s remarkable and creative changes to the children’s room.
 
We thank our local vendors and contractors, see list.
 
We especially thank all those who have donated to the library through the years.  Our millage is spent entirely on operations, and donors supplied the renovation funds. Other donors help supplement our operations budget. 
We couldn’t do the things we do without their generosity. 
 
A nicer environment is wonderful, but it is the staff and programs and collection which make this library special.


REMODELED AND REALLY BEAUTIFUL!
Remodeling photo
Remodeling photo
Remodeling photo
Picture
Remodeling photo
Remodeling photo
We're almost done!

Picture
NONE of the funds for renovation come from the
Benzonia Township voted millage for library operations. 
We thank all who have donated funds to the Library
​over the years so that updates such these are possible.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST!

Activities and Events:

February 2023
  2 Friends of BPL Annual Meeting
  3 Story Time with Miss Anne
10 Story Time with Miss Anne
15 Trustee Meeting
17 Story Time with Miss Anne
24 Story Time with Miss Anne

March 2023
  3 Story Time with Miss Anne
10 Story Time with Miss Anne
15 Trustee Meeting
17 Story Time with Miss Anne
24 Story Time with Miss Anne
24 Story Time with Miss Anne

Calendar of Events

Link to Google map >

About Us:

Annual Reports
Board of Trustees
Contributions & donations
Donations- Money
​Donations-Books and puzzles.
Friends of BPL
History
Hours-Service & Holiday
Location and map
Minutes and Agendas
Newsletters

Services:

Picture
Benzie County Logging Tapes
Catalog -Library
Catalog -Kids'
​Computers and Internet
Copies & Faxes
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Endowment Fund
Ice Skate Lending
Library of Things
Listening Clarity Devices
​MeL Interlibrary Loan
Mentor Program
​Mich eLibrary
Newspaper Archives
Remembering Benzie: An Oral History Project
​Talking Book Library​
Transparent Language
Up North Digital Collection-Overdrive
WiFi 24/7
YouTube Channel for BPL

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
benzonialibraryconnect@gmail.com
891 Michigan Ave. (US-31)
P.O. Box 445
Benzonia, MI 49616-0445

HOURS: 
​Monday-Friday, 10 am-6 pm
Saturday, 10 am-2 pm
Sunday, Closed

WiFi available 24-7
 
Drop box is available for returns  EXCEPT STEM Kits, Library of Things Equipment, and Ice Skates. 


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
Visit our Donation Info. Page>


This Website is maintained by volunteers to help keep you 
informed, entertained, and excited about our wonderful Library.
Copyright © 2023,  Benzonia Public Library
Drawing of Mills Community House
by Ruth Forrest, Beulah, MI