Benzonia Public Library - Serving all of Benzie County, Michigan.
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Research and Archives


Benzie County Historic newspapers-Digitized: Click here for link>

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The library has Benzie County Plat books and cemetery indexes, along with tombstone photographs available to use.  The Michigan Room houses the Bruce Catton collection and books about Michigan's rich history or books written by Michigan authors.  

We have newspaper subscriptions for the Benzie County Record Patriot and Traverse City Record Eagle. You are also encouraged to use the Michigan eLibrary to augment the print collection of research materials found in the building. 

The Library also has bound, print issues of the Benzie Banner/Record Patriot dating back to 1888.  If you are interested in looking at the bound issues, please contact the Library in advance to schedule an appointment and let them know what time year(s) you would like to see.  The bound newspapers are currently in storage and staff will need at least a 24 hour notice to retrieve the appropriate books you wish to review.   The Benzie County Historic Newspapers are also digitized ...   Click here for link>

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Michigan Room Historical Archives Project
BPL would like to thank Cheri Dundon for her tireless efforts in organizing the priceless collection of photos, pamphlets, old letters, and historical information that we have at the library. Cheri grew up in Kalamazoo and  visited this area for many years. In 2009 she and her husband retired to Benzie County and spent a year relaxing and settling in. In 2010 Cheri began volunteering at BACN, and still works there today. Fueled by a fierce love of history and wanting to learn more about her community, Cheri began volunteering at the Benzie Area Historical Society last year. Cheri’s first big project was in the form of 600 burial permits for Benzonia ranging from 1912-1940. She recorded and transferred all the information to the database where it is available to the public today! After finishing, for some reason, Sheri asked, “what next?” For the last 6 months Cheri has been diligently working on the wealth of historical items from BPL. In the newly renovated Michigan Room, you will find photo albums full of historical photos, sorted according to location and identified when possible. We are so grateful to Cheri for all the work she has already done and for the work she continues to do! BPL is very lucky in the fact that Cheri is a firm believer in finishing a project once it is started. This has been and continues to be quite a project! Stop by to look through the history, and keep stopping by, as Cheri finishes more and more of the albums!

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Activities and Events:

  • BPL By Appointment
  • Computer Center By Appointment
  • Curbside Pick-up
  • Ice Skate Lending
  • Online Pre-school Storytime with Miss Desiree
  • ​PoWeR Book Bags at BPL

February 2021
Fridays: Online Pre-school Storytime with Miss Desiree

March 2021
  4 Friends of BPL Annual Meeting-online
10
Trustees Meeting- Online
21 What the Eyes don't See-virtual program

Fridays: Online Pre-school Storytime with Miss Desiree


Calendar of Events

About Us:

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

Services:

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Benzie County Logging Tapes
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:
Library Service Curbside and By Appointment Only
Monday 11-2
Tuesday, 2-5
Wednesday 4-7
Thursday, 2-5
Friday 11-2
      
Building access by appointment only until further notice. 

Please place all returns in drop box. WiFi available 24-7.



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>

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Copyright © 2017 
Benzonia Public Library
Drawing of Mills Community House 
by Ruth Forrest, Beulah, MI