Houghton Lake Public Library

Library Showcase:

Is this possible? Has it been done before? Will people be interested? We are small, can we do this? These are questions that library staff may ask when discussing a new idea for the library. At the Houghton Lake Public Library, when staff is asked to charge into the waters of the unknown, they respond with an enthusiastic” Let’s try it!” The “team” of “adventure seekers” is lead by an enthusiastic leader, Donna Alward.

The library’s “can do” attitude has resulted in a number of awards for the library. In March of this year, they were named one of the best small libraries in America. “The library was among the nearly 150 public libraries nominated for The Best Small Library in America Award and one of four to receive a "Special Mention." Co-sponsored by Library Journal and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the award was founded to encourage and showcase the exemplary work of libraries serving populations under 25,000. The criteria for the award included creativity in developing model services and programs, innovations in public access computing, demonstrated community support, and evidence of the library's role as a community center.” http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,+7-160-18835_18895_20702-112478--,00.html#ats4

In 2001, the library was the first library to receive the State Librarian’s Excellence award. They were chosen for this honor based on their exemplary customer service. http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,+7-160-18835_18896-17746--M_2001_11,00.html

The award came with $5,000 in privately raised funds.

In 2002, the library went through a renovation. They were able to finance the structural renovations using library funds, but the decorative and finishing touches were made possible by a variety of sources. The library used the $5,000 from the Excellence Award to create a reading area with a large fireplace and oak bookshelves where new books are placed. A grant for $25,000 for new furniture for the community meeting room was awarded by the Gerstacker Foundation. A Smart Kids grant funded a smart board that they have built into their meeting room. Local grants from Kiwanis and Bank One helped with computer furniture, meeting room blinds, and custom fitted window seats in the children’s area. These and other grants during the past six years now total $122,171.06 to enhance library services and programming.

From their list of “let’s see what happens” programs, they sponsored a Battle of the Books competition for 4 th – 6 th grades, between their library and the Gerrish-Higgins School District Public Library. Some of the twelve teams were coached by Retired and Senior Volunteer Personnel RSVP and included two individuals that were 74+ years old. The teams and coaches had a great time with the battle and one of the Houghton Lake teams was victorious. A grant form the Michigan Humanities Council funded the purchase of books and a visit by the award-winning, nationally known author, Christopher Paul Curtis.

Another innovative program that they recently sponsored was “Popcorn and Pages”. Sixth through Eight graders came together for 5 after school programs to discuss books. As a result of the program, a teen advisory group has formed and will be making recommendations for a teen space and for teen programs.

Multiple copies of the books used for Battle of the Books and Popcorn & Pages are now available through interlibrary loan. (The list of books is attached.)

The library works hard to increase library awareness and has had an open-door policy for more than a decade. Library promotional material is available and distributed. But their best form of advertising is their patrons. The Houghton Lake community whole-heartily supports the library. Volunteers tend the gardens, work with children and have even come with buckets and cleaning rags in hand to spring clean library shelves after the renovation project!

The library is working on QSAC certification. They are in the process of converting to Innovated Interfaces software so that in the spring of 2006 they may participate in the MeLCat project.

The awards and recognition that the Houghton Lake Public Library receives is encouraging for them, but their ultimate reward is seeing the joy and happiness of their patrons as they use and enjoy the library and the services it has to offer. We salute the Houghton Lake Public Library for all they have done for their community and are proud to have them as a member of the Mid-Michigan Library League.

Mid-Michigan Library League- 210 1/2 N. Mitchell- Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: 800-968-0046 Fax: 800-968-3297

Website design: Holly Mercer
Last Update: March 29, 2007