Negaunee Public Library providing entertainment to residents since late 1800s
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EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part four of a six-part series on local libraries in Marquette County for Library Appreciation Week.
NEGAUNEE -- The Negaunee Public Library has been providing a place for residents to read and find entertainment since the late 1800s.
According to the Negaunee Public Library webpage, a group of public-spirited citizens came together in 1890 to provide a place for residents of Negaunee to read and obtain books for home entertainment and study.
The first librarian of Negaunee was Thomas Flynn who served from Oct. 8, 1890 until 1894. NPL's current librarian is Jessica Holman, who has held the position since June of 2014.
Throughout Holman's time as librarian for NPL, she has hosted several community events.
"We don't charge for events or public library services," Holman said. "So we are a place where people, regardless of their personal life circumstances, can enjoy and be here without any expectations."
On Mondays, she does an all ages online storytime and on Wednesdays there is knitting and the Wings of Fire group. Wings of Fire is open to all interested youth, ages 8 and up. The group does crafts, book discussions and sometimes writes fan-fiction.
Holman said with the middle school up the road, kids will come to the library after school for the programs or to wait for a ride.
She also hosts Dungeons & Dragons at NPL, which has led her to see improvements in reading comprehension, developing teamwork skills, and being able to relate and communicate better through the game.
"I love igniting a passion in reading for young people," Holman said.
NPL is also home to Negaunee Friends of the Library. The nonprofit and non-political organization meets with the purpose of focusing public attention to the library, stimulate use of the library's resources and services, and to support and cooperate with the library in developing services, facilities and programs for the community.
According to NPL's webpage, the main fundraiser is the annual used book sale, held every year during Pioneer Days. There is also the annual Valentine's Tea and book sale in February.
Membership is $5 per year and open to all interested in advancing the purposes of the library.
Outside of programs and events, NPL offers a variety of books, music and movies for patrons to check out. Audiobooks and eBooks are even free to download to a computer, eBook reader or smartphone at home or anywhere with service. Patrons will need a library card and internet to download these items.
"We do a lot for the community on a shoestring budget," Holman said. "We can get thousands of books, music and movies from different libraries around the state so it's just not limited to the 30,000 items on our shelf."
To learn more about the NPL or for announcements, visit cityofnegaunee.com/negaunee-public-library or on Facebook at facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary.