MARQUETTE — The Peter White Public Library invites the public to celebrate the completion of its $4.2 million capital improvement project from 1-3 p.m. Friday.

Everyone can enjoy library tours, guest speakers, cake, coffee and the music of Kerry Yost and Harry South.

In August 2017, Marquette residents voted to approve a $4.2 million bond at an estimated rate of .4796 mill. In April 2018, Youth Services was temporarily relocated to the Westwood Mall in Marquette Township during the six-month-long reconstruction of the lower level of the library. Reconstruction saw the expansion of the Youth Services area on the lower level, including the addition of a new Tween Area with tree benches, donated in memory of Shirley Taccolini and Carolyn Piirala, are feature pieces that reflect Marquette’s natural beauty.

A new Youth Programming room was built, allowing the Community Room to be more widely used. A new centralized service desk was added and the boat desk was upcycled into an interactive play area.

The Marquette Arts and Culture Center also saw the renovation of office space and galleries, and a new sound proofing between the MACC and the Community Room, a request often made by community members.

During the summer and fall of 2018 crews also repaired a large crack on the historic 1904 facade and foundation, as well as repairing the roof, resealing the windows and installed a new chiller.

The original Front Street stairs were also rebuilt after inspections revealed structure failure.

Carpet was replaced throughout the building this past winter along with updated lighting fixtures, wiring, technology upgrades, the construction of three new group study rooms on the upper level, the creation of a new Local History Research Room and the relocation of all the collections.

Retired librarians started a fundraising campaign to add a new Reference Desk. The group raised over $14,000 toward the desk project. Other changes include a new vending/eating area on the main level, self-check machines to provide optional self-check for families in Youth Services on the lower level and on the main level, new soft-seating on every level, complete overhaul of the library elevator, a reception/gathering area outside the Community Room, Youth Services and MACC, and a new book drop installed inside the parking lot entrance doors.

Questions about the renovation celebration can be directed to Andrea Ingmire, library director, at 906-226-4303.