Loutit District Library starts a new chapter
Since the 1870s, a library has been an important part of the community of Grand Haven, Mich. Then, books were a luxury and not available to many. Today, a library is a place to share books as well as tapes, disks, magazines, newspapers, internet access and genealogy services. Those relevant resources continue to make the library an important community center for area residents, organizations and businesses.
In the summer of 2009, the Loutit District Library celebrated the return to its downtown site at Fulton and Columbus after temporarily relocating to allow a multi-million dollar, 17-month building expansion and facility renovation. With a new interior design, updated furnishings and 21,500 additional square feet, the library now can provide community programs and services not possible in the previous smaller space.
Area voters approved the library expansion proposal. And with the help of two capital campaigns that raised funds from supportive individuals and organizations, the library project was completed. Contributors include the JSJ Foundation and several individuals from the JSJ families. The new Adult Wing is named after Barbara and Miller Sherwood, the Youth Wing is named for Mart and Dottie Johnson, and the Family Deck is named for Marion and Ruth Sherwood, in recognition of their generous donations.
"Education is one of the key areas that the JSJ Foundation supports, and we are pleased to provide support to the Loutit District Library's new facility, which is a source of education for the entire community," says JSJ Foundation's Chairman Lynne Sherwood. "One important feature of the library is its genealogy section, which includes research tools and historical documents that track the history of generations of families in the Tri-Cities area."
About the library's reopening
Article in the Grand Haven Tribune
Story and video on wzzm13.com
About Loutit District Library
Please visit: www.loutitlibrary.org