Winter Events Newsletter
The Library’s winter events newsletter for December, January, and February is available here. Continue Reading
This December–Fund School Lunches for Fines
The Library continues its long tradition of waiving library fines, but this year it’s in support of a new cause. This December, patrons who contribute funds to Fund Lunches for Fines will have their overdue fines waived and the money collected will be given to the Public Schools of Petoskey food service program to pay for students’ lunches. Elementary school lunches are priced at $2.75; high school and middle school lunches are $3.00. “Patrons can contribute any amount, no questions asked, and we will waive all overdue fines on their card, or even the fines for another patron should someone want to just pay it forward,” said Public Services Librarian Jodi Haven. In 2017, the Library instituted a “no daily overdue fine” policy, which offers patrons flexibility in returning Petoskey District Library materials with an extended grace period. Haven encourages patrons even without fines to consider participating. For more information, please call 231-758-3100.
Service of the Month
For the month of December, Ask Us About…Ways to Give
Donations to the Library help keep new materials on the Library shelves, help maintain equipment and help us support our robust programming for all ages. There are many ways to give and we’re here to help guide you. For more information, please continue reading or call 231.758.3100. Continue Reading
Holiday Parking Promotion
From December 3 through Christmas Eve Day we are giving the gift of free parking! We are joining several other downtown businesses in this campaign to create goodwill toward downtown shopping. We hope that our patrons will enjoy using this complimentary parking spot on Waukazoo Avenue for all of their Library visits.
Wednesday and Friday Night Movie
This Wednesday (12-11) and Friday (12-13) the Petoskey Film Series and the Petoskey District Library will be showing the film Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (PG-13, 2019; 95 min). Films are shown at 7:30 p.m. at the Petoskey District Library Carnegie Building (the old library) at 451 East Mitchell. Donations are appreciated.
For more information on upcoming films call the PFT Movie Hotline at 758-3108 or check us out on Facebook®. To receive weekly email updates send an email to petoskey.film.theater4@gmail.com.
U.S. Census Bureau Recruitment
Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for conducting the nationwide census. The Census Bureau is recruiting to fill important temporary positions, at an hourly rate of $24.50. You can help your community! Apply for one of thousands of temporary #2020CensusJobs. Census results determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as how funds are spent on our roads, schools and hospitals. Apply online at 2020census.gov/jobs. A census recruiter will be onsite at the library in the second floor large meeting room to answer your questions or start the application process with you on the following dates:
Thursday, January 2, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 15, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 29, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
PDL Page Turners Book Club
We meet the third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the large meeting room (second floor). If you have any discussion comments or questions regarding our current title, please bring them with you to the next meeting. There will be no December meeting. Book club will resume on Tuesday, January 21.
Redistricting Commission
Now through June 1, 2020, you can apply to serve as one of 13 commissioners on the first-ever Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. Last November, Michigan voters decisively supported the “Voters Not Politicians” constitutional amendment that makes a commission of 13 randomly-selected citizens – not elected politicians, consultants or lobbyists – responsible for drawing fair and representative district lines for the Michigan Senate, Michigan House of Representatives and U.S. Congress. The commission is a historic opportunity for Michigan voters to draw electoral maps and give us more impartial elections.
All eligible Michigan citizens are encouraged to apply to serve on the commission, which does not require any special skills or expertise. The constitution simply requires that each commissioner performs his or her duties impartially and with integrity. The application takes about 15 minutes to complete, and commissioners will be compensated about $40,000 for their service. Commissioners will be randomly selected from the pool of eligible applicants in the summer of 2020 and will gather input from the public as well as census data to determine electoral district maps which will take effect for the 2022 elections. You can apply today or learn more at redistrictingmichigan.org.
What Michigan Residents Need to Know about Real ID
On Oct. 1, 2020, the federally mandated REAL ID law goes into effect, and if you travel by air, this law will impact you. REAL ID is the post-9/11 federal requirement that sets higher security standards for identification. Once in effect, a REAL ID will be required to board any U.S. flight or to enter some federal facilities. A REAL ID can be a U.S. Passport or an Enhanced Driver’s License – or you can turn your standard driver’s license into a REAL ID at the Secretary of State’s office. Learn more about the law and what documents you need to bring to get a REAL ID at www.Michigan.gov/REALID.
Michigan Activity Pass (MAP)
Did you know that your library card can be your best travel companion? Discover hundreds of Michigan’s cultural destinations and natural attractions with your Michigan library card! You can “check out” FREE or discounted admission passes (or other exclusive offers) to hundreds of Michigan state parks, campgrounds, museums, trails, arts & cultural destinations, seven National Park Service venues, and more. The Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) is the product of a partnership between 638 public library buildings and over 400 destinations. Use your valid library card to reserve and print a pass, either from home or at the library. Take that pass with you to the cultural attraction, and present it to staff. That’s all there is to it!
Each MAP pass expires within one week from the date it is printed. Limit one pass per library card every 7 days.
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Foundation Directory Online
Discover a wealth of information on searching for grants, writing proposals, establishing nonprofits, and fundraising at the Library. Through a subscription to Foundation Directory Online, users can search unique databases of information on more than 140,000 foundations, corporate donors, and grantmaking public charities and over 4 million of their recent grants. This service can be used free of charge on a Library computer. We currently can allow access to the directory from a Library computer one patron at a time, so it is recommended to call ahead to reserve a time slot. Continue Reading
Self-Checkout Kiosks
Petoskey District Library patrons can avoid lines and choose to checkout their own materials on one of three new touchscreen self-checkout kiosks. Patrons simply scan their physical library card (or card saver app), place items on the kiosk pad, print or email their receipt and they’re done. Fines and fees can be paid for quickly with the kiosks’ credit/debit card readers. Staff is ready and willing to teach patrons how to use the self-checkout kiosks which can be found near the first floor checkout desk, outside of the children’s room, and near the second floor reference room. Continue Reading
Cooking and Travel Databases
We are happy to introduce two new databases available for use remotely (log-in with your library card) or in the library on our computers or on your own device using our WI-FI connection. A to Z World Food™ is the world’s largest database of global food culture and recipes, with 6,500 recipes covering 174 countries, as well as 884 articles on national and regional cuisine, dining etiquette, and special occasion foods; 545 ingredient articles linked to recipes from around the globe; beverages, sauces, quotes, cooking conversions, food history, glossaries and more.
A to Z World Travel™ is a comprehensive travel resource with information about points of interest, security, transportation, food and recipes, culture, language, and more. With 202 World City Travel Guides covering over 67 topics each, plus an additional 56 travel resources it provides the knowledge you need to experience the world and all its wonders.
Mah Jongg
Join us every Monday, 10:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m in the library classroom for Mah Jongg, a game of skill, strategy, calculation and a certain amount of chance and luck. Mah Jongg originated in China about 2,000 years ago. The goal is to build a hand of 14 tiles and win. Come and play with others who enjoy this competitive game.
Book Club Kits
Attention book club members! As you are thinking about your next titles, you may want to consider checking out one of our book club kits. Choose from the following titles:
– A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman
– The Turner House, by Angela Flournoy
– Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl.
– The Little Paris Bookshop, by Nina George
– The Sympathizer, by Viet Thanh Hguyen
– Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston
– The Girls of Atomic City, by Denise Kiernan
– 1984, by George Orwell
– Commonwealth, by Ann Patchett
– Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson
– First Darling of the Morning, by Thrity Umrigar
– Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance —NEW
Visit here for descriptions of each of our book club kit titles.
Coming soon:
– A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles Continue Reading
Library Wins Grant to Support Tutoring Program
The Library is pleased to announce they are a recent recipient of a $750 Community Grant from Petoskey’s Walmart store #2417. Aligned with our mission to nurture knowledge, drive discovery, and connect community, this grant will support the Growing Readers Together program, a partnership between the Library and the Public Schools of Petoskey. Growing Readers Together, which is now in its second year, is a three-pronged approach to supporting children in their reading quest: direct tutoring for students, Family Literacy Nights to help families learn more skills to support their student’s achievements; and Brain Boxes, to provide materials for students to take home. Continue Reading