| Founded | 1891 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 217 N. Front St. Marquette, Michigan 49855 |
| Key people | Director: Pamela R. Christensen |
| Website | www.pwpl.info |
The Peter White Public Library is a public library and community center in the City of Marquette, Michigan. The library building has stood at 217 North Front Street since 1904. An extensive renovation and addition was completed in 2000. The building also houses the Marquette Arts and Culture Center, and Tu Kaluthia Café. The library is named after Peter White, a local businessman, postmaster, real estate developer, Michigan Congressman, and philanthropist who lived from 1830 – 1908.[1]
In fiscal year 2010-11 the library contained over 242,000 items – including books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, art prints, and other formats. During that same year, the library welcomed an average of 985 visitors per day and circulated a total of 338,890 items. The library is operated by the City of Marquette. Nine townships in Marquette County also contract library services with the library, bringing the total population served to over 36,000. The library serves persons who live or own property in the following communities: City of Marquette, Chocolay Township, Ewing Township, Marquette Township, Powell Township, Sands Township, Skandia Township, Turin Township, Wells Township, and West Branch Township. The Library maintains remote book drops for the return of materials in Powell, Sands, and Skandia Townships. These drops are located at the respective township halls.
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Wireless internet access is available throughout the library. This service is provided free to any wireless user. Wireless printing is also provided at a cost of $0.10 per page.
Wired ethernet jacks are also available to the public. Electrical outlets are located at most study carrels.
The library has approximately 40 computer stations for patron use, including two “15 minute express stations” that do not require a log-in.
Numerous online resources are available at the library.[2]
The library's own website also provides access to the shared SirsiDynix library catalog, and links to online resources available to library patrons.
The library has two library boards, a controlling board and an advisory board. The controlling board is the Peter White Public Library Board of Trustees.[4] Board members are appointed by the Marquette City Commission. The advisory board is made up of members appointed by the townships contracting services with the library.
Public library service in Marquette, Michigan began in 1871 when the library was located in City Hall. The Peter White Public Library was formally founded by an Act of Michigan Legislature in 1891.[5]
The historic building at the corner of Front and Ridge Streets was completed in 1904. The building was designed by Patton and Miller Architects of Chicago, Illinois. A renovation and expansion project designed by Frye Gillan Molinaro Architects, also of Chicago, was completed in October 2000. This $9.0 million project was funded by a $4.5 million city bond issue and $4.5 million capital campaign. The current facility is 63,000 square feet (5,900 m2). The original building and subsequent renovations have been made possible not only through the generosity of the library namesake, but many other benefactors, and the taxpayers who support the Library.
In 2007 the library received a Library of Michigan Foundation Citation of Excellence from State Librarian Nancy Robertson.[6] The award recognized the library for providing excellent service and meeting the needs of the community in a friendly, cost-effective, and innovative way. The library has also been cited in Hunt’s Guide to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Marquette point of interest.[7]
In December 2010 the library received a National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).[8] The Medal is awarded to ten libraries or museums in the United States each year.