On October 7th I had the pleasure of driving up to Charlevoix on a picture-prefect Michigan autumn day, complete with full color and a cloudless blue sky. I arrived in Charlevoix for the grand opening of the new Charlevoix Public Library. The building is a renovated 1927 school building that also includes two additions.
As you can see from this picture of CPL Director Val Meyerson and me, the renovation included restoration of some beautiful original tile-work and other original decor. The large room housing the main adult collection is in the old gymnasium, and Val informed me that the original wooden ceiling of the gym just needed to be fully cleaned and dusted off, and is used as-is in the current building.
The crowd gathered at noon or so and included long time Library of Michigan friend and current board member Fran Pletz and several of her family members from the Charlevoix area and way beyond. Things kicked off with the high school band marching from the old building several blocks down to the new one, playing an inspired round of "You're a Grand Old Flag." The event, which was held outdoors, finished off with the release of two cages full of white doves that flew silently off into the blue. It was great!
Congratulations to the Charlevoix community and to the library director, staff, board, and friends. When you are next in their area, be sure to stop by and see the beautiful result of their restoration and transformation of the old school building into a state-of-the art public library!
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