© 2024 Interlochen
CLASSICAL IPR | 88.7 FM Interlochen | 94.7 FM Traverse City | 88.5 FM Mackinaw City IPR NEWS | 91.5 FM Traverse City | 90.1 FM Harbor Springs/Petoskey | 89.7 FM Manistee/Ludington
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Interlochen Public Library opens new building

Hundreds of people were at Interlochen Public Library’s open house Wednesday. The mood was festive, and people were excited.

The building is a modern take on the northern Michigan cabin look – a mix of exposed wood and paint with high ceilings.

 It’s nearly double the square footage of the old building.

“I used to be a librarian,” says Elise Brooks, “and I’m just amazed that a town the size of Interlochen is behind something like this. It’s just gorgeous.” 

The new library has a separate room for children to play in and read, a community room and a commercial kitchen.

“When I first walked into the community room and saw the kitchen,” Rachel Harper says, “I got choked up because nutrition and food is such an important part of a healthy strong community.”

It took four years and 775 donations from individuals and foundations to build the new library. So far the building has cost nearly $3 million dollars.

The library is officially open on Thursday.

Morgan Springer is a contributing editor and producer at Interlochen Public Radio. She previously worked for the New England News Collaborative as the host/producer of NEXT, the weekly show which aired on six public radio station in the region.