June Used Book Sale!

Herbs: Recipes, Crafts & Gifts at the East Grand Rapids Library! December 5, 2009

Successful and fun program by Connie Hanson! On December 5th a nice crowd enjoyed learning about spices, recipes and gifts. Tasting the goods that Connie brought to share was divine. The Friends hope to bring Connie back in spring 2010 to present another seasonal program. Stay tuned!



Join the Friends of the Library this Saturday, December 5 at 2:00pm for a special free workshop presented by Connie Hanson. Connie, former owner of the local Scents of Summer Herb Shop, will share recipes and herbal gift ideas. There will be plenty of tasting at this creative gathering! See you at the library!

Ash Grove String Quartet Concert Simply Wonderful!

Approximately 80 people attended our Sunday afternoon concert at the library. The musicians were well received by the crowd!

Even the little ones were entranced by the music!



Thanks to all who participated and attended!

Ash Grove String Quartet - November 22, 2009 2:00pm - 3:00pm - Classical Sunday Concert

Sunday, November 22, 2009 2:00pm - 3:30pm Free Concert
Join us in the East Grand Rapids Library on a fall afternoon with the beautiful sounds of the Ash Grove String Quartet.

Grand Rapids-based Ash Grove String Quartet plays intense works of once famous, nearly forgotten Italian, Spanish and Russian composers.

The Ash Grove String Quartet, which was formed about a dozen years ago, consists of Irena Kocharova and Mary Kladder on violins, Christy Wiersma on viola, and Lorene Turkalo on cello. They play for weddings, receptions, and other events, as well as performing string quartet concerts at Festival of the Arts, the Art Grand Rapids Art Museum and at Saint Cecelia. They are also active individually playing and teaching.

Music, a fireplace and a lovely comfortable setting for a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

FREE CONCERT

SAVE THE DATE- EGR Time Capsule: In celebration of the 50th Birthday of the East Grand Rapids Library - Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Friends team up with the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation to celebrate the library's 50th birthday. Daytime activities at the library for the whole family. Carol Johnson is entertaining at 3:00pm. Free to all during the day. The evening's event is a fundraiser. $30.00 per person or $50.00 per couple. Potato Moon will delight as you enjoy the food and cash bar. There will be some fantastic silent auction items up for grabs. Proceeds to benefit the EGR Library and the EGR Community Foundation. Please plan on joining us!






Afternoon Event: Carol Johnson, 3:00pm

"Accompanying herself on guitar, piano and banjo, and with a hearty dose of audience participation, Carol has indeed warmed hearts and lifted spirits of countless thousands through her delightful recordings and personable presentations." http://www.caroljohnsonmusic.com/

Evening Event: 7:00pm - 9:30pm

POTATO MOON is a country/blues/swing/rockn'roll/folk band from Michigan and is made up of siblings Bennie, Jane and Lu Lu Jones along with father Luther Jones and cousins Jimmy Jones and Midnight Jones. "After the Harvest" is their 5th album and the follow up to "Life of the Lonely Jones." It highlights Potato Moon's unique vocal harmonies, diverse songwriting, and rock n' roll/blues influences. The group started as a folk group but has, over time, revamped it's sound and lineup to include a more diverse repertoire.


http://www.potatomoon.org/home.html

Great Day Trip to Chicago!

A busload of Chicago sightseers had a fun time in the "windy city" on November 1, 2008. Many shopped, visited museums, strolled or took in a play. This was our second annual fundraising trip.

Come celebrate the Friends’ 50th with Jazz and Refreshments at the Library on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Click on Picture
The community is cordially invited to help the Friends of the EGR Library celebrate 50 years of togetherness. Please stop by to listen to wonderful jazz by William Huyge's Jazz Quartet, share some delicious anniversary cake and check out all that the library has to offer!

1958. Marion Branston on the left

DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EAST GRAND RAPIDS LIBRARY BRANCH OF THE KENT COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

1958

The Community of East Grand Rapids

The Officers and directors of the Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library 1958:

Mrs. Elbert Abbott, Mrs. Charles Cutter, Dr. Kenneth Nickel

Mrs. Harold Baer, Mrs. Irving Folger, Mrs. J. Boyd Pantlind,

Mrs. Craig Booher, Mrs. William Gallmayer, Mrs. Milton Peterman,

Mrs. George Branston, Mr. Dale Gasch, Mrs. Robert Richards,

Mrs. Samuel Capps, Mrs. Edward James, Mrs. Don Swartz,

Mrs. Luther Carpenter, Mrs. Frederick Mueller, Mrs. Stephen Tourre,

Mrs. George Clements, Mrs. C. Robert Muth, Mrs. Thomas Waugh,

Kent County Library System

Miss Joyce Pleune, Director, Kent County Library System

City of East Grand Rapids, Mayor and City Commissioners

Fantastic time had by quilters at February 2, 2008 full-day Ami Simms' "Twisted Sisters" workshop!

Friends of the EGR Library Celebrate their 50th Anniversary, 1958 - 2008, with special programs!

Ami Simms and 15 quilters enjoy the day, each making unique "Twisted Sisters" blocks.

Ami is the one in the green "Michigan rag fur" jacket! See if you can find her. Please also check out her site http://www.amisimms.com to see her books, patterns (including rag fur jacket), quilt workshops, lecture tour and charitable Alzheimer's project.

Sign-up Now for Full-day Quilting Workshop with Ami Simms! Visit http://www.amisimms.com

Friends of the

East Grand Rapids Library

sponsored

Ami Simms’

FULL- DAY QUILTING

WORKSHOP

TWISTED SISTERS

"TWISTED SISTERS"

Begin your own machine-pieced masterpiece!

Saturday, February 2, 2008

10:00am - 4:30pm

East Grand Rapids Community Center, Lower Level 746 Lakeside Dr., SE E. Grand Rapids, MI

$50.00 Workshop , includes:

CLASS FEE: $33.00 + REQUIRED TEMPLATE & PATTERN: $17.00

SKILL LEVEL : BEGINNER or INTERMEDIATE

Class space is limited. Please sign -up at the EGR Library now.

Library Phone: 616 - 647- 3880

Program Contact Information - Mary Dersch

E-mail: derschmary@netscape.net

Phone: 616-241-2092

Ami Simms is the author of eight books on quilting, Picture Play Quilts, How To Improve Your Quilting Stitch, Invisible Appliqué, Every Trick In The Book, Classic Quilts: Patchwork Designs From Ancient Rome, How NOT To Make A Prize-Winning Quilt, Creating Scrapbook Quilts, and Fun Photo-Quilts & Crafts. She is also the creator of the WORST Quilt in the World Contest®.

Ami has been leading workshops and giving lectures on quilting throughout the United States since 1982 and has taught quilting in Australia, Canada, England, Italy, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, and has also led quilting tours to Italy, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong. Up until 1983 she taught public school (second graders, then senior citizens). In 2005 she was named Teacher of the Year by Professional Quilter Magazine.

She has also appeared on television on the Home & Family Show, on "Simply Quilts" on HGTV and was a featured guest on Kaye Wood’s PBS show “Kaye’s Quilting Friends” with a segment on Twisted Sisters. She was most recently a guest on "Quilter's Toolbox." on QNN.

Ami’s interest in quilting began in 1975 while she was working on her undergraduate thesis in anthropology that focused on the old order Amish of northern Indiana. She boarded with an Amish woman and learned to take her first quilting stitches under her watchful eye.

Ami has completed over 200 quilts, of varying sizes, in both traditional and contemporary designs, both hand and machine quilted. Her quilts have been featured in several national magazines, a handful of books, and have been exhibited in juried competitions in California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

A resident of Flint, Michigan, Ami lives with her husband, Steve, and daughter, Jennie.

http://www.AmiSimms.com

Mallery Press, Inc.

4206 Sheraton Dr., Flint, MI 48532-3557

S

Friends Celebrate 50 Years, 1958 - 2008

(L - R) Mrs. Marion Branston and Mrs. Russell Prince

October 1957 A Community Library in East Grand Rapids?

The idea of a community library was proposed by Mrs. John Martin, East Grand Rapids PTA president in the October edition of East Highlights, East Grand Rapid’s Board of Education newsletter.

February 1958 Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library Organize

Mrs. Craig Booher, Mrs. George Branston, Mrs. Luther Carpenter and Mrs. Irving Folger, library supporters, established the Friends of the Library organization. They mounted a successful campaign to build a community library that included:

. . . a two month door-to-door membership drive which successfully rounded up 400 Friends members!

. . . printing and distribution of literature discussing the need and justification for a community library

. . . public and private community meetings with the mayor, city manager, city commissioners, supervisors, school officials, county supervisors and county library board members to discuss needs for a library

1958 Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library Campaign Successful!

It was concluded that a branch of the Kent County Library System should be established in East Grand Rapids.

August 1958

The Kent County Library Board voted to support the opening of the East Grand Rapids Library.

February 28, 1959 East Grand Rapids Library, a new branch of the Kent County Library System, opens its doors!

. . .First librarian was Betty Garver, Kent County Library System. She was assisted by one page that shelved books and helped at the circulation desk.

. . .The new library was located at 2168 Wealthy Street, SE. This site was originally a private home, but has housed the following businesses: The Bagpiper, Molesta Real Estate and Coldwell Realtors.

. . .It consisted of 700 square feet.

. . .The initial collection of books consisted of 1,700 Kent County Library books a loan of 1,100 books from the Michigan State Library in Lansing and books purchased

by the Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library.

. . .Library hours 1:30 to 6pm and 6:30 to 9pm Wednesday and Friday and from 10:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 5:30pm Saturday.

. . .Books and staff are supplied by the Kent County Library System, paid through county revenues. The city of EGR is responsible for maintaining the building and its contents. The city also pays into a County library fund.

Library Moves to a New Location!

More space is needed! The library relocates across the street to a space in the Ramona Shopping Center, 2154 Wealthy. This is where D & W is currently located.

. . .The library now has 1,200 square feet of floor space, leased on a month-to-month basis.

. . .the library serves mainly as a circulating library.

1962 The Library . . .the popular place to be!

. . .Approximately 5,000 people are registered library users!

. . .Circulation is about 5,000 books per month.

. . .The library is open twenty-three hours a week.

. . .the library serves mainly as a circulating library. A need is seen to increase the adult and children’s’ reference collection to support the growing community.

. . .It is clear that community library usage is growing!

Eunice is on the right

1962 - 1964 New Librarian Eunice VanderVeen

. . .stepped in as branch librarian when Betty Garver went to work at KCL headquarters.

. . .Eunice had been very involved in the organization and set-up of the original library as book stocker and substitute librarian.

1965 - 1968 New Librarian Dorothy “Dottie” Doten

. . .Dottie fondly remembers the many children’s story hours.

1965 “EGR Envisions Municipal Complex: may cost $480,000.” Grand Rapids Press, November 30, 1965.

. . .people of East Grand Rapids see the proposed plans for a new city complex consisting of a “library, general office building and a police-fire building.”

. . .City Manager Fred Tholen claims that “[The library] is really just a book dispensing factory. The space is so limited, [1,200 square feet] and children often sit on the floor during reading hours.”

1967 New Library in New City Complex Proposed and Confirmed!

. . .The current library is open 54 hours a week. Doubling hours!

. . .Circulation is approximately 10,000 books per month!

. . .Demand for library services from the community is strong!

. . .space is limited!

. . .Time for a new library building!

. . .Marvin DeWinter Associates was the architectural firm chosen to design the new city complex.

. . .Friends of the Library and the East Grand Rapids Library Commission submit their “Report on the Joint Committee on Building and Sites” proposing that 6,000 square feet be provided for the library.

1968 New Librarian Sally Godin

. . .takes over when Dottie Doten becomes HQ reference librarian.

June 1969

New Library Opens!

. . .new location 750 Lakeside Drive, SE., a two story complex. The library is housed on the upper level only.

. . .5,500 square feet of library space

. . .Circulation increased 43% the first month!

. . .more space, more services provided…including programs for children and adults.

. . .Mrs. Sally Godin, head librarian and Mrs. George Branston, assistant librarian

. . .New attractions include: copy machine, study carrels and an area for meetings .

. . .The library is now open 57 hours per week to meet increased demand.

September 21, 1969 East Grand Rapids New Municipal Complex Open House

. . .The collection is growing there are now 16,204 books on the shelves, compared to 13,141 in January.

. . .The lower portion of the library is unfinished, with sand for the floor. It was suggested by city manager Fred Tholen that teenagers use the place for dances, clubs or a teen center.

1973 Marian Branston Dies

. . .one of the original founders and supporters of the East Grand Rapids Library, Friends of the Library and also one of its first librarians

. . .A memorial fund was initiated upon her death to honor all that she has done for the library. This fund is used to purchase books on travel.

1981 Gail DeYoung becomes Library Manager

EGR Library Librarians, L - R Betty Garver, Eunice Vander Veen and Gail De Young, 2006

. . . Sally Godin relocates to Wyoming Library, Kent County Library System.

. . .Gail faces the task of a future library expansion to the lower level of the library.

November 5, 1984 Library Facility Expansion Proposed - Special Report Presented to City Commission

. . .a recommendation to expand the East Grand Rapids Library was presented by Gail DeYoung, Library Manager and members of the Library Commission.

. . .recommendations, comparisons of libraries and future needs were presented.

February 1985 City Commissioners Approve Library Expansion

. . .The expansion project was estimated at $330,000

. . .DeWinter and Associates architects were selected.

June -July 1986 Library Expansion Project Planning Gets Underway

. . .LSCA Title II Construction grants were applied for and awarded.

. . .Library use deems the need for expansion to the lower level.

. . .Circulation has increased 65% since 1980.

. . .EGR Library ranks third after Wyoming and Kentwood Libraries in circulation. These libraries have twice the size floor space as East.

. . .collection is growing, with no place to go!

July 9, 1986 Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library – Capital Campaign Gets Underway for Library Expansion

. . ..Friends pledge to raise $150,000.00.
Of that total, $90,000 will go towards furnishings, $30,000 for equipment and $30,000 for an endowment fund.

. . .Friends mount public campaign….telephone, media and distributed printed informational materials.

. . .Friends Committee includes Kyle Irwin, Mary Ford, Mary Kretschman, Connie Christenson, Debbie Weaver, Dave Chamberlain.

July 1986 Friends of the Library Endowment Fund Proposed

. . .initial investment of 30,000 from the capital fund drive is proposed

. . .it is proposed to “attract private gifts to support books, supplies and equipment for the library from the fund’s principal.” (Friend’s notes)

January- June 1987 Library Expansion

. . .The library staff faced tough, cold working conditions!

June 1987 Library Expansion Complete

June 20, 1991 – October 2, 1991 New District Library?

Kent County Board of Commissioner’s Special Library Study Committee vote to recommend that the Kent County Library System become a district library system. Approved by the Commission on October 2^nd.

March 9, 1992 District Library Proposed

Spring 1992 Gail Haebich Becomes Assistant Library Manager

. . .already a long time member of the team, Gail steps up to assume a new title.

August 25, 1992 Sally Godin, EGR Library Manager From 1968 – 1981, Dies

July 1, 1994 Kent County Library System Becomes Kent District Library System

. . .Michigan’s 96^th district library

November 8, 1994 District Library Millage

. . .East Grand Rapids Citizens along with other Kent County Communities vote in favor of the millage to support the district libraries!

November 1995 Gail Haebich, Assistant Library Manager, Retires

December 1995 Gail O. DeYoung Retires as East Grand Rapids Library Manager

. . .25 years of Kent District Library System service in various capacities, adult services librarian, youth librarian and coordinator of the system’s youth services.

. . .14 ½ years as EGR branch manager.

. . .Thanks Gail!

January 1996 Pamela VanderPloeg Becomes Library Manager

Jacque Miller, Assistant Manager

November 1998 Library Expansion Feasibility Study Presented to the EGR City Commission

1998 The Library Circulates 280,791 items!

December 1998 Jacque Miller, Assistant Manager, Retires

January 1999 First Drawings for Proposed Expansion Presented to the City Commission

February 1999 Dawn Lewis Becomes Assistant Branch Manager

. . .takes over for Jacque Miller, who retired in December 1998

February/March 1999 City Commission Accepts Library Expansion Feasibility Study

November 6, 1999 East Grand Rapids Library Celebrates Its 40^th Birthday

. . .community event held

. . .past librarians, Friends members, city officials invited

. . .special programs presented

January 12, 2000 Pamela VanderPloeg Steps Down as Manager of the Library

…Becomes an Assistant Director at KDL

...Congrats, Pamela!

February 23, 2000 Kent District Library Millage Increase Request Defeated at the Polls

…0.93 mills for 6 years had been requested

March 2000 EGR City Officials Approve a Feasibility Study to Finance a $9.25 Million Expansion of the Library and City Complex.

May 2000 EGR Library Learns That It Will House a New Computer Training Lab Valued at $38, 179.

…Kent District Library Receives a Grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

June 2000 Cathy Clair Becomes the New Manager of the EGR Library

…Cathy has been with the Library system since 1977 and most recently spent a six-year stint as the manager of the Krause Memorial Library in Rockford.

August 8, 2000 Voters Say YES! To Kent District Library Millage Renewal and Increase

…asking for 0.77 mills to continue current operations and 0.11 additional mills to expand hours, programs and resources

August 23, 2000 EGR City Commissioners Begin Discussing Bond Proposal Costs for Expansion of the City Complex

…estimated costs between $9 to $11 million

September 2000 Literature Published for EGR Residents Explaining the Proposed EGR Community Center

…explanation of the expansion of the Library, Recreation Department and City Hall.

September 19, 2000 Bonds for Expansion of City Complex and Renovation of Wealthy Pool Are Proposed

…voters will go to the polls in April 2001

October 19, 2000 Gate’s Computer Lab Established on the Lower Level of the EGR Library

…11 computers will be used for instruction and general use.

October 2000 TWO for You Committee Formed

…the goal of this group is to get the word out to citizens about the upcoming city complex expansion election in the spring.

November 2000 East Grand Rapids Foundation Established

…this non-profit group will handle donations dedicated to the Library, Recreation Department and City Hall expansion.

November 12, 2000 Open House for the New Gate’s Computer Lab in EGR Library

November 23, 2000

Opposition to Proposed Expansion of the City Complex Comes Forth at City Commission Meeting

…the “Gateway” group discusses its plans to bulldoze the existing complex and build a new one.

In 2000 the EGR Library Circulates 324,430 items!

February 20, 2001

The City Complex Renovation & Expansion Election is Moved to June 11, 2001

…extra time is given so that citizens may voice their opinion on the expansion.

February 2001

Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library Pledge $75,000 to the Library Expansion

March 29, 2001 Library and Community Center Campaign Established

…$70,000 is paid to fund-raising consultants to work with an EGR volunteer fundraising committee. The goal is to raise $3 million.

May 2001

$1,229,230 raised so far by the East Grand Rapids Fund- Raising Committee

May 10, 2001 Opposition roars.

…Local Resident Suggests the City Purchase the Boston SE church Property for the Parks and Recreation Department.

June 11, 2001 Library & City Complex Proposal Defeated

…1,382 in favor

…2,074 against

September 2001 Citizens Task Force Established

…44 citizens have joined forces to determine what type of facility would be best for the Library, Recreation Department and City Hall.

January 2002

Dawn Lewis, Assistant Manager, takes the Assistant Manager Position at the Wyoming Library

February 2002

Kelly McGee Becomes Assistant Manager at EGR Library.

March 2002

The Citizens Task Force Has Narrowed Plans for the Library and City Complex Renovation and Expansion Down to Three Options

$9.6 million 29,640 sq. foot library

$5.6 million 23,975 sq. foot library

$8.29 million 27,940 sq. foot library

March 2002 Citizens Task Force Focus Group Meetings

…Select people from the Citizens Task Force held private meetings without the majority of the Task Force present to independently decide that the Recreation Department should move off the current site.

A new place for the Parks and Recreation Department will have to be located.

May 6, 2002

Citizen’s Task Force Recommendations for Library, Recreation Department and City Hall Are Presented to the City Commission.

August 2002 Jacobson’s Closes

…developers interested

August 2002

East Grand Rapids History Room Receives $8,000 Grant

…Urban Cooperation Board grant allows for collection, preservation, storage and display of East Grand Rapids’ unique history.

September 2002 Jade Pig Ventures purchases Jacobson’s complex for $3.75 million

September 23, 2002

City Commissioners Determine Recreation Department Relocation Too Costly

October 6, 2002

Mr. Peter Wege Donates Steamship Major Watson Sign to the East Grand Rapids History Room

…sign valued at $2,000.

October 14, 2002

“Jade Pig Wants the Library at Jacobson’s”

(Cadence, October 16, 2002, p. 1)

…developer Brian Devries, in a surprise visit to the city commission meeting, declares that the library should move into the Jacobson’s building. No costs were given.

…City commissioners vote to give Jade Pig 60 days to come up with a proposal to move the library to the Jacobson’s site.

November 20, 2002

Jade Pig Presents Plans for Gaslight Village to EGR Citizens

December 2002

Various City Commissions Meet in Work session to Discuss Jade Pig Proposal

December 2002

Cathy Clair Steps Down As Manager of the EGR Library- Great job, Cathy!!

…Kelly McGee becomes interim Manager

January 2003

City Commission Has Closed-Sessions Negotiations With Jade Pig over Proposal and Price

February 2003

City Commissioners Discuss the Various Library & City Complex Scenarios, Including the Jacobson’s Site

March 2003

Recreation Department Determines that it should be placed in the Old Water Tank.

March 2003 Dawn Lewis Becomes the New Manager of the EGR Library

April 13, 2003

City Hires PR Firm To Help Explain Library Options to the Citizens

May 2003

Jade Pig Venture’s Proposal Would Cost Citizens $14.5 Million.

May 15, 2003

City Commission Public Work Session

…2 proposals presented:

1. $8.3 million to keep the Library and City Complex on lake

2. $14.5 million to move the Library to the Jacobson’s site

August 2003

City Commissioners have reduced the size of the proposed library to 22,000 sq. feet. The cost of the proposal on the lake would be $6.8 million dollars

August 2, 2003 City Commissioners Vote to Keep the Library on the Lake

…Jade Pig Ventures need to come down in price

August 25, 2003

City Commissioners Plan to Survey Residents to Determine the Plans for a 22,000 Square Foot Library

East Grand Rapids Community Concept Team Formed 12/2003 – 3/2004

Members of the EGR community are appointed by Mayor Cindy Bartman to be on the team to evaluate plans for the expansion and renovation of the East Grand Rapids library and city complex. Task was to determine what plans would best serve the community and why the last election failed. Met with Cox, Medendorp and Olson architects and representatives of the community to prepare a plan to take to the people.

Fall 2004

Michelle Boisvenue-Fox Becomes Assistant Manager

March 2004 – May 2004

Many city commission meetings were held to bring these plans for the East Grand Rapids City Center to the public.

East Grand Rapids Library and City Complex Millage Election Campaign, March – June 2004

This group developed marketing flyers, ran a postcard signing campaign to the registered voters of East Grand Rapids and held a phone calling campaign and did poll watching.

June 14, 2004 Ballot Proposals

“East Grand Rapids voters will face four tax questions on the June 14 ballot, one for public schools' recreation programs and three for expansion of the library and City Hall. If all were approved, voters would pay 2.21 mills in additional property tax -- about $221 a year for an owner of a house with a market value of $200,000.

City Proposal 1 would levy .64 mills for 30 years -- $64 a year for the owner of a $200,000 home. The proposal would create a complex that would combine the library with the now separately housed recreation department and city government. Nearly 35 percent of the total square footage in the new building would be devoted to shared space.

Proposals 2 and 3 for the community center would levy .095 mills and .076 mills respectively. Together, they would cost the owner of a $200,000 home $17 a year for 30 years. Proposal 2 would pay for shoreline boardwalks and docks as well as new streetlights and other adornments. Proposal 3 would pay for an additional 4,000 square feet of library space and a local history room.”

Source Citation: "East GR tax proposals; Only one of four millage requests deserves support.(Editorial)(Editorial)." The Grand Rapids Press (Grand Rapids, MI) (June 2, 2004): A10. Grand Rapids Press. Thomson Gale. Kent District Library. 11 Nov. 2006

June 14, 2004

Voters Support 4 Proposals Which Allows $9.5 Million Dollar Renovation and Expansion of the Library and City Hall.

...Thank you all so much!

Library Circulation Hits 367,217 in 2004!

January 15, 2005

Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library present a check to the City Commission for $100,000 for the new library.

May 2005

The new library and city complex began construction in Completion date is set for late 2006.

May 2005 Friends of the Library Begin Successful Campaign for Reeds Lake Fish Aquarium and Turtle Habitat

...Kids' $1.00 campaign

...Community campaign

...Corporate campaign

...Grant writing campaign

May 2005

Library Moves to a Temporary Location During Expansion and Renovation. Approximately 2,000 square feet of popular space!

644 Lovett, SE. East Grand Rapids.

August 12, 2006

Grand Re-opening of the East Grand Rapids Library:

Library expands from 10,500 to 27,700 square feet.