Happy New Year!
The staff and board of the Peter White Public Library wish you the very best in 2020.

In this newsletter: Art Exhibits 2020, Library Funding, Diana Menhennick Retirement Reception, Coffee, IndentoGO, and Cloverland Magazine Digitization!

What's coming up in 2020?
As we look forward to 2020 our focus will be on evaluating library services and programming.

2020 is another big election year for PWPL. We do not know if we will appear on the August or November ballot, but we anticipate being on the ballot in: Chocolay, Marquette, Sands, Skandia and West Branch in 2020. We look forward to continued library services in our townships going forward.

Thanks for another great year.
Andrea Ingmire
Library Director
906-226-4303
2020 Art Exhibits
The trees are coming down to make way for art in February! We have a great lineup of local artists to enjoy this year.

A Call for Art 2021 will be released in March of 2020. Artists interested in exhibiting at the Library will need to submit an application to be considered.
Library Funding
As you know, our focus for many years has been on funding stabilization. I am so pleased to say that our operating budget is officially in the black. Thanks to the continued support of our community, we've been able to hold our own through all the turnover in We Energies, Duke Lifepoint and other "Dark Store" issues that have continued to impact local entity funding. Approval of Headlee Override ballot proposals in the City of Marquette, Chocolay Township and Sands Township were vital to stabilize the budget. We are very thankful for the continued support of our community.

Additionally, library has been working to build a healthy fund balance for several years. We now maintain a fund balance that is on par with public entity audit recommendations. This fund balance is our emergency fund. We cannot use the fund balance for ongoing costs, but should there be an emergency we have three months of operating budget as backup funding.

The library has also had several very successful fund raising efforts. The balance of our endowment funds is currently $356,800 (as of 12/31/2019). These funds are split into two endowments: the General Endowment and the Allyn Roberts Endowment, more information about our endowment funds below.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the remarkable funding that the Friends of the Library have generated to benefit PWPL. Between their bookstore and annual book sales their total revenue in 2019 was $31,568.05. These funds are distributed to the library in the form of 'grants' for library collections, programs and services.

PWPL Development Fund - Endowment Funds
General Endowment Fund
The General Endowment Fund was started in 2015 with a $30,000 donation representing lost tax revenue from UP Health System. The December 2019 balance of the General Endowment is now $301,900. The General Endowment fund can be used to support any funding need the library has. We are hoping to build this fund to the point where we are able to take a significant annual distribution supporting library service hours, services and programs.

Allyn Roberts Endowment Fund
The Allyn Roberts Endowment Fund has a balance of $54,900. The mission of this fund is to connect youth to the library through programs and collections. For several years Dr. Roberts has contributed funding to support the library's annual Summer Reading program. The Endowment Fund is creating a sustainable long-term funding mechanism for this important program.

Donors are encouraged to consider a donation to one of our Endowment Funds as a way to bring long-term sustainability to the Peter White Public Library.

Retirement Reception - Diana Menhennick
Reference Librarian Diana Menhennick is retiring. Her last day is January 31st.

Please join us on January 31st from 1:00 - 3:00 pm to celebrate Diana's 33 years at PWPL and wish her a happy retirement.

Stephanie Garn has been promoted to fill Diana Menhennick's Reference Librarian position. Stephanie will start full-time hours on January 20th.

Coffee and Libraries
We think really good coffee is important. The trial partnership between Peter White Public library and Marquette area roasters was so popular, we want to make it a permanent relationship. In order to keep the program sustainable for our local, organic, fair-trade coffee roasters, we’ve had to increase the price per cup to $1.50, starting February 1, 2020.

When PWPL started selling locally roasted coffee in September 2019, roasters were generous in selling us the beans “at cost.” We want to keep our community strong by supporting local business. $1.50 for a delicious cup of hot coffee that was roasted in your town – we think that’s pretty neat. We hope you do too.
Thanks for supporting the library.

IdentoGO - Identity Verification Services
Nearly a year ago, we were approached by Idemia about becoming an IdentoGo partner location. Idemia holds Federal and State contracts for identity verification services.

Previously this service was offered one day a week out of the Masonic Building. In an effort to expand service hours, Idemia was interested in finding a partner location who could offer the service three days a week. The Marquette County Courthouse was approached first, but was unable to meet the space requirements of Idemia and suggested that they reach out to PWPL.

The library staff and board discussed this issue for several months and after much debate decided to give this partner relationship a try.

The library is receiving a monthly stipend to provide this service and the service will be performed by library staff. However, customer service questions will all be directed to Idemia. We have committed to a trial period with this program, and will be evaluating this relationship over time to make sure it does not conflict with the library's overall mission.

So, what is it?? IdentoGO provides background and fingerprinting services for Federal and State contract including: TSA pre-check, TWIC cards, teacher licensing, foster care background checks and other state licensing requirements.

IdentoGo services are currently located on the top floor of the library in the North Balcony (previously the Friends of the Library bookstore location).
Appointment Schedule 10:00am - 1pm; 2:00pm - 5:00pm.
  • Tuesday (State services)
  • Wednesday (Federal services)
  • Thursday (State services)

If you are interested in learning more about IdentoGO services or wish to schedule an appointment, visit this website: https://www.identogo.com/


Cloverland Magazine
Thanks to the contribution of generous donors we have digitized the PWPL collection of the Cloverland Magazine. This digitized collection is currently being cataloged (metadata records are being created) by NMU Library and Archives staff. These materials will be available for use online in the upcoming year.

As we look to the future, additional digitization projects are in the works. It is a fairly complicated and costly undertaking. We are very grateful for donors who are interested in helping us fund these important projects.


Contact Andrea Ingmire with any questions or comments! aing@uproc.lib.mi.us 906-226-4303
The Mission of the Peter White Public Library is to enrich the community through access to library services and cultural opportunities.