peninsula community library, books at the boathouse, boathouse restaurant, old mission peninsula, traverse city
"Books at the Boathouse" PCL fundraiser on March 14, 2017 featured a "Ceilidh" (traditional Irish social gathering) | Jane Boursaw Photo
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Representatives from Peninsula Community Library (PCL) unveiled the architectural plans for the new library last night at their “Books at the Boathouse” fundraiser, which took place at the Boathouse Restaurant on the Old Mission Peninsula.

The library has long owned 5.25 acres on the northwest corner of Center Road and Island View Road, and announced last year their plans to build a new library there. They kicked off their fundraising campaign at a community team-building meeting in February, and with last night’s dinner and silent auction kick-off, the “Building the Heart of the Community” campaign is officially in full swing.

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After an exquisite Irish dinner accompanied by Old Mission Peninsula wine and Irish music played by Hillar Bergman and Jane Arney (the daughter of early PCL librarian Marge Arney), the architectural plans for the new library were unveiled by PCL Director Vicki Shurly, PCL Board President Heatherlyn Johnson Reamer, and architects Mark Humitz and Ben Loznak of Cornwell Architects. Take a look at the plans…

peninsula community library, books at the boathouse, boathouse restaurant, old mission peninsula, traverse city
Cornwell Architects’ Architectural Rendering of new Peninsula Community Library | Jane Boursaw Photo
peninsula community library, books at the boathouse, boathouse restaurant, old mission peninsula, traverse city
Cornwell Architects’ Architectural Rendering of new Peninsula Community Library | Jane Boursaw Photo
peninsula community library, books at the boathouse, boathouse restaurant, old mission peninsula, traverse city
Cornwell Architects’ Architectural Rendering of new Peninsula Community Library | Jane Boursaw Photo

The new farmhouse style library will include a large community room for library programming and public use, a local history room, group rooms (including one for teens), a carriage house style “garage” for book sales and other programming, front porch, screened back porch and lots more.

The professional fundraising firm of Zrimec & Wick is leading the campaign to raise $2 million in capital funds. The goal is to raise the money by August 31, 2018, break ground as soon as possible after that date, and open to the public in the spring of 2019.

The silent auction items introduced at the “Books at the Boathouse” fundraiser are now on display at the library for viewing and bidding through March 21. Items include an original seat from Wrigley Stadium, gift certificates, artwork, signed children’s books by Old Mission author Brianne Farley, a basket of “Old Mission products” (including from Old Mission Gazette!), Waffles with Tim Carroll, and lots more.

peninsula community library, books at the boathouse, boathouse restaurant, old mission peninsula, traverse city
Silent Auction item at the “Books at the Boathouse” PCL fundraiser March 14, 2017 | Jane Boursaw Photo
peninsula community library, books at the boathouse, boathouse restaurant, old mission peninsula, traverse city
Silent Auction item at the “Books at the Boathouse” PCL fundraiser March 14, 2017 | Jane Boursaw Photo

A Mocktail “Great Gatsby” Party to announce the winners will be held at the library at 7 p.m. on March 21. Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be served, and everyone is welcome to don their finest Gatsby frocks.

Contributions to PCL’s Building Fund may be made payable to Peninsula Community Library / Building Fund. Donations may be made in person at the library or mailed to Peninsula Community Library, 2699 Island View Road, Traverse City, MI 49686. Stay tuned for an online payment option, coming soon.

For more info, visit Peninsula Community Library’s website or call (231) 223-7700.

More photos from the “Books at the Boathouse” fundraiser…

peninsula community library, books at the boathouse, boathouse restaurant, old mission peninsula, traverse city
Heatherlyn Johnson Reamer (PCL Board President), Doug Kosch (Owner of The Boathouse and PCL Board Member) and Vicki Shurly (PCL Director) at the “Books at the Boathouse” PCL fundraiser March 14, 2017 | Jane Boursaw Photo
peninsula community library, books at the boathouse, boathouse restaurant, old mission peninsula, traverse city
Hillar Bergman (fiddle) and Jane Arney (concertina) at the “Books at the Boathouse” PCL fundraiser March 14, 2017 | Jane Boursaw Photo
peninsula community library, books at the boathouse, boathouse restaurant, old mission peninsula, traverse city
Nancy Davy (Friends of PCL), Erin Kosch, Gloria Butler and Leith Butler at the “Books at the Boathouse” PCL fundraiser March 14, 2017 | Jane Boursaw Photo
peninsula community library, books at the boathouse, boathouse restaurant, old mission peninsula, traverse city
Heatherlyn Johnson Reamer (PCL Board President), Monnie Peters (Peninsula Township Planning Commissioner) and Dean Johnson (Old Mission Peninsula farmer) at the “Books at the Boathouse” PCL fundraiser March 14, 2017 | Jane Boursaw Photo

SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper.

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5 COMMENTS

    • I believe that’s the plan. At their community meeting on March 6, the OMP Education Foundation said they plan on having their own library space in the school. At this writing, they’re discussing all the options, including creating a charter school in the building.

  1. […] The current PCL Board of Trustees has engaged Cornwell Architects of Traverse City to design a building that fits beautifully into the rural landscape of Old Mission Peninsula. At the “Books at the Boathouse” fundraising event on March 14, they unveiled the architectural plans for the new library, and it’s everything I know Mom would love. See photos of the new plans here. […]

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