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Many of you have asked about the walking trail going in at the library. I am pleased to let you know that it is now complete.
Named in honor of former PCL Board member Lori Brickman, it is a universal access trail. What does that mean? A universally accessible trail is designed to be usable by people of all abilities, including those with disabilities. These trails prioritize accessibility by minimizing barriers like steep slopes, loose surfaces and obstacles, ensuring everyone can enjoy nature and outdoor recreation.
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Lori was a member of the PCL Board from 2017 until her passing in 2024. An active trustee, she served on our building committee for the new library and many related committees. Lori especially loved the land the library sits on. She was at heart an environmentalist, a conservationist and a nature lover. Lori appreciated that the library feeds the mind and that the land feeds the soul. What better experience could one ask for than to have the two melded together for all to enjoy and enrich themselves!
Many thanks to Steve Lagerquist of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy for guidance, Ben Herman’s NMC middle school students who built and donated the benches, Riley Ramoie of Modal who constructed the trail and gave much needed advice, and all who made donations to make it happen.
You can help us out by walking the trail — which is about a quarter of a mile — to help pack the gravel down. The more you walk, the better it gets! Please note that bikes are not allowed on the trail. Dogs must be on no longer than a 6-foot leash, and YOU MUST CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR PET AND TAKE AWAY ANY DROPPINGS! The trail signs will be used for interchangeable displays. We hope you enjoy!
As you are hiking up and down and around, be sure to stop in and check out programming this summer!
Color Our World. Summer Reading Club at PCL is hands on and in person! Register beginning June 12. Kick off is 6/24 @ 11 a.m. with a showing of The Wizard of Oz – snacks provided. 7/1 – A Rainbow of Music with Miriam Pico. 7/8 – A Rainbow of Food with author Lisa Maxbauer Price. 7/15 – A Rainbow of Art with Vicki Shurly. 7/22 – A Rainbow of Critters with Dawn Farley. 7/29 – A Rainbow of Magic with Joel Tacey and our finale picnic. All kids’ programs at 11 a.m. Christmas in July with a puzzle competition happens for teens and pre-teens 7/30, 5-7 p.m. Earn a free Buchan’s ice cream cone and surprise gift when you complete your adventure! SRC is for kids, teens AND grownups!
Sound of Music. The Friends of PCL kick off our concert season 6/20 @ 6 p.m. (Summer Solstice!) with free ice cream and the music of Manistee’s Nick Veine – think Johnny Cash meets James Taylor! Doc Probes and the Riptides are All About Jimmy Buffet 7/24 @ 7 p.m. 8/18 @ 7 p.m. features Michigan Emmy recipient Kitty Donohoe who draws from both her Irish and American roots. A special Kid’s Concert with OMP’s very own Mary Sue Wilkinson is scheduled for 8/27 @ 11 a.m. Pack a picnic and chairs or a blanket. Rain venue is the Community Room, no picnic!
“Where words fail, music speaks.” — Hans Christian Anderson
The Gift of Life. PCL partners with VERSITI for a blood drive 6/25 and 8/27 from noon-5. Blood collected stays in Michigan. Register here.
Michigan Movie Mania. Our series of movies set in the Great Lakes State ends for the summer with a showing of Gran Torino (R), 6/26 at 6:30 pm. This program will start up again in the fall!
Light the Night. Stop by the library 6/30 for a quick DIY pressed flower votive holder project. All materials provided. 5-7 p.m. RSVP.
Quilts for Kids. Join Kellie Chase to transform fabrics into patchwork quilts for kids facing serious trauma. Quilts for Kids is a non-profit organization. Materials provided. RSVP to join us, 7/8, 10-noon.
BFFs! The Used Book Sale is August 7-13. August 7 kick-off day is just for Friends members, but you can join that day if you can’t wait! Book donations are accepted at the Carriage House on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month from 4-6 p.m. The last day to donate this year is 7/21. In the meantime, pick up books at the Beach Reads mini sale in the foyer during the month of June. Friends’ general meeting is 7/16 @ 1:30 pm.
The Regulars. Peninsula Insights – speakers of interest @ 7 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of the month; this month, Lighthouse Manager Ginger Schultz and Brit Eaton will be talking about what’s happening at the Lighthouse! Story Stew for preschoolers – the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays @ 11 – not held in July.
Reading Dogs Lani & Rosie – Tuesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. Threads – Mondays 10-noon – bring a project, work among friends! Gentle Yoga with Tina Livingston – Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. for a small fee.
Pageturners Book Club – the 3rd Thursday @ 6:30 p.m. Books available on a first come basis. (The book for June is “How To Read a Book” by Monica Wood. -jb) Wing Watchers Birding Group – April-September on the 2nd Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Practice Spanish – Spanish Meetup, on the 3rd Saturday @ 10:30 a.m. Takeout craft bags available for kids the 1st full week of the month. Adult craft bags seasonally. While supplies last!
New for little ones on the 1st Mondays of the month for a small fee, we offer Fox’s Fiesta, My Person & Me Movement Class with Stirling Saur, a pediatric speech-language pathologist and certified yoga instructor! Also new – kids ages 7-10 meet up to talk about and trade cards at our Pokémon Club on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 12:30-1:30. No need to RSVP. Thanks to parent Audra Tompkins for facilitating!
At Your Service. PCL offers a Library of Things, a Seed Library, books, movies, puzzles, games, Explorer Bags, STEM kits, large print books, a Children’s Garden with a play village and more. Little Free Libraries have books for the taking. Stay Sharp Kits are available for adult patrons in memory care. Printing, faxing, copying and laptops available onsite. Wireless service accessible in the parking lot 24/7. Limited notary service available by appointment. New to PCL are Launchpads and WhaZoodles, self-contained digital units for kids filled with entertaining educational software. Launchpads are audio-visual. WhaZoodles are audio only. We have also added LEGO kits for adults!
A request from the Head Library Mom: Please help your children clean up after themselves when using the play areas in the library or the Children’s Garden! Helping out is a lifelong skill!
Make PCL and all we offer a part of your summer! We are the heart of your community!
Here Comes the Sun (George Harrison)
Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it’s feel like years since it’s been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it’s all right
Happy Summer!
Vicki Shurly, Director
Peninsula Community Library
2893 Island View Road
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 223-7700; [email protected]
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