| Peter White Public Library | |
| Founded: | 1891 |
| Location: | 217 N. Front St. Marquette, Michigan 49855 |
| Key People: | Andrea Ingmire (director) |
The Peter White Public Library is a public library and community center in the City of Marquette, Michigan. The library building has stood at 217 North Front Street since 1904. An extensive renovation and addition was completed in 2000, and another renovation completed in 2018. The building also houses the Marquette Arts and Culture Center. The library is named after Peter White, a local businessman, postmaster, real estate developer, Michigan state legislator, and philanthropist who lived from 1830 until 1908.[1]
During Fiscal Year 2022-2023 the library contained approximately 172,000 physical items—including books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, art prints, and other formats, plus access to a shared collection of e-books and downloadable audio books. During that same year, the library welcomed an average of 511 visitors per day and circulated a total of 258,598 items. The library is owned by the citizens of the City of Marquette. Eight townships in Marquette County also contract service with the library, bringing the total population served to nearly 36,000. The library serves persons who live or own property in the following communities: City of Marquette, Chocolay Township, Ewing Township, Marquette Township, Sands Township, Skandia Township, Turin Township, Wells Township, and West Branch Township. The library maintains remote book drops for the return of materials at the township halls in Chocolay, Sands, Skandia, and West Branch Townships. An additional drop in Marquette Township is located at the Westwood Mall, outside the southwest entrance of the building.
The library has two library boards, a controlling board and an advisory board. The controlling board is the Peter White Public Library Board of Trustees.[6] Board members are appointed by the Marquette City Commission. The Township Advisory Council is composed of members appointed by the townships contracting services with the library. Each township has two members.[7]
Public library service in Marquette, Michigan, began in 1871 when the library was located in City Hall. The Peter White Public Library was formally founded by Local Act 254 of 1891 by the Michigan Legislature.[8]
The historic building at the corner of Front and Ridge Streets was completed in 1904. The building was designed by Patton and Miller Architects of Chicago, Illinois. A renovation and expansion project designed by Frye Gillan Molinaro Architects, also of Chicago, was completed in October 2000. Gundlach Champion was the contractor. This $9.0 million project was funded by a $4.5 million city bond issue and $4.5 million capital campaign. The current facility is 63000square feet. The original building and subsequent renovations have been made possible not only through the generosity of the library namesake, but many other benefactors, and the taxpayers who support the Library.
In 2007 the library received a Library of Michigan Foundation Citation of Excellence from State Librarian Nancy Robertson.[9] The award recognized the library for providing excellent service and meeting the needs of the community in a friendly, cost-effective, and innovative way.
In December 2010 the library received a National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).[10] The Medal is awarded to ten libraries or museums in the United States each year.
During 2018-2019 the library carried out a $4.2 million renovation project, funded by a bond approved by the citizens of the City of Marquette in August 2017. The project architects and engineers were Integrated Designs of Marquette, Michigan, and the general contractor was Closner Construction of Marquette, Michigan. Work included repair to the facade of the 1904 building, renovation of the entire lower level for expanded youth services program space, providing additional private study space, replacing flooring, and updating the technology infrastructure.[11]