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Library director outlines summer programs, meals and new 'Library of Things'
Summary
Big Rapids Community Library director Lauren Perkins reported on last summer's attendance and registration figures, the summer meals program (931 lunches through Feeding America West Michigan), digital access to the Pioneer newspaper, and upcoming family and outreach programming, including a pool‑party prize and outdoor activities.
Lauren Perkins, director of the Big Rapids Community Library, presented a comprehensive update on summer programming and community services, including attendance and outreach numbers from last year and a schedule of planned events for the coming season.
Perkins said the library hosted 23 summer programs with 545 attendees and that 306 people registered for the summer-reading program last year. The library served 931 free lunches through a partnership with Feeding America West Michigan and plans to run summer meals Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for people 18 and under and adults with disabilities up to age 26.
Perkins described the library’s summer-reading theme, "Unearth a Story," with reading goals set by minutes for different age groups, a pool-party prize for those who meet their July reading goals (planned for Aug. 8), and digital tools such as the Beanstack app for logging reading time. She also outlined the library’s "Library of Things" lending program (ukuleles, board games, pickleball sets, metal detectors, pressure canners and other items) and announced new backpack explorer kits funded through a grant to support Bird City Big Rapids.
The library has added digital access to the Pioneer newspaper (2007 to present) through an online portal accessible with a library card, expanded sensory and outdoor story times, family art and craft workshops, and a planned archaeology-themed activity in partnership with the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology at the University of Michigan. Perkins also described pollinator-pathway planting efforts and a community garden program that will donate surplus produce to summer-meal participants and a local food pantry.
Commissioners and audience members asked clarifying questions about the Pioneer access and the availability of items in the Library of Things; Perkins said the Pioneer access is available to any Big Rapids cardholder and confirmed the library’s collections and program registration are listed on the library website.
The commission thanked Perkins for the update and attendees acknowledged the range of upcoming activities.
