Peter White Public Library

The [http://www.pwpl.info “Peter White Public Library”] (PWPL) is a public library and community center in the City of [http://www.mqtcty.org Marquette, Michigan] . The library building has stood at 217 North Front Street since 1904. An extensive renovation and addition was completed in 2000. The building also houses the Marquette Arts and Cultural Center, and the Tu Kaluthia Café. The library is named after Peter White, a local businessman and philanthropist who lived from 1830 – 1908. [http://www.michiganhistorymagazine.com/extra/up/pdfs/white.pdf]

In fiscal year 2006-07 the PWPL contained over 215,000 items – including books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, art prints, and other formats. During that same year, the PWPL welcomed an average of 917 visitors per day. The library is operated by the City of Marquette. Nine townships in Marquette County also contract library services with the PWPL, bringing the total population served to over 35,000. The PWPL serves persons who live or own property in the following communities:

* [http://www.mqtcty.org City of Marquette]
* [http://www.chocolay.org Chocolay Township]
* [http://www.mqtinfo.org/government0007.asp Ewing Township]
* [http://www.marquettetownship.org Marquette Township]
* [http://www.mqtinfo.org/government0014.asp Powell Township]
* [http://www.mqtinfo.org/government0017.asp Sands Township]
* [http://www.mqtinfo.org/government0018.asp Skandia Township]
* [http://www.mqtinfo.org/government0020.asp Turin Township]
* [http://www.mqtinfo.org/government0021.asp Wells Township]
* [http://www.mqtinfo.org/government556793.asp West Branch Township]

The PWPL participates in the MichCard statewide borrowing program. [ [http://envoy.libraryofmichigan.org/isapi/4disapi.dll/Directory/Results.html?Category=Michicard&Name=&Director=&City=&County=&Cooperative=&Class=&cb_qsac=nosel directory search results ] ]

Internet Services

Wireless internet access is available on the first and second floors of the library. This service is provided free to any wireless user. [http://www.nmu.edu Northern Michigan University] (NMU) also has equipment on-site at PWPL to allow student access to the university’s wireless network. [ [http://newsbureau.nmu.edu/campus/2004/0128/pwpl.htm pwpl ] ]

Wired Ethernet jacks are available to persons who have laptop computers without wireless access. Electrical outlets are located at most study carrels.

The PWPL has approximately 40 computer stations for patron use, including two “15 minute express stations” that do not require a login.

Numerous online databases are available at the PWPL.

Other Services

* United States Passport Agency
* Meeting rooms for public use
* Faxing
* Document scanning
* Printing / copying (B&W and color)
* Extensive genealogy and local history collections
* Programs and exhibits

Library Board

The PWPL has two library boards, a controlling board and an advisory board. The controlling board is the Peter White Public Library Board of Trustees. Board members are appointed by the Marquette City Commission. The advisory board is made up of members appointed by the townships contracting services with the library.

History

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 an Act of Michigan Legislature in 1891. [ [http://www.uproc.lib.mi.us/pwpl/history.htm Peter White Public Library / History ] ]

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. This $9.0 million project was funded by a $4.5 million bond issue and $4.5 million capital campaign. The current facility is 63,000 square feet.

In 2007 the PWPL received a Library of Michigan Foundation Citation of Excellence from State Librarian Nancy Robertson. [ [http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17445_19270_19410-179879--,00.html MHAL - Rawson Memorial District Library in Cass City Wins 2007 State Librarian's Excellence Award for Exceptional, Innovative Service; Bayliss Public Library in Sault Sainte Marie and Peter White Public Library in Marquette Earn Citations of Excellen... ] ] The award recognized the library for providing excellent service and meeting the needs of the community in a friendly, cost-effective, and innovative way. The library has also been cited in [http://hunts-upguide.com/ Hunt’s Guide to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula] as a Marquette point of interest. [ [http://hunts-upguide.com/marquette_peter_white_library.html Peter White Library - Michigan's Upper Peninsula ] ]

Contact Information

Visit [http://www.pwpl.info www.pwpl.info] for library hours, holdings, and other information.

Peter White Public Library
217 North Front Street
Marquette, Michigan 49855

Voice: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Reference requests: [mailto:[e-mail] [e-mail]]
General e-mail: [mailto:[e-mail] [e-mail]]

Affiliations and Memberships

* [http://www.downtownmarquette.org Downtown Marquette Association]
* [http://www.marquette.org Lake Superior Community Partnership]
* [http://elibrary.mel.org/search MelCat statewide borrowing program]
* [http://michigan.gov/michicard Michicard statewide library card program]
* [http://www.mla.lib.mi.us Michigan Library Association]
* [http://www.mlcnet.org Michigan Library Consortium]
* [http://rpa.uproc.lib.mi.us/slc.htm Superiorland Library Cooperative]
* [http://www.uproc.lib.mi.us Upper Peninsula Region of Cooperation]

Notes and references

External links

[http://www.pwpl.info Peter White Public Library]
[http://www.mqtcty.org/board_library.html Peter White Public Library Board]
[http://www.mqtcty.org City of Marquette, Michigan]