Pickford Community Library renovates new location

Renovations have begun at the new building for the Pickford Community Library, a branch of Superior District Library. In 2020, the Superior District Library (SDL) purchased what is now the previous home of NAPA Auto Parts for the Pickford Community Library to move into from its current rented quarters.  

Volunteers have been hard at work in the new building. They have taken down an interior wall to create a more open space and put wooden frames in for a new workroom, meeting room, and storage room. The new meeting room will be a space the community can use for small meetings, book clubs, individual and group study, in-person and/or online meetings, and more. The current garage space will become a community room to hold all sorts of events, from author talks to summer reading programs. It will also be available to the community to be rented out for family or community events.  

In the spring of 2023, we will begin work on a garden in Ann Marie Smith’s honor. She ran beneficial and diverse programs, and led Pickford Community Library to be the number one library in the Scholastic Summer Reading challenge in the United States more than once.  

The new building will continue to be a space for learning and access to educational and community resources. The average Superior District Library Taxpayer pays $80/year in taxes to the library. For every $1 paid per person, the Return on Investment is approximately $5.14 for the materials, services, and programs offered—over 500%. The Pickford Community Library is currently working on fundraising $150,000 for the renovations, and is also planning many ways for the community to get involved with the project. The majority of the supplies for the new building are being purchased locally, and the library is using local companies whenever possible to get the renovations done.  

If you would like to be a part of this community investment, please donate to the building fund by visiting pickfordlibrary.org to give online, or give by cash or check at the Pickford Community Library. Checks can be made out to the Pickford Community Library and must be designated towards the building fund. They can be mailed to the Pickford Community Library at PO Box 277, Pickford, MI 49774. We will recognize donors by installing a permanent piece of artwork in the library displaying all donor names. Options to donate in honor of someone are also available. If you have any questions or would like to be notified of volunteer opportunities, please email Emily Hyde at ehyde@superiordistrictlibrary.org.