PATHFINDER COMMUNITY LIBRARY

National Library Week

National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians and library staff play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. Libraries provide a public space where all community members, regardless of age, culture or income level, can come together to connect and learn. This is especially true in Lake County where Chase, Luther and Pathfinder (Baldwin) libraries are unique and serve their communities in more rural areas. According to Melinda Gates, Libraries connect communities. Patrons come to the library for information while expanding their minds.

The Pathfinder Community Library opened in November 1953 by a group of volunteers, mostly from the Baldwin Women’s Club. In April 1955, citizens in Pleasant Plains Township approved a three-tenths mill tax levy on township property by a three to one margin. Citizens later voted for a millage increase of 1 mil to provide the library with funds in perpetuity.

In November of 1969, the Library Board, by good planning and saving, was able to buy the Byrne building at 812 Michigan Avenue, thanks in large part to a generous donation of $14,000 from the Charles Dobry Post 133 of the American Legion. The 2,250 square foot building was built, remodeled and furnished without one cent of tax money. Total cost: $33,000. The Baldwin Women’s Club contributed $1,000 to buy the kitchen unit in the new library’s meeting room. 

Moving on to current accomplishments, 2018 was a busy year for Pathfinder Community Library. Some of the highlights include:

• Citizens renewed the millage for the 3 libraries of Lake County

• A new roof 

• Construction began on New Garden area

• 8 “Wednesday Nights with the Ranger” fun and informational programs

• Easter Party for children

• Build a Bird House craft day

• 5 story hours for children

• Reading contest in summer (with prizes) for all ages

• Children’s programs: The Storytellers from Detroit and Wendy & DB Music and dance group

• Halloween Party with Baldwin Lions Club

• Christmas Party with Santa Claus

• Food drive for Lake County Bread of Life

• Program with Hospice of Western Life

• 3 outdoor Book & Bake Sales

2019 will be a busy year also. Goals include

• Complete the “Backyard Garden” project to be enjoyed by all (Lake County Community Foundation has provided $5,000 and Charles Dobry Post 133 donated $3,000 for the garden project)

• 6 Tuesday Nights with a Ranger

• Partnership with the Lake County Historical Society to digitize allLake County Star newspapers from 1911 to present. 

The cost for the Digitization of the Lake County Star project is estimated to be $40,000-$50,000 with a grant from the Lake County Community Foundation providing $5,000 and 3 private donors giving $4,040.  Clark Historical Library will digitize  the issues and Central Michigan University will host them on their web site forever (with a link from the Pathfinder web page). This project will enable anyone in Lake County and the worldto read the archived issues. Anyone utilizing the web to research historical events or to keep informed on local and hometown news will find this extremely useful. 

The Pathfinder Community Library has been the caretaker of these newspapers for many years. We would like to see this information made available electronically for this generation and many more to come. Your family and its future members could benefit from this archive of historical data.

In order to complete the project, Pathfinder Community Library and the Lake County Historical Society will need to raise over $20,000. 

Want to donate to this worthwhile project? Donations by check or money order can be sent to Pathfinder Community Library, 812 Michigan Ave, Baldwin, MI 49301 (Be sure to indicate “Star Archive Project” on your check or envelope).