"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John Fitzgerald Kennedy

We are so very fortunate here at PCL to be a part of an active and caring community.  My head starts to spin when I try to make mental lists of everyone who helps to make Peninsula Community Library such a vibrant, dynamic place.  There is always the very real danger that I will unintentially leave someone out.

Our Old Mission Peninsula School family always comes first to mind when I think about gratitude.  They share their space, their equipment, their resources and their time.  We are always a part of everything they do.  Library needs the Music Room for a special program?  Sure - the custodians will help set up the chairs! Want to use the playground and amphitheater?  Go right ahead!

And speaking of the custodians - what about all the times they have met and greeted our patrons at the school door to carry books, boxes, bags, etc.?  We would not be the same place without them!

Then there are the students.  They shelve books for us when the cart is overflowing.  They dust, they organize, they cut out story hour materials.  They bring us treats on their birthdays and during classroom parties.  Sometimes, they just run in and out before and after recess to give us hugs.  We, of course, love them, too!

Our Reading Education Assistance Dog, Bear, is a part of our staff here at the library.  His mom, Paula Kelley, donates her time, both here at the library and to keep Bear's therapy certifications current so that he may continue to make both kids and adults smile.

The Trustees of our Board are a great and giving group of people.  Elected by the people of Peninsula Township to serve for four years, they govern and serve the library without reimbursement.  They do it willingly and with hearts full of appreciation for this small rural community we share a role in.

My staff - what  can I say?  They are my extended family.  I have shared their joys and their sorrows as I know they have shared mine.  They work hard at making PCL a place where people feel warmly welcomed.  AND, they do it because they hold the community they live in strongly in their hearts!

Then, of course, there are the numerous people in the community both here on Old Mission and out in the larger community who give of their time and resources to provide programming, materials and time.  I am especially grateful to these special volunteers who show up like clockwork to perform a myriad of odd jobs around the library - Pat Lizenby, Nancy Davy, Jay Wedeven, Fred Zwemer. Then there are our Master Gardeners who keep the library garden looking so beautiful - Terry Harding, Meredith Smith, Rick George and Julia Barresi as well as the Old Mission Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Then,  of course there are the Friends of PCL.  They hold fundraisers, social gatherings, etc. to help fund equipment purchases, programming and materials over and above our budgeted items.  They are the sole sponsors of our Summer Reading Clubs for children and teens.  This year, they will also help fund an adult club.

Are there people I have left out?  Of course.  There is the Traverse Area District Library - for funding and especially the technology that allows us to provide high speed public access.  There is our Township government  which acts as our fiscal agent and is always supportive of everything we do. 

Last but never least, there are our patrons.  We have the kindest, friendliest patrons in the whole world.  In such a small community, they are our family, our neighbors, our friends.  For all of them, we are especially grateful!  We can only hope that we give them as much as they give to us!

 The Peninsula Community Library Board and Staff wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings!