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UPCOMING PROGRAMS



SUMMER READING PROGRAM BEGINS JUNE 11TH!
Color Our World this summer at the library! Join our team of artists by joining the summer reading program. Children, teens and adults can sign-up and start reading to win fabulous prizes from our amazing local sponosors: Friends of BSDL, Bella's Cafe, Betsie Hosick Health & Fitness Center, Blarney Castle, The Bookstore, The Cabbage Shed, The Cool Spot, Cold Creek Farm & Market, Corner Toy Store, Crescent Bakery, Crystal Downs Women's Auxiliary, Frankfort A&W, Frankfort Hardware, The Garden Theater, Kilwins of Frankfort, L'Chaim Delicatessen, Oliver Art Center, Perks of Frankfort, Stormcloud Brewing Co.

 

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
 

FAMILY STORYTIME
Mondays @ 10:30 June 16th - August 11th
Join us for stories, music, movement activities and more to celebrate reading, books and the community. Weather permitting, storytime will be held in the lawnnext to the library. *Note, On 7/14 and 8/11 storytime will be off site.
 

DESTINATION STORYTIME
JOIN US FOR STORYTIME AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS!
Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm - Monday, July 14 @ 10:30 a.m.
Frankfort Farmer's Market - Saturday, July 19th @ 10:30 a.m.
Frankfort Farmers market - Saturday, August 2nd @ 10:30 a.m.
Michigan Legacy Art Park - Saturday, August 9th @ 10:00 a.m.
The Drake School - Monday, August 11th @ 10:30 a.m.


FAMILY FUN: TUESDAYS @ 2
Tuesdays @ 2:00 p.m. June 17th - August 12th
Tuesdays at 2, there is always something to do!
June 17th: Rock Painting
June 24th: Fiber Arts Explorers
July 1st: Open Build Day
July 8th: Camp BSDL
July 15th: Art Class with the Oliver Art Center
July 22nd: Collaborative Art Day
July 29th: Messy Art Day
August 5th: Sunset Landscape Quilt
August 12th: Open Build Day


BEGINNING CROCHET
Thursdays @ 10:30 a.m. July 10th - August 14th
Join this beginner crochet class to learn the basic stitches, grips and knots you need to make all sorts of projects. 

FUN FRIDAY!
Friday @ 10:30 a.m. June 27th - August 15th
Get ready to move, groove and have a whole lot of fun in Mineral Springs Park. Story and craft to follow. Weather permitting. (No Fun Friday on July 4th).

LIBRARY FIELD DAY!
Friday June 20th @ 10:30 a.m.
Help us kick off the Summer Reading Program with Library Field Day! Join us on the lawn next tot he library for yard games, activities, prizes and more. Bring the whole family to participate together.

KORNER GEM FOR KIDS
Wednesday, July 9th @ 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Bring in your rocks for identification in the morning and learn to cut and polish rocks in the afternoon.
 

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ADULT PROGRAMS


MONDAY MAH JONG
Mondays @ 1:30 p.m.
Accomplished players and interested participants alike are invited to rattle the tiles and join the fun each Monday from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Library Program Room.

BOOK SHARE
Wednesday, June 18th @ 10:30 a.m.
Join us to talk books! Share what you have read recently and find out what fellow community members have been reading. This is a great way to discover new books! Meets the third Wednesday of the month.

SHADY READS
Tuesdays @ 1:00 p.m., June 24th, July 8th, July 22nd, August 5th
Why read inside when the breeze is just right? Grab your current read (or let us help you find one) and join us under the trees for an hour of quiet, relaxed reading time. Just find yourself a shady spot, and enjoy some light snacks, and book-loving company. weather permitting

SCRIBBLE & SCRIBE
Thursdays @ 4:00 p.m. June 19th - August 14th
Looking for a fun, stress-free way to express yourself? Join us at Scribbles & Scribes—a creative journaling club where you can explore new artistic ideas, reflect on weekly prompts, and leave with something you’re proud of! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, this is the perfect place to draw, doodle, and write your way to mindfulness and inspiration . Drop in anytime or make it a weekly habit! BYOJ (Bring your own Journal). Every week is a new theme to inspire writing, drawing, reflection, and creativity. No program on July 3rd. 

June 19:  Getting Started:  Whether it€’s your first page or your fiftieth restart, this week is all about giving yourself permission to create. We wil€™ll explore journal types, get messy with prompts, and decorate our first pages with style and confidence. Come as you are- blank books will be provided at this session.
June 26: Remembering:  This week at Scribble & Scribe, we're diving into memory and nostalgia. This session dives into reflection, nostalgia, and personal history. We will use writing and drawing to explore past summers, cherished spaces, and forgotten moments.
July 10: Finders Keepers:  Junk journaling and found poetry take center stage this week as we turn scraps into stories. Build your own visual vocabulary with ephemera, and cut-up creativity. Bring your favorite scraps and your curiosity!
July 17: All About You:  This week, you are the main character. We’™ll dive into personal prompts, self-portraits, and creative ways to tell your own story.
July 24:  All About Us:  Time to zoom out and connect the dots.This week we are looking at community, connection, and where we fit in the bigger picture. With maps, thread, and shared stories, this week is about the connections between us, places and people.
July 31: Lists & Schedules:  This week we’ll be exploring how structure can spark creativity and even borrow from famous routines to build our own inspiring timelines. We will make lists that matter, build quirky schedules, and dive into the daily rituals of brilliant minds. Check one thing off the list today: show up and journal.
August 7: Letters:  Put pen to paper in a whole new way. This session explores writing letters to people, places, and even feelings. From alphabet art to unsent messages, we are celebrating the lost art of the letters ”with plenty of paper, stamps, and soul.
August 14: Show & Tell:  Our final Scribble & Scribe meet-up for the summer! We are wrapping up the summer with creative play and reflection. Try your hand at layering, painting, and erasing to transform old pages into something new. Then, if you feel like it, share a favorite page or moment from your journal.

OPEN CREATE
Fridays  @ 2:00pm  June 13th - August 15th
Let’s party and get arty! Each session we explore something new and creative.

June 13th: Mini Paintings   Unleash your creativity on a small scale! Drop in for an open-ended painting session where you’ll get a mini canvas and the freedom to create whatever inspires you. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just want to play with color, this relaxed session is perfect for exploring your artistic side. Supplies provided.
June 20th: Summer Bucket Lists   Plan your best summer yet! In this hands-on workshop, you'll create a personalized summer bucket list filled with fun activities, goals, and experiences to make the season memorable. Get inspired and start crafting your perfect summer!
July 18th : Stamps and Stickers  Looking for a low-stress way to flex your creativity? Drop in and explore stamp carving and sticker making in a relaxed, social setting. Craft at your own pace, swap ideas, and walk out with something totally handmade and uniquely you. All supplies provided.
August 1st: Bad Art Day  Art doesn’t have to be good to be good for you. Come embrace the joy of messy creativity in this open-ended, low-stress session. Use paint, collage, pipe cleaners, googly eyes or whatever to inspire your inner disaster artist. No skills needed. Just show up, make stuff, and have fun.
August 15th: Pin Cushions  Stitch up something cute and practical! Join us for a cozy afternoon of hands-on making as we craft custom pin cushions using fabric, felt, and plenty of flair.

 

HOOK, NEEDLE & KNITS CRAFT GROUP
Thursdays @ 1:00pm  July 10 - August 28
Crochet, knits and fiber arts of all kinds are welcome at this crafting group. Bring a project to work on, or learn a new skill with the help of our volunteers.

JIGSAW PUZZLE CONTEST
Wednesday July 16th  @ 1:00pm
Think fast, puzzle faster. Gather a team of 2-4 puzzlers and compete to complete a 500-piece puzzle in record time.Fastest team or most complete puzzle in 2 hours wins!  No team, no problem! If you are planning on flying solo let us know and we will assemble a team for you. Puzzling starts promptly at 1:10 pm. Space is limited registration required - please stop by the library or call us at 231-352-4671

REVERSE TIE DYE WORKSHOP
Monday July 21st @ 5:00pm
Try out reverse tie dye, also known as bleach dying, to make unique, repurposed clothing.  Basic materials will be provided, but bring any of your own dark colored clothing you’d like to bleach dye! Supplies are limited

KORNER GEM WORKSHOP PART 1 & 2
Wednesday, June 18th
Rock Identification @ 11:00am, Cut & Polish @ 1:00pm
Bonus! Wednesday, August 13th Rock Identification @ 11:00am
Whether you're drawn to geology, jewelry-making, or just love learning something new, this is your chance to dig into a truly creative craft. Korner Gem's Kevin Gauthier will be sharing his expertise in all things lapidary in this two part workshop! From rock identification to cutting and polishing stones you will get to explore the art and science of rocks! Registration strongly encouraged. Please stop by the library or call us at 231-352-4671

BENZIE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY: NON-FICTION WRITING
Tuesday, June 24th @ 11:00 am
 

AUTHOR TALK: Tim Mulherin, This Magnetic North
Monday, June 30th @ 5:30pm
"This Magnetic North" Author and speaker Tim Mulherin shares insights from his newest book, This Magnetic North, which examines the impact of tourism, climate change, and the pandemic on Northern Michigan. Drawing from interviews and fieldwork, Mulherin discusses how these forces are reshaping the region and what it means for the future. Includes readings, behind-the-scenes stories, and an audience Q&A.

LOCAL RADIO: WUWU Coming to You!
Monday, July 14th @ 5:30pm
Get an inside look at WUWU, Elberta’s new community radio station, launched in 2024! The creators will walk you through their process of building a radio station and discuss everything from local stories to the future of broadcasting. Whether you’re a radio enthusiast or just curious, this event has something for you!

Community Art Exhibition at the Oliver Art Center
Thursday, July 24th @ 5:00pm
Join the Benzie County Libraries at the Oliver Art Center to view artwork created at the libraries by the community. All ages welcome.

AUTHOR TALK: Two Books, Two Sides of the Feather
Wednesday, July 30th @ 4:00pm
A discussion about how Sandi and Julia collaborated to revise tropes and inaccuracies regarding Indigenous beliefs and practices in Julia's novel Copper Magic. The amended edition, The Copper Stone, attempts to reflect deeper understanding and authenticity of Indigenous practices and worldviews. Their process embodied principles explained in Sandi's book The Path, a guide for those seeking reconciliation or deeper understanding between individuals or communities of differing backgrounds, worldviews, or belief systems.

ART OF LOOKING
Thursday August 7th @ 5:00pm
Julie White Pierce, Gallery and Program Director at Oliver Art Center, will discuss an approach to art appreciation she calls the Art of Looking. Topics will include how to define the word “Art”, how to discern whether a work was good or bad (or if that is even truly possible), and whether or not in order to designate something as fine art a work has to have qualifiers such as beauty, skill, meaning, and more.

PAYING FOR COLLEGE: The Michigan Education Trust
Monday, August 18th @ 5:30pm
Looking at starting that college fund? Michigan Department of Treasury will share information about the Michigan Education Trust and the Michigan Education Savings Program. Learn how you can gift credit hours to a student and more at 5:30pm.

 

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BSDL BOARD MEETINGS
The board meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at the library. Meetings are open to the public. Please contact the library at bsdl@benzieshoreslibrary.org or 231-352-4671 if special accommodations are needed, or if you would like a board packet.

June 11, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
The library will be closed for services at the time of the meeting; however, the meeting is open to the public.
 

POPULAR SERVICES

PRINTING & SCANNING
Black and White prints/photo copies are $0.25 per page. Color prints/photo copies are $0.50 per page. (cash only) Wireless printing is available with compatible devices. Self serve scanning to a personal USB drive is free (USB drive available to purchase for $5.00). NO FAX

LIBRARY ROOM RESERVATIONS
The Library Meeting and Program rooms are available to reserve. To reserve a room, you must complete an APPLICATION TO USE A LIBRARY ROOM. Please read the full MEETING ROOM USE POLICY prior to completing the application.

COMPUTER WORKSTATIONS & WiFi
The Library has 5 computer workstations for use, free of charge. Time restrictions may apply if there is a wait list. Wireless access is available for free, 24/7. Wi-Fi may be accessed after hours in the library parking lot or patio.

AFTER HOURS PICK-UP
We have 10 Outdoor Lockers for for 24/7 materials access. To get started, place items on reserve from our catalog and set your pick up method to "lockers". Please give us at least 4 business hours to get your items ready for you. You will be notified once your materials are ready. Not sure what you want or need help placing a reserve? Call us at 231-352-4671 and we are happy to help! Or use our handy INSTRUCTION sheet to get started.

LOCAL NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE
Search local newspapers online from 1888-2013!

HISTORY HOUNDS LECTURE SERIES
The Historical Society of Michigan's weekly History Hounds® Lecture Series is FREE to all BSDL patrons! All lectures are remote (via Zoom). Register online at www.hsmichigan.org. On the registration form, select “A member of an HSM member organization” and enter Benzie Shores District Library as your organization. HSM will then email you the Zoom link the day before each program. Free admission to this lecture series is courtesy of the Library's membership with the Historical Society of Michigan.