By Eric Hansen, Vicksburg District Library’s head of circulation and reference
The Annual Library Hop is a way to introduce people to area libraries and the programs each library offers. Each participating library has planned special events during the month of April. Schoolcraft Community Library is presenting a Storybook Walk in its Reading Garden all month; Mendon Township Library has an all-month display featuring Madam Marantette, world renowned horsewoman; and Three Rivers Public Library has a Paint & Pour Craft Project one day, and two author visits scheduled. Libraries offer events throughout the year that are open to everyone. They host authors, artists, hobbyists, informational meetings, children’s programs and events for teens, to list a few.
The Library Hop provides a wonderful opportunity to plan road trips with family or friends in Southwest Michigan. The first week of the Library Hop coincides with the Vicksburg Community Schools Spring Break and any student who is enjoying a vacation would benefit from this a great opportunity to be educated and entertained.
The Library Hop is a great way to showcase the charm of small communities. There are interesting shops and restaurants in each location. These communities have beautiful parks which would be great places to have a picnic. And there is history: Did you know that the harvester-thrasher combine was invented by one of the first settlers in Climax? Did you know that at least two of the communities represented were part of the Underground Railroad?
This is the Second Annual Library Hop coordinated by Linda Adams, the office and community engagement manager at the Vicksburg District Library. It occurs from April 1 through 30.
Adams and one of her friends devised the idea for this program as they visited local quilting stores for their Quilting Hops.
Patrons can pick up a “passport” at one of local participating libraries. Each participating library has a page in the passport. Each will stamp their page showing their library was visited.
The program has grown significantly since last year, from 11 to 19 participating libraries. It has been a team effort, with Todd Reed of Sturgis District Library creating a website available at LibraryHop.org, and Perri Saunders of White Pigeon Township Library creating a library “Passport” for the participating locations. There is also a Facebook page highlighting the special April events.
Participating libraries are: Athens Community Library, Burr Oak Township Library, Cass County District Library, Colon Township Library, Comstock Township Library, Constantine Township Library, Dowagiac Community Library, Galesburg-Charleston Memorial Library, Lawrence Memorial Library – Climax, Wood Memorial Library, Marcellus Township, McKay Library, Augusta-Ross Township, Mendon Township Library, Nottawa Township Library, Richland Community Library, Schoolcraft Community Library, Sturgis District Library, Three Rivers Public Library, Vicksburg District Library, and White Pigeon Township Library.
Patrons can find the websites and addresses for each library at the Library Hop website at libraryhop.org/destinations.html.