Pigeon District Library - History
The Pigeon District Library was organized in 1911 under the direction of the Tourist club, of which Mrs. Lizzie Wurm was President. After a series of fund-raisers, 500 books and a display case were purchased and the library collection was located in the Town Hall Building. The Village council provided space, utilities and maintenance. The Tourist Club, which became the Worthwhile Club in 1929, accepted the task of overseeing the library and the members took turns caring for and working with the collection.
In 1945 Pigeon Rotary club purchased the creamery building which is now the library workroom. One year later, the Rotary Club donated the building to the Worthwhile Club. Library services were offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
In 1963 the trustees of McKinley Township and Winsor Township established and formed the Pigeon District Library. Chandler Township became a part of the library district in 1969 and the Village of Pigeon followed in 1973. As a district library, the library was then able to qualify for the distribution of penal fine money and state aid available to public libraries. This enabled the library to extend its hours of service.
In 1973 Thumb National Bank purchased and donated the adjacent Gem Theater to the library. In addition, the Pigeon Cooperative donated the Gulf Gas Station property to the library making it possible to add 6,000 square feet to its present facility. In 1974 local funds and a grant were used to pay for remodeling and adding the colonial style front. The former Mutual Savings building, Pigeon Telephone building, and Schaaf Plumbing building were acquired and remodeled in 1984, becoming a part of the library. The parking lot, located across the street from the library, was purchased in 1988 from Harold and Margaret Paul and leased to the Village of Pigeon.
Over time the Pigeon District Library has become an integral part of our communities. Public and private gatherings are held in the community room at the library. Pre-School Story Hour, which began in 1971, still continues on a weekly basis. Teachers bring their students to use the many resources the library has to offer. Adults enjoy using the wide array of information available, including research materials, audio books, videos, and large print materials.
Many extra ordinary people have had a part in the library's excellent service and reputation. The first librarian was Daisy LaVictoire, who was assisted by Mabel Paul, a member of the Worthwhile Club. Roberta Richmond held the librarian position from 1973-1987. She was followed by Naomi Jantzi who held the position until 2000 when Jeanette Bach became the current librarian.
The current Library Board of Trustees includes Sue Herford and Cathy Schuette - Chandler Township; Linda Beyer and Marie Liepprandt - McKinley Township; Mary Dast and Beverly Walsh - Village of Pigeon; Nancy Heck and Marian Rathje - Winsor Township. Former long-time board members Ann Marie Clabuesch and Ken Licht currently serve as Financial Advisors.
Today the library houses nearly 33,000 volumes and circulates almost 60,000 items a year. The service area has over 3,000 registered borrowers. The Pigeon District Library is a member of the White Pine Library Cooperative, which enables us to borrow materials, which we do not have, from other libraries for our patrons.
The Pigeon District Library is proud of its community and their support.