Dear Friend, 

It was a perfect summer day at the Green Lake Township Park as over 100 excited children and nearly that many adults gathered for the grand finale of the Interlochen Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. The Animals—ponies, chickens, goats, bunnies, and more—were coming to town!   

Anticipation ran high as the time approached for the petting zoo’s arrival.   The time came and passed. Quizzical looks passed among the staff and just minutes later with no critters in sight, the staff leapt into action to avoid the prospect of 100 disappointed, potentially mutinous, children.

First, volunteer Gwen led the large group in a song she created earlier this summer called “You Can Tell a Tail,” complete with animated gestures and noises. Next, Miss Ann and Miss Sharon brought out the bubble machine—wafting hundreds of bubbles in the air above the delighted children. What next? Hula hoops burst forth and soon dozens were joyfully twisting and gyrating in the grass.

What’s that noise? It’s a truck, a trailer, a petting zoo on wheels!   Hurray! The day would end with happy memories—of petting the animals’ velvet noses and soft fur, treats gobbled from the outstretched palms of our young readers, and children once again seeing dreams come true.   

Just another day at IPL. Another day of drawing on the talents of the staff, volunteers, and the community. Pandemics, a truck crashing into the building, or a load of tardy barnyard animals all meet with the same creative, problem-solving, calm approach. The Interlochen Public Library demonstrates for its community, once again, its resilience and strength.

The IPL couldn’t do its amazing magic without you. Your financial support keeps propelling us forward, meeting the challenges of today and preparing for the promise of tomorrow. We hope your faith in IPL has been rewarded as you see the Library continue to meet the needs of our wonderful community—old and young, readers and crafters, workers and job seekers, parents, grandparents, and children. Oh, my yes, the children.   

Thank you again for all you do to help the Library help our community every day.     

Sincerely for the Friends,

Sarah Thompson for the Friends of IPL

The Friends of Interlochen Public Library is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization.