Homebound delivery service

The Portage Lake District Library is pleased to announce our new Homebound Delivery Service. We will be providing library materials to library cardholders who are unable to travel to the library due to illness, physical disability, lack of transportation or those not comfortable using in-person services at this time due to the COVID19 pandemic.

Cardholder’s delivery address may not be more than 10 miles outside of the PLDL service area (City of Houghton and Portage Township) and participants must have a valid library card without unresolved bills, damaged or lost items. Please email Michael Stanitis at mstanitis@pldl.org or call the library at 906-482-4570 for more information.

Virtual meeting rooms

While the Portage Lake District Library’s meeting room is not currently available, library staff remain committed to serving the community by facilitating connections using Zoom, a virtual meeting service. Similar to the use of the PLDL community room in the past, library patrons can now reserve a virtual meeting space for business meetings, events, non-profit board meetings, and more. Virtual meetings can accommodate up to 100 attendees and run for two hours or less. Library staff will start the meeting for you and, by request, will be available to introduce new users to Zoom.

To reserve a virtual meeting space, you must be 18 years or older. Meetings must begin no later than 6 pm, Monday through Friday. The following types of events are not permitted: selling or buying of goods or services, soliciting donations, or charging fees, either prior to a reservation or on the day of your meeting.

To reserve a virtual meeting room, visit pldl.org/virtualmeeting. Meetings can also be reserved by contacting Michael Stanitis, Program Coordinator at 906-482-4570 x111 or mstanitis@pldl.org.

LEAP(Library Education and Access Program)

The Portage Lake District Library (PLDL) is launching a new educational initiative in partnership with Houghton-Portage Township Schools (HPTS).The campaign, LEAP(Library Education and Access Program), aims to put a library card in the hand of every student enrolled in the school district. The LEAP pilot project kicked off in 2019, when library cards were issued to all 4th grade students. Now, PLDL is working to ensure that all K-12 students have library cards ahead of the fall 2020 school year. A free, full access library card will be included in school materials at the start of the school year.

LEAP aims to supplement the school’s own resources, as well as help bridge student achievement and success outside of school. LEAP will also ensure free library access to students who would otherwise have to pay for membership if they live outside of the PLDL district. Issuing cards to all district students will ensure teachers can comfortably assign the use of library resources without having to worry about where each student resides.

HPTS families can expect to receive their full-access library card when the school year begins on September 8. Students who are opting to enroll in the virtual option will receive their library card in the mail.

For more information about LEAP and other library programs and resources, visit pldl.org, or contact library staff at info@pldl.org and 906-482-4570.

Biblio Bistro

Biblio Bistro is a fun, quick and dynamic cooking series featuring local, nutritious and seasonal produce. Biblio Bistro is led by Chef Michael and Dietitian Meghan and includes basic cooking instructions and nutrition information about the ingredients used. This series aims to be accessible to all cooking comfort levels, ranging from beginners to a well-tuned chef. Shopping lists and recipes will be provided a week before the videos are available and participants are encouraged to cook along with Michael and Meghan. We promise your taste buds won’t be disappointed.