Betsie Valley District Library

Betsie Valley District Library Come and "check out" the Betsie Valley District Library...the little library with a big heart! If we don't have it, we can inter-library loan it for you! II. III.

Warm and friendly staff welcome you to browse and enjoy the library. Books, magazines, audiobooks, movies, and ebooks are available with a valid library account! Services Available:
* Patron internet access computers (Free)
* Wireless access (Free)
* Inter-library loan
* Children's programming
* Enriching and cultural adult programs (currently online)
* Enjoy ebooks, videos, and music through the Up North Digital service!
* Curbside service available

Copies: $.10/page, Black and White computer pictures: $ .25/page
Color picture computer copies: $1.00/page
Fax: No charge for cover page, $1.00/ page thereafter. BETSIE VALLEY DISTRICT LIBRARY SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
I. Purpose. The purpose of the Social Media Policy is to ensure effective promotion and discussion of the Betsie Valley District Library (“Library”) services, resources, and events, and to ensure a reputation for outstanding community engagement and customer service on social media. The purpose of the social media accounts is to discuss library programs, events, and materials. Definition of Social Media. Social media is defined as electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. Social media would include any webpage or app through which the Library has an account and interacts with other users. Authority over Social Media Accounts. The Library Board has the authority to determine whether a particular social media site or network is used by the Library. This Policy only applies to official Library social media accounts. The social media accounts of individual employees or Board members are not subject to this Policy. IV. Usage Rules. The Library operates and maintains social media sites as a public service to provide information regarding Library services, programs, materials, events, and activities. Although the Library welcomes the comments, posts, and messages of other social media users that relate to the Library and/or its programs and recognizes and respects differences in opinion, Library social media accounts and any interactive sections contained therein are limited public forums and are subject to review by Library staff members. At the Library’s sole discretion, the Library may turn off or limit any features that allow comments about or reactions to the Library’s social media accounts. If comments, posts and messages are permitted, the Library reserves the right to (but is not required to) remove any comment, post, or message that it deems in violation of this Policy. The Rules are as follows:

1. Privacy: Users should have no expectation of privacy when commenting on Library posts or tagging the Library. Comments and posts may be read by anyone once posted, regardless of one’s friends, followers, or subscribers list. The Library advises users against posting their personal information or contact information on social media sites. Comments and posts may also be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

2. Library’s Rights: The Library reserves the right to reproduce comments and posts tagging the Library in other public venues (ex: testimonials). Reproductions of this nature may be edited for space or content, but the original intent of the comment or post will be maintained as much as practicable.

3. No Endorsement: The Library is not responsible for the content of posts made by third parties, including patrons, reviewers, advertisers, and others who may post comments. Public posts by third parties do not reflect the positions of the Library, its employees, or any individual Board member.

4. Unauthorized Content: To ensure a healthy, safe space to discuss Library services, resources, and events, content containing any of the following may be removed immediately from any Library social media forum:
• Obscene, illegal, sexually harassing, threatening speech or nudity (in comment or profile pictures).

• Any post that affects the safety and security of the Library, its property, patrons and staff, or creates a hostile work environment.

• Private or personal information, including phone numbers and addresses, or requests for personal information.

• Comments, links, or information unrelated to the purpose of the limited public forum.

• Spam or other commercial messages.

• Any postings that would violate the Michigan Campaign Finance Act, the Library Privacy Act or other Michigan or federal laws.

• Solicitation of funds.

• Any comment, post or other content that violates any person’s intellectual property rights, including but not limited to violations of the Copyright Act.

• Any information deemed harmful to minors in violation of the Michigan Library Privacy Act.

• Any post that violates any Library policy.

• Any images, links, or other content that falls into the above categories.
• Any post that requires immediate action because the Library does not monitor its social media 24 hours a day.
• Any document, information, or image that would be considered a Library record that is posted without permission of the patron or person identified in that record. For example, no picture of a Library program shall be posted without permission of every person in that picture.
5. Third Party Usage Rules: In addition, users are expected to abide by the terms and conditions set by third party social media platforms as well as follow appropriate federal and state law. V. Violations and Appeals. The Library reserves the right to ban or block users who have posted in violation of this Policy or to delete posts or comments. To the extent the Library has sufficient contact information, the Library will message users who have been blocked or whose content is deleted to explain the issue and notify the person of the action. Any person who has been blocked or whose post or comment has been deleted has the right to appeal that decision to the Library Board. The appeal should be sent to the Library Director within 10 business days of the (1) decision to block or ban, or (2) deletion of the post or comment, whichever is applicable. The Library Board shall decide the appeal. VI. General Complaints. The Library asks that individual user complaints be sent directly to a manager or the Director so that they can be addressed efficiently. Social media is not the mechanism used by the Library to document or address Library user problems and concerns, or influence Library policy, procedures, or programs.

Friends of the Betsie Valley District Library Open House, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, 12PM to 2PM!Celebrating Our Community...
10/07/2026

Friends of the Betsie Valley District Library Open House, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, 12PM to 2PM!
Celebrating Our Community & Library Together!
* All community members, families & neighbors are welcome!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO JOIN THE FRIENDS?
Joining the Friends of the Betsie Valley District Library helps support:
Becoming a member of the Friends of the Betsie Valley District Library means more than just supporting a building—it means investing in our community’s heart.
* Fund Critical Programs: Summer reading programs, children’s story hours, and adult programs.
* Expand Library Resources: Sponsor the purchasing of new books and technology updates.
* Literacy Advocacy: Raising awareness about the invaluable, free services our library provides everyone.
* Build Community: Connect with neighbors volunteer opportunities, book sales, and special events.
Learn about the Beekeeping Classes!
Beeing a Friend is Bee-utiful!
Enjoy Refreshments!

Betsie Valley District Library Gives Thanks for Rick Dimanin and His Beekeeping Classes     The Betsie Valley District L...
09/25/2026

Betsie Valley District Library Gives Thanks for Rick Dimanin and His Beekeeping Classes
The Betsie Valley District Library Board and staff would like to thank Rick Dimanin for teaching his “Adventures in Beekeeping” Beginning and Intermediate Classes at the Library. The Library is located in Thompsonville. From Librarian Michelle Guerra, “We feel so blessed by Rick Dimanin’s wonderful beekeeping classes. We are incredibly grateful not only for the knowledge he shares with our community, but also for his generosity in donating all of the class fees to the Library.” The Library would like to also thank Dawn and Greg Deyak, community beekeepers, in all of their help in supporting Rick throughout the classes.

Reflecting on developing the classes at the Library, Dimanin shared these highlights,
"When my wife, Lisa, and I moved to Thompsonville in July 2024, I brought the majority of my 60 or so beehives to our 40 acre parcel on the Betsie River, with visions of flowing, golden honey and happy honeybees. Unfortunately, beekeeping is a craft that has been around for centuries and is a very difficult subject to master, especially by yourself. After beginning my beekeeping journey in 2010, I entered Cornell’s Master Beekeeping program in 2018 so I could learn more about beekeeping and have the requisite knowledge to competently teach beekeeping to the public, and successfully completed the program in 2020.
When we moved to Thompsonville, neither my wife nor I knew anyone in the Traverse City area or, for that matter, anyone north of Midland. After much thought, in December 2024, I went to the Betsie Valley District Library to speak with the librarian about offering to start a beekeeping class at the Thompsonville library.
After she heard my pitch, Michelle Guerra, the librarian, was very excited about implementing the class that began in the spring of 2025. The fee for the beekeeping course was set at $75, with all proceeds to be donated to the Betsie Valley District Library. In total, our beekeeping classes donated nearly $2000 to the Thompsonville branch in 2025 and a similar amount 2026!! To top it off, the $75 course fee also included one year of personal mentorship at the student’s respective residences.
Each beekeeper started their honeybee journey by purchasing a “package” of approximately 3 pounds or 10,000 bees, with each containing a queen that would populate their hives once the “packages” were installed into wooden boxes. In early April 2025, I drove down to Flint and brought back approximately 20 “packages” of honeybees for the students to start their colonies. On the same day that I returned from Flint, every student met at the class apiary located in the front 15 acres of my property and installed their bees. It was a cloudy, gloomy day with thousands of flying, stinging insects wondering where they were and who took them there. It looked like a madhouse. In total, the class apiary contained about 20 beehives that could be accessed by the students at any time, day or night. This arrangement necessitated close cooperation between students for them to “feed” their colonies if someone was unable to travel to the apiary to tend to their bees on a particular day. Having a class apiary also facilitated friendships, with students collaborating with each other and comparing the progress of their hives during and after class.
One of the inevitable “side effects” of beekeeping is developing close interpersonal relationships with other beekeepers. Beekeeping is much more than opening a hive and observing the bee colony at work; it is also a craft that requires “hands on experience” and an exchange of ideas and observations during and after class. After the first couple of classes, it was obvious that we became a small beekeeping community, with each of us talking to each other, meeting respective family members and starting close friendships. In fact, at the end of the 2025 and 2026 classes, we had a “potluck” dinner at my home with all of the beekeeping students and their immediate family members. All of this “community magic” happened because of “bugs in a box” and people not being afraid of thousands of stinging insects while learning how to manage them.
The first beginning beekeeping class was so successful that the students wanted to continue their education within an intermediate/advanced class, which I gladly began teaching in the spring of 2026, in addition to also teaching the beginning beekeeping class. Throughout 2026, the class apiary often had a mix of both beginning and intermediate students, which facilitated fascinating discussions, beekeeping advice and close friendships. After living in Thompsonville since July 2024 and after three beekeeping classes, my wife and I now have a community of close friends that have given us great joy and happiness.
At age 72, I plan to keep beekeeping while I am physically able to do so. Unfortunately, most beekeepers are aging out and there is a distinct possibility that the craft of beekeeping will die with them. Right now, it is critical to have younger people start keeping bees and potentially start a business by supplying honey, beeswax and honeybees for pollination. More importantly, the depth of the knowledge that could be passed from older beekeepers to younger ones should not be wasted and I invite anyone 12 or older to join the 2027 beginning beekeeping class to be held at the Thompsonville branch of the Betsie Valley District Library starting in February, 2027."

Inspiration from Library Bookkeeper Alin Kuuttila
Library Bookkeeper and Librarian Assistant Alin Kuuttila began her beekeeping adventure by taking Rick’s Beginning Class in 2025 and furthered her beekeeping skills by taking the Intermediary class in 2026. Alin shares, “I have been interested in beekeeping for many years, but had no idea where to start. When a beginning class was offered through Betsie Valley District Library, I knew this was my chance. I took the Beginning class in 2025 and the Intermediate class in 2026. I harvested my first honey in August. The fact that I could start with a small hive of purchased bees in April 2025 and sixteen months later extract even a small amount of honey in 2026 was rewarding. I feel I have discovered a lifetime of an exciting hobby. I am proud that I am doing a small part to save the bees and share honey with my family and friends.”

Recruiting the Next Generation
Dimanin expanded his offerings in 2026 to include an intermediate class. While the mixed apiary has enriched local discussions, the 72-year-old Cornell Master Beekeeping graduate warns that the clock is ticking for the trade as older generations age out. He views beekeeping as an excellent entrepreneurial opportunity for younger people to supply local honey, beeswax, and essential pollination services to Michigan agriculture.
The next Beginning Beekeeping Class starts in February 2027 at the library for anyone aged 12 or older. Contact the Betsie Valley District Library at 231-378-2716 to register.

It's 9/25, Give like Dolly Day!If you or someone you know would like to support Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for o...
09/25/2026

It's 9/25, Give like Dolly Day!
If you or someone you know would like to support Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for our local children, please consider sharing this post and/or donating.
Please contact Benzie Sunrise Rotary Foundation:
Community: Benzie County
Contact: Valerie Gerhart
Phone: 989-430-8847
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
PO BOX 341, BEULAH MI, 49617

If you know a family with a child under five years-old who isn't registered yet, they can register online at https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/ or in person at the Betsie Valley District Library or your local Benzie County Library. Families living in either the Benzie County Central or Frankfort-Elberta school district will be able to register their children age birth to 4 years & 10 months for the program. Parents may go online to www.imaginationlibrary.com and search Benzie County under the Affiliate Locator. Families living in the Benzie County Central school district and and who live in Manistee County, must fill out a paper application. Please visit the Library to pick up your application today!

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a program that provides free, high-quality books mailed monthly to a child from birth to his/her 5th birthday. This program is open to all children, regardless of their family’s income. There is no cost to parents who enroll their children.

Dolly began the Imagination Library in 1995 because she wanted to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families. She wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Today, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends more than one million books per month to children around the world inspiring them to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More.
Studies have shown that children who participate in the Imagination Library and whose parents read to them daily from birth have higher kindergarten readiness skills in language and math. Furthermore, these children have higher scores in reading development in second grade.
While this is a free program for families that register their children, start-up funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library-Benzie County was provided by the following organizations:
Rotary District 6290
Benzie Sunrise Rotary Club
Frankfort Rotary Club
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Missions Projects
For more information, please call the Betsie Valley District Library at 231-378-2716 or your local Benzie County Library!

Join us for the Betsie Valley Busy Bee Book Club! October's selection is "Mad Honey" by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finlay...
09/23/2026

Join us for the Betsie Valley Busy Bee Book Club! October's selection is "Mad Honey" by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finlay Boylan. What’s the buzz all about? Let’s talk about what you’re reading and we will select books to read together. The third Thursday of the month, 1pm to 2pm at the Betsie Valley District Library. Questions, please call 231-378-2716.

Address

14744 Thompson Avenue, PO Box 185
Thompsonville, MI
49683

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 5pm
Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+12313782716

Alerts

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