10 Highlights of 2023

2023 was a banner year for the La Porte County Public Library – a year full of growth, learning, creativity and community! We are grateful for your unwavering support and look forward to an even better year ahead. As the year wraps up, we can’t help but reflect on the vibrant variety of events, programs, services and capital improvements we have made to LPCPL this past year, and the memories we have made with you! 

10 highlights of 2023:

1. On January 9, LPCPL became a fine-free library! Eliminating daily overdue fines makes the Library more accessible to everyone in the community as well as saving taxpayer dollars.
    
2. Thanks to Howmet Aerospace Foundation, Healthcare Foundation of La Porte and Unity Foundation of La Porte County, the Friends of the Library have brought Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to La Porte County! Each month, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a high quality, age-appropriate book to all registered children, addressed to them, at no cost to the child’s family. There are now over 2,500 children in La Porte County who are enrolled!
    
3. In the spring, patrons enjoyed the peace and beauty of the Reading Wi-Fi Garden for the first time! This outdoor space is perfect for reading or accessing free Wi-Fi, and is open even when the Library is closed.
    
4. Another major capital improvement in 2023 was the completed renovation of the stairs at the Indiana Ave. entrance at Main, which was necessary for the safety of our patrons.
    
5. This year, the LPCPL Mobile Library has been out and about all over La Porte County! Each Wednesday in the summer, the Mobile Library attended the Arts in the Park concert series at Fox Park.  
   
   The Mobile Library was also spotted at Unity Park each Tuesday during the summer during Foodie Tuesdays, and attended the City of La Porte’s LakeFest at the end of July
   
   Additionally, the LPCPL designed a float and participated in La Porte’s 4^th of July parade.
    
6. The 2023 Summer Reading Program kicked off in June and over 700 children enrolled in “A Trip Through Storyland.” The traveling exhibit, “Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites” traveled from Minnesota Children’s Museum all the way to La Porte to immerse visitors in the world of three beloved picture books: The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats and Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill. The exhibit was available to the public to children and families to enjoy for the four months it was on display at the Study Café at Main. Readers who completed the program received prizes, ranging from digital bookmarks to reading lights, headphones, Squishmallows and more!  
    
7. In early November, LPCPL released a new website! This upgrade makes it easier for our patrons to access resources such as our Meeting Rooms, Library of Things and services, in addition to book recommendations, featured events, Makerspace equipment and branch locations.
    
8. On Saturday, November 4, an astounding 150 children and families attended the Elephant and Piggy Party in the Reading Wi-Fi Garden, meeting and taking photos with the beloved characters, reading an Elephant and Piggy Party book and creating a slime jar.
    
9. December kicked off with nearly 750 patrons braving the cold for the Silly Safari: Live Reindeer Meet and Greet! Children and families enjoyed hot cocoa and photos with Belle, the reindeer of the North Pole, as well as winter and reindeer-themed take-and-go coloring and activity pages.
    
10. Thanks to a grant from Howmet Aerospace Foundation, the LPCPL Exchange was gifted new equipment, which will become available to patrons in early 2024. Equipment includes: (2) Brother embroidery machines, (2) Ultimaker 3D printers, (2) precision mini-lathes, (1) AnyCubic resin 3D printer and (1) X-Carve CNC machine with a larger carving area. Patrons who train on new equipment beginning early 2024 will receive a free Safety and Learning Bundle (while supplies last). Be on the lookout via Facebook to learn when the equipment is available for use!