Friends of Hackley Public Library - History
Friends of Hackley Public Library is the story of generous and creative people. The mission is to pursue activities that provide support for and benefit Hackley Public Library. One day over lunch in 1973, library director Barbara Wilson asked Muskegon resident Kim Farmer to serve as president of a group that would support the activities of Hackley Public Library. Kim said “Yes,” and Friends of HPL was born. Friends met quarterly for a business meeting and program.
During the next decade, it became apparent that the library needed physical repair. Plaster was falling, and the roof leaked. After evaluating problems for a year, a Friends committee presented a formal report to the Muskegon Public Schools Board of Education, which governed the library. During the early 1980s, Friends increased its membership and organized to have active committees. Friends moved from an advisory role to active participation through committees.
In 1982, Friends presented a Hackley Lecture, a free public talk by a person with ties to Muskegon who has distinguished himself or herself in the humanities. In 1983 the Lecture Program added recognition to someone who contributed to the humanities. The first Hackley Distinguished Lecturer was renowned poet John Frederick Nims, and the first Hackley Commendee was Robert E. Sheets. Friends hosted another event in 1983, a Holiday Dinner for members and guests. In conjunction with this annual gathering in 1986, Friends member John Allen created the Red Stocking Fund, an opportunity for members to donate toward buying books for the Youth Services Department, that “room at the top of the stairs.” Although the Holiday Dinner has not been held in recent years, the Red Stocking Fund campaign continues.
The Library Centennial
To celebrate its centennial in 1990, the library formed a committee chaired by Richard Charles Ford, and projects were organized by Friends. Funded by Dan and Shirley Rapoport and based on sketches found by member Bob Youngman, local artist Wilfred Berg completed a second mural in the Youth Services Department. Berg had painted the Department's first mural in 1934 as part of the WPA Project. In cooperation with the Muskegon Irish-American Society, Friends also bought a replica of the Book of Kells, a manuscript copied by monks in medieval Ireland. This copy is the only facsimile on permanent display in a public library in North America. The Centennial Celebration received great community attention, even attended by a descendant of Charles H. Hackley. John Frederick Nims wrote a poem for the occasion.
In fall 1990 Friends entered into a land contract to purchase the Torrent House from the City of Muskegon. Bill Hanichen, with invaluable help from Roger Andersen, chaired the fundraising committee for this project. In June 1991 the Torrent House opened to the public as a Designer Showhouse, a fundraising effort organized by Bettye Clark Cannon. Friends invested $110,000 to purchase the Torrent House and donated an additional $80,000 for repairs and improvements. Library staff and Friends held a “Rock the Library” Ball throughout the library building in April 1993.
Strategic Planning and Fundraising
Dale Pretzer, director of Hackley Library from 1982 until he retired in 1994, was succeeded by Martha Ferriby. At that time, Sue Wierengo, as board president, pursued strategic planning and fundraising in earnest. In 1995 it held its first Used Book Sale, becoming a successful annual fundraiser. Friends established a Stained-Glass Repair Fund with an initial donation of $10,000 from Dr. Barry Willbrandt. To raise the needed funds, the organization solicited donations, held fundraising events, dedicating money to this project for almost thirteen years. Efforts included two Parties in the Park; two sold-out performances of the mystery play Death by Chocolate, directed by Jack Rice; and Tom Harryman’s one-person show on Edgar Allan Poe.
A New Millennium
At the turn of the century, Jack Rice revived efforts to redecorate the Torrent House. Friends also aided the successful “Save Hackley Library” millage campaign. On March 1, 2002, the Library became financially independent from the Muskegon Public Schools. Kitchen upgrades took place in 2003. The staff break room was modernized and equipped with funds from Friends member Peter Turner and the staff, and the kitchenette off the Julia Hackley Room was refurbished by Bill Eyke.
After 2006 the Friends Board became more self-governing with amended by-laws. In 2008, the Stained-Glass Repair Fund had grown to $120,000, aided by a $20,000 donation from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. The library's famed stained-glass windows finally were removed, re-leaded, cleaned, and reinstalled under new protective insulated glass. That same year the library received new first-floor carpeting, media shelves, and computer chairs, thanks to the generosity of Friends J. Max and Elizabeth Busard. A donation from the estate of Barbara Skoglund made possible restoration of the portrait of Charles Hackley that had been in the library until 1924, and it was rehung on the wall.
Other Successful Projects
The Hackley Lectures have continued annually, missing only the first Covid 19 year of 2020 when gatherings were prohibited. In 2009 a special Muskegon native, John Beyrle, U.S. ambassador to Russia, spoke to almost 600 audience members on U.S.-Russian relations.
After the Stained-Glass project was completed, the Friends Board “adopted” the Youth Services Department to raise funds for a much-needed renovation. The goal was $100,000, a portion of the larger $1.1 million “Building of Character” Campaign launched by the library. Friends raised more than the goal within a year through grants, donations, a Royal Wedding Breakfast, book sales, and bookfair.
To help celebrate Muskegon's Arts & Humanities Festival in October 2010, Friends sponsored a talk and book signing by popular author Mitch Albom at the Frauenthal Center. Hayden Smith chaired the event, attended by over 700 people.
The year 2011 was exceptional for Friends of Hackley Library. In addition to meeting its goal for the Children’s Department and holding regular activities, the organization won a Facebook-based mini-grant from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County; and a committee of Friends, led by Carolyn Madden and MaryJeanne Silvis, succeeded in getting Hackley Library designated Michigan's seventh National Literary Landmark, based on work done there by local children’s author Verna Aardema Vugteveen. Friends Board members also nominated Library Director Marty Ferriby in the “I Love My Librarian!” contest sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation and the New York Times. Marty was one of ten librarians to win $5000 and receive national recognition at a ceremony in New York.
In 2012, Friends hosted two celebrations: The Library was officially dedicated as a Literary Landmark on June 12, and the Youth Services Department showed off its new look to the public in November. That summer the American Library honored Friends of Hackley Library with a $1000 Baker & Taylor Award for outstanding efforts in a calendar year.
Yet another creative fundraiser was organized in 2013. Chaired by Kathleen Snider, “Bling Thing,” a sale of jewelry and other sparkly items, made over $9000. Its popularity has grown each year. The organization also won the 2012 Muskegon Arts & Humanities Festival Award for Programming for its faithful sponsorship of the Hackley Lecture.
Always eager to help the library, the Friends Board took on another project in summer 2013—raising over $60,000 to help renovate part of the library's lower level, formerly home to the Genealogy and Local History departments, which had moved to the Torrent House. The space has become a much-needed community gathering area for meetings, workshops, and programs offered by both the library and area groups.
Joe Zappacosta was named Library Director in 2018. Since then, the library has extended its outreach in the community, and Friends continues to assist in program and outreach efforts. In addition to many projects undertaken to maintain the library’s 134-year-old building, Friends increased its annual support for hundreds of adults and youth, now $25,000, and funds other program needs throughout the year as requested by the Library Director.
In 2022, Friends donated $11,000 to the library to renovate and enhance technology to a main level meeting room, available for use by the community. To mark its fiftieth anniversary in 2023, Friends of Hackley Public Library held a reception. Over those years, Friends invested over one million dollars in support of Hackley Public Library! Contributions of this organization to a grateful Hackley Library and Muskegon County have exceeded what anyone could have anticipated in 1973.
Timeline Friends of Hackley Public Library
1973 Friends of Hackley Public Library created by Kim Farmer who became its first president
1982 Hackley Distinguished Lecture program
1983 Hackley Commendees for Contribution to the Humanities established
1986 First Holiday Dinner hosted by Friends
1988 Robinson essay contest established
1990 Hackley Public Library centennial orchestrated by the Friends with Richard Charles Ford as chairman
Friends entered into land contract to purchase Torrent House from city of Muskegon for use by library
1991 Torrent House opened to public
1994 Purchase of Torrent House completed, with Friends investment totaling $110,000 plus $80,000 for repairs and improvements; improvements continue through the 1990's
Marty Ferriby becomes Library Director
1995 First annual used book sale takes place
Friends launch fundraising campaign to repair and restore stained glass windows
2008 Stained glass window restoration complete
2010-12 Renovated Youth Services Department with $104,000 raised by Friends
2012 Hackley Public Library dedicated as national Literary Landmark, based on its relationship with award-winning children’s author Verna Aardema
Friends receive Baker & Taylor Award from American Library Association
2013 Friends launch fundraising campaign for community meeting room
First Bling Thing fundraiser held
2018 Joe Zappacosta becomes Director of Hackley Public Library
2022 Friends donate $11,000 to help renovate small meeting room on main level
During the next decade, it became apparent that the library needed physical repair. Plaster was falling, and the roof leaked. After evaluating problems for a year, a Friends committee presented a formal report to the Muskegon Public Schools Board of Education, which governed the library. During the early 1980s, Friends increased its membership and organized to have active committees. Friends moved from an advisory role to active participation through committees.
In 1982, Friends presented a Hackley Lecture, a free public talk by a person with ties to Muskegon who has distinguished himself or herself in the humanities. In 1983 the Lecture Program added recognition to someone who contributed to the humanities. The first Hackley Distinguished Lecturer was renowned poet John Frederick Nims, and the first Hackley Commendee was Robert E. Sheets. Friends hosted another event in 1983, a Holiday Dinner for members and guests. In conjunction with this annual gathering in 1986, Friends member John Allen created the Red Stocking Fund, an opportunity for members to donate toward buying books for the Youth Services Department, that “room at the top of the stairs.” Although the Holiday Dinner has not been held in recent years, the Red Stocking Fund campaign continues.
The Library Centennial
To celebrate its centennial in 1990, the library formed a committee chaired by Richard Charles Ford, and projects were organized by Friends. Funded by Dan and Shirley Rapoport and based on sketches found by member Bob Youngman, local artist Wilfred Berg completed a second mural in the Youth Services Department. Berg had painted the Department's first mural in 1934 as part of the WPA Project. In cooperation with the Muskegon Irish-American Society, Friends also bought a replica of the Book of Kells, a manuscript copied by monks in medieval Ireland. This copy is the only facsimile on permanent display in a public library in North America. The Centennial Celebration received great community attention, even attended by a descendant of Charles H. Hackley. John Frederick Nims wrote a poem for the occasion.
In fall 1990 Friends entered into a land contract to purchase the Torrent House from the City of Muskegon. Bill Hanichen, with invaluable help from Roger Andersen, chaired the fundraising committee for this project. In June 1991 the Torrent House opened to the public as a Designer Showhouse, a fundraising effort organized by Bettye Clark Cannon. Friends invested $110,000 to purchase the Torrent House and donated an additional $80,000 for repairs and improvements. Library staff and Friends held a “Rock the Library” Ball throughout the library building in April 1993.
Strategic Planning and Fundraising
Dale Pretzer, director of Hackley Library from 1982 until he retired in 1994, was succeeded by Martha Ferriby. At that time, Sue Wierengo, as board president, pursued strategic planning and fundraising in earnest. In 1995 it held its first Used Book Sale, becoming a successful annual fundraiser. Friends established a Stained-Glass Repair Fund with an initial donation of $10,000 from Dr. Barry Willbrandt. To raise the needed funds, the organization solicited donations, held fundraising events, dedicating money to this project for almost thirteen years. Efforts included two Parties in the Park; two sold-out performances of the mystery play Death by Chocolate, directed by Jack Rice; and Tom Harryman’s one-person show on Edgar Allan Poe.
A New Millennium
At the turn of the century, Jack Rice revived efforts to redecorate the Torrent House. Friends also aided the successful “Save Hackley Library” millage campaign. On March 1, 2002, the Library became financially independent from the Muskegon Public Schools. Kitchen upgrades took place in 2003. The staff break room was modernized and equipped with funds from Friends member Peter Turner and the staff, and the kitchenette off the Julia Hackley Room was refurbished by Bill Eyke.
After 2006 the Friends Board became more self-governing with amended by-laws. In 2008, the Stained-Glass Repair Fund had grown to $120,000, aided by a $20,000 donation from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. The library's famed stained-glass windows finally were removed, re-leaded, cleaned, and reinstalled under new protective insulated glass. That same year the library received new first-floor carpeting, media shelves, and computer chairs, thanks to the generosity of Friends J. Max and Elizabeth Busard. A donation from the estate of Barbara Skoglund made possible restoration of the portrait of Charles Hackley that had been in the library until 1924, and it was rehung on the wall.
Other Successful Projects
The Hackley Lectures have continued annually, missing only the first Covid 19 year of 2020 when gatherings were prohibited. In 2009 a special Muskegon native, John Beyrle, U.S. ambassador to Russia, spoke to almost 600 audience members on U.S.-Russian relations.
After the Stained-Glass project was completed, the Friends Board “adopted” the Youth Services Department to raise funds for a much-needed renovation. The goal was $100,000, a portion of the larger $1.1 million “Building of Character” Campaign launched by the library. Friends raised more than the goal within a year through grants, donations, a Royal Wedding Breakfast, book sales, and bookfair.
To help celebrate Muskegon's Arts & Humanities Festival in October 2010, Friends sponsored a talk and book signing by popular author Mitch Albom at the Frauenthal Center. Hayden Smith chaired the event, attended by over 700 people.
The year 2011 was exceptional for Friends of Hackley Library. In addition to meeting its goal for the Children’s Department and holding regular activities, the organization won a Facebook-based mini-grant from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County; and a committee of Friends, led by Carolyn Madden and MaryJeanne Silvis, succeeded in getting Hackley Library designated Michigan's seventh National Literary Landmark, based on work done there by local children’s author Verna Aardema Vugteveen. Friends Board members also nominated Library Director Marty Ferriby in the “I Love My Librarian!” contest sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation and the New York Times. Marty was one of ten librarians to win $5000 and receive national recognition at a ceremony in New York.
In 2012, Friends hosted two celebrations: The Library was officially dedicated as a Literary Landmark on June 12, and the Youth Services Department showed off its new look to the public in November. That summer the American Library honored Friends of Hackley Library with a $1000 Baker & Taylor Award for outstanding efforts in a calendar year.
Yet another creative fundraiser was organized in 2013. Chaired by Kathleen Snider, “Bling Thing,” a sale of jewelry and other sparkly items, made over $9000. Its popularity has grown each year. The organization also won the 2012 Muskegon Arts & Humanities Festival Award for Programming for its faithful sponsorship of the Hackley Lecture.
Always eager to help the library, the Friends Board took on another project in summer 2013—raising over $60,000 to help renovate part of the library's lower level, formerly home to the Genealogy and Local History departments, which had moved to the Torrent House. The space has become a much-needed community gathering area for meetings, workshops, and programs offered by both the library and area groups.
Joe Zappacosta was named Library Director in 2018. Since then, the library has extended its outreach in the community, and Friends continues to assist in program and outreach efforts. In addition to many projects undertaken to maintain the library’s 134-year-old building, Friends increased its annual support for hundreds of adults and youth, now $25,000, and funds other program needs throughout the year as requested by the Library Director.
In 2022, Friends donated $11,000 to the library to renovate and enhance technology to a main level meeting room, available for use by the community. To mark its fiftieth anniversary in 2023, Friends of Hackley Public Library held a reception. Over those years, Friends invested over one million dollars in support of Hackley Public Library! Contributions of this organization to a grateful Hackley Library and Muskegon County have exceeded what anyone could have anticipated in 1973.
Timeline Friends of Hackley Public Library
1973 Friends of Hackley Public Library created by Kim Farmer who became its first president
1982 Hackley Distinguished Lecture program
1983 Hackley Commendees for Contribution to the Humanities established
1986 First Holiday Dinner hosted by Friends
1988 Robinson essay contest established
1990 Hackley Public Library centennial orchestrated by the Friends with Richard Charles Ford as chairman
Friends entered into land contract to purchase Torrent House from city of Muskegon for use by library
1991 Torrent House opened to public
1994 Purchase of Torrent House completed, with Friends investment totaling $110,000 plus $80,000 for repairs and improvements; improvements continue through the 1990's
Marty Ferriby becomes Library Director
1995 First annual used book sale takes place
Friends launch fundraising campaign to repair and restore stained glass windows
2008 Stained glass window restoration complete
2010-12 Renovated Youth Services Department with $104,000 raised by Friends
2012 Hackley Public Library dedicated as national Literary Landmark, based on its relationship with award-winning children’s author Verna Aardema
Friends receive Baker & Taylor Award from American Library Association
2013 Friends launch fundraising campaign for community meeting room
First Bling Thing fundraiser held
2018 Joe Zappacosta becomes Director of Hackley Public Library
2022 Friends donate $11,000 to help renovate small meeting room on main level