Rebecca Havenstein-Coughlin

April 9, 2020 | goldenl
Rebecca Havenstein-Coughlin

Long-time Canton Public Library employee Rebecca Havenstein-Coughlin passed away April 8 at her Canton home. She was one of the library's first employees, hired as a librarian in June, 1980, before the library opened on the third floor of the Canton Township administration building, and was instrumental in the growth of the library. Rebecca shared her thoughts on the library's growth in a recent video.

Rebecca loved books and reading, but she loved people even more. After serving as a librarian for a number of years, she moved into management and became the department head for information services, supervising the adult and youth librarians, and technical processing. Rebecca's number one priority was to provide excellent service for every person who walked into the library, and "Let's knock their socks off" became the rally cry for staff. A resident of Canton, Rebecca was personally invested in making the library an integral part of the community and was dedicated to service excellence and innovation.

"Rebecca loved the sunshine and being outside whenever she could, preferably with family and friends. Rebecca's primary library concerns also revolved around people and how we could make positive contributions to their lives," says Eva Davis, library director. "The library's construction projects over the last six years, particularly the children's library renovation, benefited from Rebecca's eye for the details that make the space wondrous and glorious and full of color and cheer for our patrons."

After being diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2017, she retired in 2018  and spent time with her husband, Michael Coughlin, whom she described as the love of her life. In 2019, the library dedicated a courtyard garden in honor of Rebecca. The Rebecca Havenstein-Coughlin Memorial Courtyard, which can be seen from the children's library and is a favorite nesting place for ducks, brings together Rebecca's love of the outdoors and her love for our community. Donations to help maintain the courtyard may be made at the link below.

 

March 23 Update: Closure Extended through April 13

March 23, 2020 | goldenl

Governor Gretchen Whitmer's Executive Order 2020-20 (COVID-19) has extended the closure of all libraries in the state through April 13.  

Materials
  • We extended the due dates on all materials, including MeL items, to April 30.
  • Do not return materials to the library at this time. Stay home, stay safe.
  • We've suspended the ability to place holds. If you have an item on hold, your place in the queue is frozen. If you have a hold item ready for pick up, it will be there for you when we reopen. You will not be charged for failure to pick up your hold.
  • MeL requests are also suspended.
  • We've doubled the number of items you can check out each month on hoopla, from 20 items per card to 40.
  • Kanopy has added no-credit titles, which means these titles will not count against your monthly cap. Also, Kanopy for Kids is now free for a limited time.
  • We've shifted our purchasing to add more electronic materials to our collection and reduce hold times for these items.
Library Cards
  • Standard cards set to expire in March or April have been renewed through April 30.
  • If your card has expired within the last six months, you can request that it be renewed. We will renew for your card for three months.
  • If you've applied online for a card, allow a minimum of three to five days for processing.

Thank you again for your patience and support. We are responding to emails and social media as quickly as we can. Follow us on social media for daily tips and activities you can do online.

March 16 Library Update

March 16, 2020 | goldenl

The library remains closed through April 5, 2020 but we have some updates to share.

  • The due date of all items currently checked out has been extended to April 10. 
  • You will not be responsible for fines that may have accrued during our closure.
  • We've suspended the ability to place holds. If you have an item on hold, your place in the queue will be frozen, and if you have a hold item ready for pick up, it will be there for you when we reopen.
  • Our book drop is open. You may return materials if you wish.
  • We've doubled the number of items you can check out each month on hoopla, from 20 items per card to 40. 
  • Kanopy has added 38 no-credit titles, which means these titles will not count against your monthly cap. Also, Kanopy for Kids is now free for 30 days. Warning: Increased demand for Kanopy has caused some access issues with the website.
  • The Michigan Activity Pass program has been suspended until further notice.
  • Our Wi-Fi is on a timer, set for library hours. It reaches out to the parking lot. Feel free to sit in your car and use it.
    Thanks again for your patience and support. We've heard from many of you how much you miss coming to the library. We miss you, too. Now go wash your hands!

March 14 Library Update

March 14, 2020 | goldenl

While we are still working through operational procedures during our closure, we do have some information to share about the current situation. Please keep in mind that things are still changing and we will continue to post updates.

  • You will not be responsible for fines that may accrue during our closure. Fines will continue to show up on your account, but you won't have to pay them.
  • We instituted autorenewal a few months ago, so any items eligible for renewal will automagically renew themselves, with no action needed by you. You may, of course, renew items yourself if you prefer, through My Account. 
  • Holds will not roll over, so you will not lose your place in the queue for items you've got on hold. You will not be charged for failure to pick up a hold, because, of course, you can't pick up your hold.
  • Our book drop is open. You may return materials if you wish, but you don't have to if you'd prefer to stay home.
  • MeL inter-library loan deliveries are suspended.
  • We have a very wide range of electronic resources that you can access with your library card. You can also use our databases.
  • We are responding as best we can to emails, Contact Us and social media.

Thanks for your patience and support. Our primary goal is to follow the Canton Township Emergency Management recommendations to keep our community and staff safe and healthy. Even though our doors are closed, many library services are open and we are here to help you get through this. Or, as Hagrid says, “What's comin' will come, an' we'll meet it when it does."

Canton Public Library Closed Through April 5

March 13, 2020 | goldenl

Following the guidance from the Canton Township Emergency Management and the Governor’s revised executive order banning gatherings of more than 250 people, the Canton Public Library will be closed to the public from March 14 through April 5, 2020. We plan to open on Monday, April 6 at 9:00 AM.

Please check our website, www.cantonpl.org, for updates.  

All Programs Canceled through April 5

March 13, 2020 | goldenl

Due to the library closure, all programs through April 5 will be canceled or postponed. We will make attempts to reschedule programs based on the availability of speakers and presenters, and room and date availability. For April program information, subscribe to our enewsletter. 

Special Message from Library Director regarding COVID-19

March 13, 2020 | goldenl

Dear Patron,

The COVID-19 novel coronavirus continues to be top of mind and we've been actively monitoring updates from Canton Township, Wayne County, the State of Michigan, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization.

We respectfully ask, for the health of our staff and our community, that if you are not feeling well, or are concerned about exposure to the virus, that you refrain from visiting the library. We are happy to extend loan periods on checked out items, or enroll you in our Books by Mail service.

In support of our core value of Access, the library remains open our normal business hours to serve our community. We have stepped up sanitization of public spaces. Our outside cleaning company uses commercial grade supplies and disinfectants to eliminate infectious germs, and they are paying special attention to cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, including high-touch areas such as door handles, keypads and computer keyboards, and of course, public restrooms. Our restrooms are stocked with soap, and we have hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes available at all public service desks. The puppets, toys, puzzles and other playthings which can’t be cleaned repeatedly throughout the day have been removed until further notice.

March Program Calendar

February 24, 2020 | goldenl

For your convenience, here is a printable list of our upcoming March programs.

PDF icon March2020printable.pdf

Check Your Mailbox! Canton Community Survey Underway

November 11, 2019 | goldenl
survey

Canton Leisure Services and the Canton Public Library are seeking public input that will be used to help determine future programs and services.  The 2019 Canton Community Survey is now open to all residents at this specified link. Please be sure to type in "Canton" as the evaluation ID.  

If you have already received a copy of the survey packet, please return it as soon as possible via the mail or online using the URL and code specified in your packet.  We estimate that the survey will remain open until December 3rd.

Prime Time Capsule Event

goldenl

Over 30 years ago, during the construction of the Canton Public Library building, library officials buried a time capsule under the front entryway. That time capsule has remained hidden, untouched since 1988, until this past July, when it was unearthed during a renovation project. While the time capsule was removed from the ground, its contents have remained a mystery.

Until now.

Join us on Wednesday, October 16, 6:30-8:00 PM for our Prime Time Capsule Event, when we crack open the time capsule and reveal the contents.

We'll have fun '80s snacks, an '80s-themed photo booth, historical library artifacts, and '80s music to celebrate. You can also contribute to a new time capsule, and watch the debut of a special library video. Grab your RayBans, put on your parachute pants, and join us for an all-ages celebration of 30 years of Canton history.

Upcoming sessions

There are no upcoming sessions available.

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