The new St. Ignace Public Library will be dedicated in a public ceremony Saturday, June 18, at 11 a.m.

Larry Rubin will be the master of ceremony and many dignitaries are expected to attend, including U.S. Representative Bart Stupak, State Senator Jason Allen, State Representative Gary McDowell, acting State Librarian Nancy Robertson, Mayor Bruce Dodson, and architect A. Richard Williams.

By most measures, use of the library has increased since the doors opened April 9. Librarian Cindy Patten said she has issued 151 new library cards since moving to the new, 7,000-square-foot facility, compared to 43 during the previous three months and 281 new cards for all of 2004.

Library board members are noticing the increased usage, too.

“I think it’s been excellent,” said Hart Plumstead. “I was in the meeting room one Wednesday afternoon and I couldn’t believe the coming and going of cars and people. People just come and sit here. They like the atmosphere and they like the round table.”

First organized by the St. Ignace Civic League in 1924, the library has grown from 100 books to offering more than 23,000 books, videos, books on tape, magazines, and other materials, with eight high-speed public use computers and free Internet access. Patrons bringing their own laptops can also plug into the Library network with an ethernet cable and receive free Internet. Wireless Internet access is available for $1 an hour.

The board is continuing to raise funds to complete the purchase of a circulation desk and furnishings for the new facility. Among the efforts is the raffling of a specialized high-performance Chevrolet engine, valued at approximately $17,000 and donated by General Motors. It will be raffled during the St. Ignace Antique Auto Show. Five thousand tickets are available at $5 each at the library or by mail by sending a check for $5 and a stamped, addressed envelope to the library at 110 Spruce Street, St. Ignace, Michigan 49781. Library volunteers will be on hand downtown during the Car Show Saturday, June 25, to sell tickets as well. The winner will be drawn that afternoon.