Loutit opens Brooks Media Center with vinyl albums, listening stations, more

Loutit District Library patrons can take a spin through music history with the library’s new vinyl record collection in the Brooks Media Center.

The new media center opened this month thanks to donations from Burton H. Brooks and the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.

More than 3,000 vinyl records were donated — from oldies to present-day classics. The media center will include more than 500 albums as well as listening stations, a new location for the library’s existing public computers and CD collection, small group study tables, and board games for in-library use.

“Vinyl has had a significant comeback recently, but it can be an expensive hobby,” says  Chelsea Payton, Loutit community engagement and marketing manager. “With the new Brooks Media Center, anyone can come into the library and enjoy music of all genres on high-quality sound equipment, which can provide a much-needed moment of relaxation.”

The vinyl collection spans the decades, highlighting influential and popular music between 1910 and the present. Albums can be checked out, along with a record player if needed.

Connection

Additionally, the collection is being used to connect with seniors at the Robbinswood Assisted Living Community with plans to expand the program to other retirement communities.

Aside from the vinyl records, the Brooks Media Center has also been designed as an additional, quiet study space in the library. Public computers will again be available next week, officials say.

Part of the media center’s funding came from a $30,000 Grand Haven Area Community Foundation grant and $47,000 donated by Brooks.

A recent ribbon cutting ceremony drew music aficionados. 

“We had a lot of ‘Oh wow, do you remember this (album)?!,’ ‘This brings back great memories!,’” Payton says. “It was really heartwarming to see.”