Building Knowledge Online: Two Northern Michigan Library Websites Reimagined by Traverse City Web Design
Libraries aren’t just repositories of books — they’re living, breathing community hubs that offer access to knowledge, resources, and connection.
At Traverse City Web Design, we’ve had the honor of working with two of Northern Michigan’s most vital and historic library systems: The Manistee County Library and the Benzie Shores District Library in Frankfort, Michigan.
Each project presented unique challenges, opportunities, and design goals — and both are perfect examples of how a thoughtful, well-built website can expand a library’s mission far beyond its walls.
We Made the Manistee County Library Logo!
Manistee County Library: A Legacy of Learning, Digitally Renewed
The Manistee County Library System is rooted in history. Its main location in downtown Manistee is a Carnegie Library, one of the original public libraries funded by steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in the early 20th century. These libraries were built on the belief that knowledge should be accessible to everyone — and we carried that ethos into the digital redesign.
The Manistee County Library serves six distinct communities, each with its own branch. The new website we built gives every branch space to highlight its own events, contact information, and local flavor, while maintaining a cohesive brand and user experience.
Some key features of the Manistee Library website include:
- A mobile-friendly design that works seamlessly across devices
- Integrated event calendar with custom filtering options
- Individual branch pages with location info and hours
- Easy-to-use navigation and ADA-aware accessibility enhancements
- Quick access to digital services like Libby, Hoopla, and online catalogs
The result is a flexible, intuitive site that reflects both the dignity of the library’s history and the vibrancy of its community programming.
Benzie Shores District Library: A Modern Website for a Beloved Historic Space
Over in Frankfort, Michigan — nestled between Betsie Bay and Lake Michigan — the Benzie Shores District Library is a local landmark, known for its stunning views and long-standing role in the community. While the physical building is warm, welcoming, and architecturally classic, the previous website didn’t reflect the same care or attention to user experience.
We partnered with the library team to create a site that feels light, minimal, and welcoming — just like the library itself.
Features of the new Benzie Shores District Library website include:
- A bright and accessible design built around the library’s logo and color palette
- Custom-coded search functionality for the website’s internal pages
- Clear, easy-to-update sections for events, news, and library services
- A secure and fast WordPress backend optimized for long-term use
- Ongoing support, hosting, and maintenance through Hosting North
The new site is a joy to use — both for patrons and for staff — and ensures the library remains a vital digital resource for the Frankfort community.
Why Library Websites Matter
When we build library websites, we’re not just designing pages, we’re helping build community — whether someone is trying to check out an audiobook, find storytime hours, or reserve a meeting room, the experience should be seamless and welcoming.
Traverse City Web Design specializes in creating websites that combine strong design with long-term functionality. For libraries, that means intuitive navigation, accessible features, and support for the many ways patrons interact with modern library systems.
Proudly Serving Northern Michigan Libraries
We’re proud to have created websites for two of Northern Michigan’s leading libraries: the Manistee County Library System and the Benzie Shores District Library. These projects showcase what Traverse City Web Design does best — combining elegant design, technical precision, and a deep respect for the institutions we serve. Whether it’s honoring the architectural legacy of a Carnegie Library or streamlining access to modern digital tools, we understand how to build websites that balance tradition with innovation.
At Traverse City Web Design, we specialize in creating websites for Michigan businesses, nonprofits, and public institutions. Our team is based right here in Northern Michigan, which means we bring regional insight, personal service, and long-term support to every project. We don’t just build good-looking websites — we build functional, accessible platforms that serve your users and grow with your organization.
If your library, nonprofit, or municipality is searching for a trusted Michigan web design agency with experience in public service, community engagement, and long-term site management, we’d love to talk. Let’s build something beautiful — and useful — together.
