Libraries in Elk Rapids and Kalkaska have received “just over $400,000” each from the estate of a generous man.

Officials at both libraries say the gifts came as a surprise, considering the donor was not a regular visitor to either facility.

Williamsburg resident Charles, “Chuck” Heffer died on May 27, 2013 at the age of 89. He grew up in Buffalo and was an Eagle Scout and World War II U.S. Army veteran. He became an engineer, working at 3M, before retiring to northern Michigan.
Heffer left no immediate family, but his will detailed the gifts to the two libraries, plus money for Acme's Music House Museum.

“We knew nothing about it until we received a bank statement that had a bunch of zeros in it,” says Elk Rapids Library Program Coordinator Michelle Schubert. “We thought it was a mistake.”

The Elk Rapids Library serves about 4,500 patrons within its district. Its annual budget is roughly $250,000 to $275,000, so the gift is a substantial windfall. About 90 percent of the annual budget comes from property taxes with the rest generated from late fees and state and federal funds, according to Schubert.

But it was no banking error, and now the Elk Rapids library is asking for the public’s help in deciding how to best use the money.

The library board, Friends of the Library, and the library staff are seeking input via a public survey. Paper surveys are also available at the library, which is housed in the historic Island House. Survey results should be available sometime in the fall, according to Schubert. “Our board wants to hear what the public would like to see done,” she says. “We’re taking input through the month of July.”

In Kalkaska, officials are already planning how to utilize their gift. “We’re looking for a building to renovate,” says Library Director Bradley Chaplin. “We have several locations we’re looking at. The money has been specifically earmarked for a building and cannot be used for daily operations.”

An important library millage renewal to fund operations is on the Aug. 5 ballot in Kalkaska County, where the library serves some 17,000 patrons.

The Kalkaska Library is marking its 80th year of operation this year. It was started in 1934 as a community service project of the Academea Club, a local women’s club. Books were brought from members’ homes to a balcony in Strang’s Store on Cedar Street in downtown Kalkaska. In 1935 the library became a government agency through a WPA project. When the book collection outgrew the store balcony, the library relocated to the front of a beauty parlor.

Constructed of local stone, the library’s present home was built in 1939.