Kelsey Rutkowski – Library Director
Kelsey Rutkowski joined the Indian River Area Library in January of 2020. She graduated with a Masters in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University in 2021. She also has a B.A in Studio Art with an emphasis in Visual Studies from Grand Valley State University in 2019. Kelsey has loved the library since she was little and following a career in the library was the perfect fit.
Kelsey enjoys painting, drawing, making music, hiking, exploring Northern Michigan, and playing with her two orange cats, Hobbes and Bosco.
Some of Kelsey’s favorite must-read books include: The Night Circus, I’ll Give You the Sun, The Legend of Holly Claus, The Clockmaker’s Daughter, and The Travelling Cat Chronicles.
Loretta Erdmann – Library Assistant
Loretta Erdmann joined the Indian River Area Library in June of 2018. She has been employed at Inland Lakes Schools over 20 years, where she had the opportunity to run the Secondary library for the past 5 years. Her love of books has made this transition very exciting and fun.
Loretta enjoys snowshoeing, kayaking, bicycling, crocheting, adult coloring, rock painting and nature walks with her dog Athena and sometimes her cats, Tommy and Bella as well.
Some of Loretta’s favorite books include: The Stephanie Plum Series, Reindeer Moon, Scorpio Races, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and The Paperbag Princess.
Sandy Lintz – Library Assistant
Sandy Lintz joined the Indian River Area Library in August of 2021. She grew up in Michigan, spent 30 years in Denver, and came home in 2015. She was employed the by Department of the Interior for over 23 years where she had the opportunity to award and administer contracts to support multiple science programs and the National Parks.
Her love of books started at a young age and she loved being a library aide in junior high. In 2004 she and two coworkers founded a book club in Denver that continues to this day.
Sandy enjoys snowshoeing, kayaking, boating, exploring Northern Michigan, art, learning about nature and neuroscience, her home in the forest she calls Peaceful Acres and her rat terrier named Moose.
Some of Sandy’s favorite books include: The Poisonwood Bible, Seabiscuit, The Healing, The Red Tent, The Postmistress, Life of Pie, and The Witch of Cologne.
Ginny Martens – Library Assistant
John Preville joined the Indian River Area Library in April 2025. John graduated with a Bachelor’s in Literature from Lake Superior State University. He was employed at Bayliss Public Library in the Upper Peninsula for almost 6 years before moving to the area. Although John didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a librarian, he considers himself extremely lucky to say “I work at a library!’
John enjoys writing, spending time with his family, playing video games, finding new music, and watching obscure movies.
Some of John’s favorite books include Berserk, Bird by Bird, On A Sunbeam, A Guest in The House, and Gwelf: The Survival Guide.
Toni Stradling – Library Assistant Substitute
Toni Stradling joined the Indian River Area Library in June of 2023. Toni was raised in Wolverine and Indian River prior to getting her Associates in Social Services and Bachelors in Sociology at Northern Michigan University. Toni spent ten years in Orlando managing the crisis and suicide line and working with college students before coming home to work for the Northern Michigan community.
Toni’s love for books started in middle school and was often found at the Inland Lakes School library before and after school. Outside of reading Toni loves to rock hunt with her two sons, play with her two puppies, and enjoys baking but not cooking.
Some of Toni’s favorite books include: Gracelin O’Malley, The Bloody Jack Adventures, Anne of Green Gable, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and The Fault in Our Stars.