Battle Creek's other library branch, this is quite the amazing structure. High exposed wood beams…read morebaffle the noise and the sound so that you can quietly sit, study, read and enjoy the library. Organized stacks of fiction and non-fiction and reference materials. Two dozen or so workstations available. Several study tables with power outlets. An excellent wifi system. Plenty of parking. Late hours in the week and weekend hours. You BC people are fortunate to have this superior resource. [Review 11098 overall, 871 of 2019.]

From the owner: Willard Library is one of the oldest libraries in Michigan, with a long history of providing the…read moreBattle Creek community with all the resources necessary to expand minds and enhance lives. Not only do we offer the staples that all libraries were built on-books, periodicals, and other print materials-we also provide much more for every member of our community, young and old.

Great break out rooms to study! Near some cool places to eat and parking was super easy!read more

As a former librarian, I have a deep love for libraries that started when I was a kid. There are…read moretwo library systems in the Grand Rapids area: Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL), and Kent District Library (KDL). GRPL is my home library system, which covers the city of Grand Rapids. KDL's service area is anything outside of GR proper, including Byron Township, Caledonia, East Grand Rapids, Plainfield Township, Wyoming, etc. Library cards are free to residents with proof of current address. GRPL no longer charges fines on late materials, which is amazing and a great step for accessibility for the library. (If you lose or damage items, you still have to pay to replace them.) The main branch of GRPL is housed in the beautiful Ryerson building, which was originally built in 1902. The limestone exterior and Italian carrara marble steps give the building a historically regal look. The interior has been updated and added on to over the years, but it's always fun to find old touches inside the building. Multiple floors make up the main branch, so it can be an adventure to find things. Just ask a friendly librarian or staff person and they can direct you where you need to go if you're in a hurry. Self checkout stations are located on the main floor right inside the entrance, and new books are located nearby. The library houses an amazing collection of books, vinyl records, DVDs, CDs, used books for sale, a great local history collection, computers for internet access and library catalog searching, and more. They host many community events and lectures throughout the year. There is a designated parking lot for the main branch. The first two hours of parking is free - just get your ticket validated on the main floor. Parking rates are $1.10 per half hour during the week, free on weekends and for library events. I love spending time at the main branch and try to get there at least once a month, as the selection is huge and I can always find something great to check out when I'm there.

I love libraries and visit them in other cities whenever I can! I've been to this branch of the…read moreHerrick District Library a few times now and I'm always impressed with the selection of items. The parking lot in front of the building is free. Walking in the main entrance, new books are in the front and there is an info desk nearby. The new book section of any library is my favorite, and they even separate out the new cookbooks, which is my other favorite section of any library. I had fun looking at lots of great new books and then wandered around a bit. There is a great section of DVDs, video games, and even board games that you can check out. They have an extensive seed library, and I saw kits to test your home energy levels. Lots of great resources at the library beyond just books. I liked the touch screen kiosk that you can use to browse the library catalog or search for events. There is ample seating and I found a cozy spot to sit and use their free wifi to get some work done. I was impressed with the library staff as I noticed them acknowledging all patrons and handling all situations and interactions with care. I am a strong supporter and lifelong user of libraries, and this is a good one.

Lots of great kids actives!…read more Whenever I am here there seem to be a lot of kids actives happening! I love this because they also have a good age range for kids. Will be coming back soon!

I love visiting libraries in other cities, and finally got to check out the downtown Central branch…read moreof KPL recently. This library seems pretty big and they had a lot of cool things to check out right on the main floor. I was interested in the book shop, which is in the lower level. They have a ton of books for sale! It was a bit crowded and a little hectic in the book shop room, but it's good to know it exists. We wandered around for a bit and I saw tons of new books, a huge DVD/Blu-Ray collection, a nice teen area, and plenty of computers. The layout seemed a bit random but I wasn't really looking for anything specific. Kalamazoo is lucky to have this nice library!

Super excellent public library here in downtown Kalamazoo. Laid out on multiple levels with decent…read moreseating, many workstation carrels, tons and tons of lending materials. Not just books but CDs and DVDs and other media. The library is modern, fancy and very beautiful. Free public wifi does require accepting terms but it worked anonymously and very well. Staff was helpful and friendly. An awesome resource for Kalamazooians. [Review 11222 overall, 998 of 2019.]

This has to be one of the nicest libraries I've been in. Staff is super friendly and always…read morehelpful. WiFi always works and is fast making on line classes a snap. Great place to study and learn.

I really loved the old building, it was right next to my house and they had a basement book sale…read moreevery day. But, it was definitely in need of an expansion and an old church wasn't going to be enough. The new building is modern and very beautiful. There's always a quiet area to sit and read, and the variety of books has increased. I'm glad that so many Kent District libraries are getting updates, they deserve it.

Over an hour here, though I did have to plug in my headphones. The library is an after-school…read moredestination for a few of the local kiddies and they like to play video games. They don't quite have "library voices" but it wasn't too bad and they are, after all, kids. So some noise and talking is excused. The library is quite large with workstations, study carrels, lots of comfy seating and a number of stacks loaded with fiction, non-fiction, periodicals and reference. Wifi worked very well. Oh, and a bathroom that was clean. [Review 11089 overall, 862 of 2019.]

The library is just amazing. I go weekly, for books and take my granddaughter for the play area and…read moremany activities. They have something for everyone. The play activities are so well planned she begs to go. I have taken Tai Chi and also heard talks by local TV personalities there. The tech support staff are life savers. I have been to both open sessions and private help, with every form of technology. They sponsor classes for technology also that has helped me become proficient with iPads, Macs, PCs and more. It is such a resource for the community and the staff are the nicest.

Take note: The library is temporarily relocated while a major remodel is being completed on the…read moreoriginal building. The new location is at 5528 Portage Rd., and it is officially open as of yesterday, Thursday, May 27. The library has wauved fines during the pandemic, in part because the materials have to be quarantined before they can be checked back in. Please consider wearing a mask at the library, even if you're vaccinated, because so many elderly and immunocompromised patrons rely on the library services and are at extremely high risk of COVID co-morbidities.

What an incredible resource for parents in this area! This was my first visit to the Portage…read morelibrary, and I was super impressed. My 4 and 5 year old could have stayed hours longer. Tons of toys and books in an imaginative, brightly-colored space. Couldn't have asked for more. We've only scratched the surface of what is offered here. We'll be back.

Open until 9pm Monday through Thursday and with some decent weekend hours too, this library…read moreprovides a tremendous service to the Battle Creek community. Lots of seating inside, some of which have access to power outlets. All are in range of their unfiltered and speedy wifi. Cleanly labeled and organized stacks of fiction and non-fiction plus reference materials and periodicals. I thought the "librarian recommended" sections of books was very nice. I spent an hour here writing Yelp reviews in between work time and dinner time. It was very good. Their next-door parking lot offers four hours of free parking! [Review 11058 overall, 831 of 2019.]

From the owner: Specializing in: - Libraries…read more- Schools

Now open after renovation! The refresh and layout brighten the space. There is a sizeable…read morechildren's area that is in its own space with activity areas. So glad they kept the fish tank! This has been one of my go-to KDL locations because they always have a great selection of books out to browse and there is plenty of parking. Staff is helpful and friendly. The self-checkout stations are so easy to use. There are work spaces along the wall with power outlets, two small pods for private calls/work (have not tested the sound), sitting area by the windows and throughout. There are limited study/work rooms available. There are computers and free black and white printing available. Chapter Two Bookstore has used books available for purchase. There's a huge sale for the Cascade July 4th Independence Day celebration - fill a bag for $10! Pro Tips: * Download the KDL app! Easily access your library card, put materials on hold at any location, see due dates and easily renew! * Free audio, e-books, and movies on the Libby and Hoopla apps * Don't see what you want? Go to "My Borrowing" then to "Suggested Purchases" in the app to request KDL purchase it! They purchased my request for The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective!

Went for something for the kids to do. So many kids books, toys and a separate area for them to…read moreplay.