I recently received my Master's degree, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without Allegan…read moreLibrary. Each time my WIFI connection acted up or my laptop crashed, I went to the library and completed all my assignments there. Sometimes I would spend hours taking tests or doing research, extending my computer time over and over, because nobody else was waiting. This, of course, was all free of charge. The staff is very friendly and helpful compared to many libraries in larger cities. I came from a big city in Florida where the libraries had armed guards and time was limited to 1 hour of computer use per day.Compared to that, here I had a different experience. Lia Kea

I am so very excited about the new library!! This is an expansion of the historic Carnegie library,…read morewhich is still there right next door, and will be remodeled. Located on Allegan's riverfront, the library stuns from both sides. From across the river, it looks like an origami book. From the road, it is also gorgeous, with broad windows, and stairs and a beautiful accessibility ramp. Head inside, and you'll never want to leave. Besides the aforementioned windows, there are gorgeous lamps that look like book pages, plenty of space for the stacks, quiet study centers, a media lab, a teen space, and my favorite part, comfy seating all along the riverfront windows. Wow! Downstairs (pass a wall of copper fish, quite appropriate for a waterfront location) will be a robotics lab and a friends of the library bookstore (yay!). When finished, the historic Carnegie building will house staff offices and an expanded children's section. I worked at the old library from middle school until summers in college. There was never enough space, even way back then. The staff workroom was cramped, and the rest of the library felt that way, too. I never could have imagined this beautifully designed, light-filled, welcoming to all ages space. Bravo, and thank you, Allegan, for investing in such an important community resource.

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.]

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.

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.

WE LOVE THIS LIBRARY! The space is small, but the staff and offerings are mighty!…read more We don't venture downtown as much as we used to; we still love the main library branch. However, parking is a chore, especially with only one disability parking spot that is close enough for me to be able to access the library from. Enter, stage left, the Oshtemo branch of KPL. YAHOO!! Same services, super friendly staff, and *all* of the parking is close to the library. Inside, you'll find a smaller selection of books than at the downtown location, but a big heart. The staff are fantastic and oh so kind. You can still put holds on books, and they will be sent there from any KPL branch, per usual. There are tables and computers to work at, games to check out, a lovely and enticing children's area, clean bathrooms, and a useful meeting room for events, etc. This is the ideal of a warm, friendly community library. WE LOVE IT HERE!

We come here about once a week! All the staff are very courteous and friendly to myself and my…read morelittle ones. The book selection is great! The children's department just underwent a makeover so the shelves are easier to navigate for kids. Not a ton of toys for kids to play but the puppet show theatre, dollhouse, and LEGO table are favorites in our family. If you haven't looked at the Vox Books in the children's section you must!

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!

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 our library. It's always been one of my favorite stops in St Joe. Reading a real book is so…read moremuch nicer to me than a kindle. It's also a lovely building that is well cared for and has the feel of what a library should be, right down to the brick exterior and interior old beautiful hardwood floors.

I love this public library because I grew up in St. Joe and as a book lover I basically grew up in…read morethe library. I love this library so much I remember loving a series they didn't have all the books for. I contacted the author with the missing books and got about 6 books sent for free to me to donate to the library. The YA series Replica? That's mostly complete because of the author. That's the great thing about loving your local library: you can choose to make it better. I did reading events here as a teen (including being able to spend the night), listened to story time as a child and recieve my first library card here on a school field trip in elementary school. I will always have fond memories of this library. Thank you to librarians everywhere that encourage kids to follow their love for books and never stop reading.

I love this gem of a used bookstore, tucked into the lower level of the main Kalamazoo Public…read moreLibrary building downtown. There is both an elevator and stairs to get downstairs to it (also housed on the lower level: YA, music, videos, and more). The shop is only open a few hours a week, so be sure to check the times before you head there (unless you are already picking up your books, in which case, you will have built a stop here into your KPL journey). It is entirely staffed by volunteers (THANK YOU!). There is usually a cart of books on sale near the front, as well as DVDs for a dollar or two. You'll find just about EVERY genre here, even if it is only a book or two. There are always a lot of cookbooks (YAHOO!), YA, kids, fiction, poetry, music, etc. There's a Michigan section (always good for finding gifts), as well as plenty of NF offerings. Some coffee table books are more expensive, but generally a book won't run you more than a dollar or two. The prices are clearly marked on the back. If you are kicking it old school, they have both cassette and cds for sale. If you are musician, you're probably already in the know to check the small section that has sheet music and piano music books. A few times a year they have a big outdoor sale under tents in the back parking lot. The price to fill a bag is really inexpensive. We love this little bookstore, and the kind people that run it. It's a gem in our community. Re: Disability parking: There is ONE spot right out in front of the library. It is often taken by someone without a plate or placard. The library is not in charge of this situation, nor can they call ticketing to help (I asked). I have asked the city many times for more handicap parking spaces downtown, as of yet to no avail.

The Friends of the Library is a great little bookstore in the basement of the central branch of the…read moreKalamazoo Public Library. Most people don't know it exists unless they are regulars at the library, but it deserves its' own recognition. The store is stocked with public donations and overflow books from the library's shelves, so the selection will vary wildly all the time. They recently had a huge portion of their shelf space devoted to books about trains that were given by a donor's estate. Virtually no new releases, obviously, but there is almost some gem on the shelves and at a fantastic price. Twice a year they run a sale that overflows either onto the sidewalk or onto the library rotunda. This is usually a madhouse because of the pricing - 10 cents per book or $2.00 for a bag full of books. Well worth checking out. This place is also a great volunteer opportunity for book lovers!

Wow, what a stunning and magical new library in Saugatuck! I assume new based on the design and…read morelook of the space. We loved our visit here so much. They have a fabulous kid section with many play offerings, great book displays, computers and games and puzzles for rental. I also noticed that they offer free admission to Grand Rapids Children's museum through a "checked out" admission pass. Amazing! The library offered several great working spaces for adults, seating clusters and a large outdoor covered space as well. The librarian was very sweet and invited us over to a casual craft time as well. This will definitely be part of our Saugatuck rotation in the future. Perfect for when it gets too hot out, rainy days, etc.

Love this new library. Hope to see a little more kid friendly in the future. But for just opening…read moreit's a beautiful set up and if they don't have it they will get it for you!! Check it out!!