Best Libraries

I've driven past a lot of old county courthouses and have thought it would be neat to do a drive by tour of them, but what about cool libraries? Should a tourist stop and check out your local library? Is it a good place to study/sit and read? Post your library reviews here.

this isn't a "small library" but I like the downtown branch of the Ann Arbor library....

I also like the Carnegie Libraries... there's one in Downtown Jackson that's glorious!!

I find most recently-built libraries unattractive, but the one is Rochester is an exception -- mostly because of its great expanses of windows, and its inclusion of plenty of quiet space. It's a great place to work, and it's architecturally more interesting than most modern buildings. Still, it would be going a bit far to call it a tourist attraction...

Hmm, I'm curious now about the Jackson library. Maybe I'll stop and look for it next time I'm on I-94.

I also like the downtown branch of the Ann Arbor library. Not sure it would be worth it for a tourist to visit it, since there's nothing especially unusual about it, but it's a nice place and I've spent many a pleasant hour reading there.

Where I would recommend a visitor to Ann Arbor to go is the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. It's open to the public, and in addition to being a world-class library, it's close to my ideal of what a library building should be, with a nice reading room, claustrophobically low ceilings on the lower stacks levels, and terrifying elevators in the north wing.

The U-M law library reading room is also worth stopping by just because it's so incredibly pretty.

If you ever find yourself in Petoskey or Charlevoix, stop by their public libraries. Both libraries have recently moved into beautifully renovated old buildings just off the downtown areas.

The downtown Kalamazoo library was completely renovated a few years ago when I was a college student in Kalamazoo and I really liked it.

The downtown Grand Rapids library is quite lovely. Not worth driving out of your way for, but if you love libraries and are wandering around downtown it's worth a pop-in. On the second or third floor there's a nice section with used books for sale and a coffee shop. There's an attractive mezzanine overlooking the lobby where you can sit and enjoy your beverage.

Frankenmuth has a very nice public library for a small town. The library does have an extremely well-done and photo-worthy mural painted on the exterior of the building near the main entrance. Again, not a tourist attraction, but if you love books there is a fairly large on-going used book sale in the library's basement. I like to grab a coffee drink from the Frankenmuth Coffee Haus across the street and browse the used books there.

7 FranklyMyDarling

Yeah, Grand Rapids Main is lovely, except for the complete lack of comfortable seating *sigh*

check out the new Ypsi district library!
http://www.ypsilibrary.org/about/whittaker_road.shtml

The Westland library is semi-new for library standards, about 12 years old. But it has a certain quaint little charm to it and the librarians and aides are always happy to help.

No one has mentioned the "new" Traverse City regional library, next to a creaky old "dinner train" railroad station and facing Boardman lake with vast glass windows. I usually make a stop when visiting the region, although the collections are not as extensive as some.

The Clinton-Macomb Public Library is, I believe, the largest public library in Michigan. It's no more than 10 years old, and was a multi-million dollar venture. It has a massive selection of books, audio books, DVDs, CDs, and video games. If you're looking for a beautiful, modern Library to look at, this is the one to go to.

Also, if you live in the area, the CMPL has AMAZING programs for all ages, including (but not only): story times, video game tournaments, book discussion clubs, dance lessons, and concerts. These programs are all free and open to everyone.

Marquette's Peter White Public Library (founded 1871) is housed in a beautiful 1904 building at the top of Front St. in downtown Marquette. The building was extensively (and sensitively) renovated and expanded in 2000.

Housing over 227,000 items, the library received an average of 950 daily visits, which is an impressive total for a city with a population of 20,000, and a regional population of only 36,000.

I would have to say The Missaukee District Library in Lake City. But I may be a bit Biased... as I worked there when I was in high school. But Inside the library its just beautiful!

Used to live in Rochester and I agree---it is a great library! Am now involved as a Friend of Morton Township Library (Mecosta County) which is a smalltown library undergoing a magnificent expansion project. I think it, too, will be a wise use of space.

I am visiting all Michigan counties for a geography book. I find the Sault St. Marie library the best collection of Michigan literature in all the non-academic libraries in the State. In the Metro region, the best local library collection of Michigan literature I have found is in Auburn Hills, in the shadow of Oakland University. I will be depositing my working library at project's end at Central Michigan University, which houses the Clark Historical collection on the main floor.