Kalamazoo Public Library

Kalamazoo Public Library, selected National Library of the Year in 2002, serves a population of 119,00 through five locations, all either built or renovated during a 1996-98 capital improvement program.

A resource for the region, KPL offers an extensive collection, excellent reference services, the Kalamazoo County Law Library, ONEplace@kpl—a nonprofit management support center, 100+ public computers, and special services for patrons with low vision.

The library leads two countywide collaborations, Ready to Read, an early childhood literacy program, and Reading Together, a reading program that involves thousands of residents each year. KPL also contributes to a wide range of community initiatives, working with a variety of organizations—schools, higher education, civic, cultural and legal organizations, human services, foundations, nonprofits, and businesses.

KPL’s Local History Room resources include an award-winning database of more than two million citations to local publications dating to the 19th century. KPL also created and maintains a Local Organization Directory of nearly 1,000 Kalamazoo County agencies, associations, religious organizations, services, groups, and clubs.

Year-round events feature author visits, book discussions, concerts, films, art displays, writing workshops, topical presentations, plus storytimes, gaming, crafts, and other programs designed for kids, tweens, teens, and families.

The Friends of the Library sell gently used books, CDs and DVDs from a bookstore on the lower level of the Central Library.