- Kent District Library
The Kent District Library is a public library system located in
Kent County, Michigan . With eighteen branch locations and an annual circulation of more than 5 million items "(2007 circulation data)", the Kent District Library is one of the largest and busiest library systems in all of Michigan.History
The history of Kent District Library can be traced to 1927, when the County Federation of Women’sClubs took on the project of library extension work. Since that time, the library has had manybenefactors. Mabel Balyeat, one such supporter, was responsible for spearheading the efforts to:
"Establish and maintain a main library and branch libraries, and to promote the moral,educational and social welfare of the people of Kent County. Aim: Any book to any person anywhere at any time."
In 1936, the Kent County Library Association was formed. The Library was a department of theCounty of Kent until 1994 when it separated from the County to form the Kent District Library. In2004, a two-part millage was brought to the voters, who approved 0.88 mills for ten years.Today, the Kent District Library provides library service to over 360,000 customers in 26municipalities in Kent County, not including the City of Grand Rapids, Cedar Springs, Sparta andSolon Township. Over the years, library branches have been established, renovated, relocated, andenlarged in partnership with the local municipalities that own the buildings. Eighteen branchesprovide direct customer service. The Service Center, owned by KDL, houses administrative services,including the information technology, human resource, finance, communication, and collectionmanagement departments. This “hub and spokes” organization allows for efficient centralizedoperations, while maintaining “home-town” library service at the branches.
Branch Locations
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/2 Alpine Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/6 Alto Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/7 Byron Township Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/3 Caledonia Township Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/8 Cascade Township Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/9 Comstock Park Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/1 East Grand Rapids Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/10 Englehardt (Lowell) Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/11 Gaines Township Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/4 Grandville Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/12 Kentwood Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/13 Krause Memorial (Rockford) Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/5 Plainfield Township Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/14 Sand Lake / Nelson Township Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/15 Spencer Township Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/16 Tyrone Township Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/17 Walker Branch]
* [http://www.kdl.org/branches/18 Wyoming Branch]Links
* [http://www.kdl.org Kent District Library Homepage]
* [http://blog.kdl.org KDL Blog] Stay up-to-date on all the latest KDL news, events, and resources
* [http://www.kdl.org/events KDL Events Page]
* [http://www.kdl.org/kdl/pdf/KDLHours.pdf KDL Branch Hours (PDF)]
* [http://www.kdl.org/reference_resources/online_databases Research Databases] "(may require valid KDL library card)"
* [http://wiki.kdl.org KDL Wiki] Subject guides on a variety of topics created by KDL librarians
* [http://www.kdl.org/whatsnext "What's Next? Books in Series" Database.] Find books in a series
* [http://www.kdl.org/about/lbph Kent District Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped]
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