July 5, 2019 – An upcoming change to the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library’s catalog and check-out software system will limit the availability of free Library cards for residents living outside of the Library’s legal service area.
The change, which will provide an estimated annual savings of $60,000, will remove the Library from the Valley Library Consortium and end all reciprocal borrowing agreements with other libraries. As a result, Grace A. Dow Memorial Library cards will no longer be available at no cost to residents outside of the Library’s legal service area.
Current library cards held by residents whom do not live in the City of Midland or one of twelve townships that support the Library through property taxes will expire on September 1, 2019. Those who live inside the Library’s legal service area can continue to use their Library cards as normal.
Patrons residing in the following communities are located in the Library’s legal service area and can obtain a library card at no additional fee:
- City of Midland
- Edenville Township
- Greendale Township
- Homer Township
- Hope Township
- Ingersoll Township
- Jerome Township
- Larkin Township
- Lee Township
- Lincoln Township
- Midland Township
- Mills Township
- Mount Haley Township
Patrons located outside of the Library’s legal service area will still be able to attend all Library programs and events, enjoy materials while visiting the Library, and request Library-owned materials through the MeLCat statewide catalog service through their home library. Residents outside of the legal service area can purchase a one-year membership to all Grace A. Dow Memorial Library materials, electronic resources, and databases for $75 per household through December 31, 2019. This fee will increase to $125 on January 1, 2020.
The City, Village, and Township Libraries Act 164 of 1877 requires that all Michigan residents have access to library services, so residents who live outside of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library’s service area should contact their township supervisor or local municipality to identify the library system available to them.
For more information, please call the Reference Desk at 989-837-3449 or visit www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/library. The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library is located at 1710 W. St. Andrews Rd and is a service of the City of Midland.
