This is a wonderful library. The small building is like Mary Poppins' bag, full of treasures…read moreuntold. There is an easy entry, with a gently sloping ramp. Inside the entryway, there is a bulletin board with upcoming events (so impressive!) and a few racks of free books (thank you!). Further in, you'll see stairs and an elevator to the basement level, where there is a meeting room and kitchen, as well as restrooms. The main part of the library features an open floor plan, with a variety of sections. Let's go counterclockwise: Right away, there's the checkout and help desk. The librarians are so friendly. Wander in a bit more, and you'll discover the children's area - with lovely windows, super cute castle bookshelves, and a play area. Heading further around is a tween section, where the bookshelves are crowned with large stuffed animals (I am sure I am not the only one to call that lion Aslan). In the corner is the teen section - with funky lights, fun seating, and plenty of displays. Follow along to the stacks, which feature the bulk of the library (all those lovely stories!), as well as interesting displays. My favorite display is the one for Poetry Month - take a look at my photo! The last corner is another one with gorgeous windows, and has table and chairs, as well as comfortable chair seating options. You can read magazines here, or get your work done. In the middle of the library is comfortable seating, and a wall of new books. Perhaps most impressive is the enormous array of events that the library has scheduled. We attended the Zingerman's Bakehouse talk tonight, with authors Amy Emberling & Frank Carollo. We'll be back for a cooking class, medieval faire, and intercultural events galore. The staff is so friendly and warm - this is one of Kalamazoo's greatest treasures.

I just love a smaller community library! This library is active with classes and groups for teens…read moreand book sales. I haven't had a negative experience here - from popping in to use the restroom during wassailing, to a class on cheese, to a presentation from Zingerman's, to book sales, to help finding an odd book - it's a lovely place to be!

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!

This sign is a nice commemoration of Abraham Lincoln coming to Kalamazoo…read more This was President Lincoln's only time speaking in Michigan, and this sign in Bronson Park helps us remember that. It is decorated in the Spring and Summer by flowers surrounding it's base. If you're a Lincoln fan, it's worth checking out to honor one of America's greatest presidents.

Located in the southwest corner of Kalamazoo's Bronson Park, this marker was placed in 1957 and…read moreremembers the time from 100 years prior when an unknown lawyer came to the city and spoke at a rally. I've been to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington and the Gettysburg National Cemetery in Pennsylvania. It's cool to be able to follow this great man around. The marker reads, "On August 27, 1856, here in this park, Abraham Lincoln, then an obscure lawyer, spoke to a rally for John Fremont, the Republican presidential nominee. This was the only time that Lincoln addressed a Michigan audience. The event was almost unnoticed in the press. Some Republicans felt the speaker was too moderate on the antislavery issue. Four years later Michigan's vote helped put Lincoln into the White House." [Review 11220 overall, 996 of 2019.]

Very friendly and helpful people! My grand daughter is going into the nursing program so she had…read moreto get a tb test. The young lady who I jetted the tb testing stuff in was very calming and made my grand daughter at ease--not only about the test but going through the nursing program. The technician was super! Wish I would have caught her name to give her cudoos for being more than just professional, she was genuinely caring!

The place is nice alot of stuff to do there, And the workers there are really nice. Overall I had a…read morereally great time there I suggest you visit!?!?!?!

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!

Easy to miss this marker that recalls the history of one of Kalamazoo's residents who went on to do…read moregreat things. The marker has gotten a little overgrown since it's installation over 30 years ago, so you might not notice that it has a back to it. Located in downtown Kalamazoo, the marker reads: "The only resident of Kalamazoo to be elected governor of Michigan during its first 150 years, Epaphroditus Ransom lived and farmed on this site. Born in Massachusetts in 1796, Ransom came to Michigan in 1834. An attorney, he soon became the area's first circuit court judge, riding horseback through the wilderness to hear cases. In 1836 he was appointed associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, and in 1843 he became the court's chief justice. A declaration he issued in 1840 prevented the removal of the Catholic Potawatomi from their southwestern Michigan lands. In 1848 Ransom was the first governor to be inaugurated in Lansing, which had just become the state capital." "During Epaphroditus Ransom's gubernatorial term (1848-1850), the Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital was established. Following his term as governor, Ransom became the first president of the Michigan Agricultural Society, which was instrumental in the creation of both the Michigan State Fair and Michigan State University. He was also a regent of the University of Michigan (1850-1852), a founder of the village of Augusta, and a state representative (1853-1854). In 1857 President James Buchanan appointed Ransom receiver of the Kansas Osage Land Office in Fort Scott, Kansas. He died in Kansas in 1859. His body was returned to Kalamazoo, where it was interred in Mountain Home Cemetery." [Review 11248 overall, 1024 of 2019.]