Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
| Established | 1899, 1953 |
|---|---|
| Location | Midland, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 43°37′33″N 84°14′53″W / 43.6258°N 84.2481°WCoordinates: 43°37′33″N 84°14′53″W / 43.6258°N 84.2481°W |
| Collection | |
| Size | 262,065 (2010) |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | 860,380 (2010) |
| Population served | 75,215 (2010) |
| Other information | |
| Budget | $3.8 million[1] |
| Director | Melissa Barnard (2004-) |
| Staff | 51 |
| Website | www.midland-mi.org/gracedowlibrary/ |
The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library is the public library of the City of Midland and serves residents of Midland and of the contracting Midland County townships: Edenville, Greendale, Homer, Hope, Ingersoll, Jerome, Larkin, Lee, Lincoln, Midland, Mills, and Mt. Haley.[2]
Mission[edit]
The Mission of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library is to enrich our community by providing opportunities for learning, exploration and enjoyment in a welcoming environment.[3]
The vision of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library is to be the community's chosen gateway for knowledge; a place for our community to gather and connect.
History[edit]
In 1899, Midland Library Association was formed as a subscription library with 25 charter members paying $1 a year that entitled them to check out 1 book a week for the year. Mary Dow, sister to Herbert H. Dow, was the first librarian. In 1900, The Library Association opened their subscription library in a room at the Unitarian Church with a collection of 100 books. In May, 1900, a Free Reading Room was established with the support of local manufacturers and businesses. In 1915, the Library Association transferred control of the Midland Library and Free Reading Room to the Midland Board of Education. In 1919, the Carnegie Library opened next to the Community Center on Townsend Street.[4]
The Library Board was dissolved in 1951 and the City of Midland established a Library Advisory Board. All Library employees became employees of the City of Midland.
A new library was opened on Monday, January 24, 1955 at the corner of West St. Andrews Street and Eastman Avenue. It was named the "Grace A. Dow Memorial Library" after architect Alden B. Dow's mother. Grace A. Dow, wife of Herbert Henry Dow (founder of the Dow Chemical Company), was instrumental in the construction of the new library. After her death in 1953, before construction began, the library was named in her memory. The new Grace A. Dow Memorial Library celebrated 50 years in this building in 2005.
About the library[edit]
The Friends of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library is an organization that raises money for the library through book sales.[5]
The building is also home to the studios and offices of Midland Community Television, the Public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable TV channel for Midland, which cablecasts three stations on the local Charter cable system.
The library features a large children's section and a Teen Spot, a place specially for 6th through 12th graders, and includes many young adult books, computers, comfortable seating and an island table.
The library also rents laptops out for use within the building and has free WiFi.
Honors and Awards[edit]
The library received the Michigan State Librarian's Excellence Award for exemplary public service in 2005. The honor, which includes a $5,000 grant and a trophy, is given to one library in the state each year.[6]
Patrons from the library were able to win a nationwide contest in early 2011: "I Love My Library". Their entries included an explanation as to why their library deserved to win the award.[7]
On October 21, 2012 library director Melissa Barnard announced a $3 million grant from the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation to pay for infrastructure improvements and interior remodeling. Including this gift, the foundation has given $9.1 million to the library since 1938.[8]
References[edit]
- ^ "2013-14 Library budget". City of Midland, Michigan. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
- ^ " "Service Area of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library"
- ^ City of Midland. City of Midland Adopted Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2014. 2013. Web. <http://www.midland-mi.org/government/departments/fiscalservices/1314budget/budget-adopted.htm>.
- ^ Yates, Dorothy Langdon. Tell Me a Story - for One Hundred Years: The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library. 2000.
- ^ Friends of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
- ^ Warner, Casey (October 28, 2005). "Midland's Grace A. Dow Memorial Library Wins State Librarian's Excellence Award for Innovative, Top-Notch Service". Library of Michigan. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- ^ Eggleston, Sam (January 18, 2011). "Grace A. Dow Memorial Library wins national audiobook sweepstakes". Mid-Michigan's Second Wave. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- ^ "Grace A. Dow Memorial Library Receives $3 Million". Philanthrophy News Digest. October 21, 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- Erickson, Chris (February 2, 2000). "The Grace A. Dow Library". Midland Online. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
External links[edit]
43°37′33″N 84°14′53″W / 43.625747°N 84.248056°W
