The Lincoln Township Public Library Difference
The stimulating environment of the Lincoln Township Public Library would not be possible without the support of the community, so the library staff and library board work especially hard to ensure that the library offers relevant resources and programming. No dusty shelves here; instead, you will find a vibrant atmosphere where you can interact with others or simply refresh your soul in a quiet nook. As the very nature of libraries has changed over the decades, we have harnessed technology to bring our patrons a wide variety of materials and to gain efficiencies that make using the library both enjoyable and productive. We create an atmosphere that encourages intellectual exploration for people of all ages. We live by a creed of outstanding customer service because nothing excites us more than to introduce our patrons to resources that will educate, engage, and empower.
By constantly reinventing services for all age groups, the library continues to fulfill its mission:
LTPL enriches lives, inspires curiosity, and strengthens our community through the power of knowledge.
History of Lincoln Township Public Library
The seeds of Lincoln Township Public Library were planted in 1938 by a group of women known as the Stevensville Women’s Club, who first organized a library in the upstairs of the Village of Stevensville Fire Station. Although this first effort was discontinued, many of the same women spearheaded the effort to bring a library to Lincoln Township when the idea reemerged in 1958. Using books rented from the Benton Harbor Public Library and the Library of Michigan, the library moved through several temporary locations, including summer occupancy in the Stevensville High School gymnasium, a 12-foot space in the Township Hall, and a portion of the Lincoln Farmer’s Exchange Building, before eventually settling into its first dedicated facility in the Village Square in 1966. As the programming and permanent collection grew, the “Village Square” facility was soon outgrown, prompting the construction of the current library in 1974 at the corner of John Beers and Roosevelt roads. In 1982 and again in 2000, additions to the library were constructed to accommodate a growing population, expanded services, and the requirements of new technologies. Review the entire history of the library, complete with historic pictures, by clicking here. Purchase a copy of our newest history book: Lincoln Township Public Library: The First Sixty Years here.
From the humble beginnings of a summer reading program in a high school gym, the Library is now a gateway to a world of information and knowledge with stimulating programs and events for children, teens and adults. Annually, patrons make nearly 125,000 visits to the library to access about 75,000 books and print materials, nearly 12,000 digital materials, over 150 magazine and newspaper subscriptions and almost unlimited resources made available online and through interlibrary loan. The Library has become a cultural center serving the needs of the community with unique and ever-evolving programming ranging from the children’s annual Teddy Bear picnics to teens’ movie marathons to adults’ job seeker workshops.
