Mendon Township Library

Mission:

The Mendon Township Library is dedicated to providing and making readily available library services necessary to meet the educational, informational, recreational and cultural needs of the community and to developing and promoting the library as a resource capable of meeting the challenges of today and the future.

History:

In April 1889 a meeting was held in R.E. Fletcher's office to develop a Township Library Association.  A letter was sent to the Ladies Library Society asking them to donate their collection of books.  Mrs. Nettie Bennet (a member of the group) became the first township librarian.  The books were moved from her home to the second floor of the Hickmott and Dukette Store which had been built the previous year.  The rent was $50 per year and the librarian was paid one dollar per week.  The library was open to the public Saturday mornings and afternoons.  After the Hickmott and Dukette Company began using their upstairs rooms for their ready-to-wear and china department, the library rooms were located at various places on the north and south side of Main Street. The Ladies Library Society continued to contribute books to the township library.

In 1905, H.L. McClellan wrote to the secretary of the Carnegie Library Fund in New York to see if the Mendon Township could secure funds from the foundation for the erection of a building.  In reply, they were informed that if a suitable site was selected by the township, $10,000 would be given by the Foundation.  The Township Board met with the Library Board and it was unanimously agreed to accept the Carnegie gift.  A committee was appointed to select a site which was decided to be at the corner of Burr Oak and West Main Streets and the purchase was made for $3,000.

Today, the Library remains in the original Carnegie building with beautiful woodwork throughout.  The Library has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

About Us:

We have over 40,000 books, magazines, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs and more in our collection.  In addition, through the use of the Michigan Electronic Library MelCat system, we have access to millions of other titles.  We have several public access computers and WiFi access to meet your electronic needs and offer photocopying and faxing services.