Leelanau Township Library

Library Showcase:

Waterfront property is considered prime for those looking for vacation and second home locations. The Leelanau peninsula is surrounded on three sides by water and the views are magnificent. Cherry orchards and vineyards line the countryside and enhance the area’s beauty.   Art galleries, fine dining, and museums add to the desire to live in Leelanau County. Many make the county their second home and a few make it their sole residence. Soon after making Leelanau their home, residents find that Leelanau Township has even more than they initially thought; It has a gem of a library.  

The Leelanau Township Library is located in the city of Northport and their service population is a mere 2,139 residents despite the inclusion of two villages in their township; Northport, and Omena. Their 38 year old library building looks out onto the G. Marston Dame Marina which is home to glorious boats.  

The year-round residents of the area are few, there are just 260 students in their k-12 school, but their need for library services is the same as in more populated areas. The library serves the technology needs of their residents by providing wireless internet access, four public computer stations, plus one children’s word processing/game computer.   An additional computer is dedicated to their OPAC catalog. Their collection includes over 16,000 books, audio books, CD music, educational games, and videos.

There are social opportunities for everyone at the library. Adults can join the LTL Book Club or the Friends of the Library Group. The LTL Book club has been meeting for years (at least 14) at the library during closed hours. The library’s Friends of the Library Group is exceptional in the fact that they have gone above and beyond helping the library, they actually made it possible for the library to have a new building. Together with help from many local citizens, consulting help from the State Library, plus fund raising and short-term loans from a few citizens, in 1968 the Friends made it possible for the library to move into their present building. The Friends of Leelanau Township library continue to be a vital resource to the library. Each summer they host a line-up of local and national talent to speak at the library.   This summer’s line-up included author Jack Driscoll, editor Michael Steinberg, essayist Jim Lenfestey, author Anne Marie Oomen, poet Marie Bahlke, author Edward L. (Ned) Davis,and artists Davis and Don & Marilyn Price.

For the younger population, the library offers two story times per week. A volunteer, Claudia Bantel offers a wonderful introduction to fun at the library during story time. She makes the preschooler’s earliest library visits fun and memorable by reading, singing, doing felt board activities, completing crafts, and offering a snack.  

Each of the cherry and grapes that are harvested in Leelanau County are unique and distinctive. Likewise, each of the patrons that the library serves is unique and distinctive. The Director, Deb Stannard, her assistant, and volunteer staff make sure that each patron receives special care and attention by providing friendly and personalized service. The library’s combination of services, waterfront views, excellent staff, and exciting programming makes Northport an even more desirable place to live.

We salute the Leelanau Township Library for all they have done for their community and are proud to have them as a member of the Mid-Michigan Library League.

Mid-Michigan Library League- 210 1/2 N. Mitchell- Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: 800-968-0046 Fax: 800-968-3297

Website design: Holly Mercer
Last Update: July 3, 2008