Seville Township Library

Library Showcase:

Over the last couple of years, the Village of Riverdale has rapidly been losing businesses. Seville Township Library, located in the Village of Riverdale, is thankful that they are open and still there for the community. The library is the village’s primary source for educational and entertainment material, internet access, and community programming.

The library was started in 1941 with a few books borrowed from townspeople. Over the years, it has moved to 3 different locations and then landed in their current building in 1966 which is a 2 story block building that is over 100 years old.

Along with supplying the community with books, they have a large collection of audio books for all those patrons who drive long distance to work, and they are the only source in town for movie rentals. For many Riverdale residents, they are the only source for Internet access.

The Riverdale School was abandoned years ago and the local children are bussed into Alma, so the library is the center of most community events. Young patrons come to the library for events and to “take a bath”. The main attraction in their children’s section is a very old claw footed bathtub that is lined with padding and carpet which is a fun place for place for children to cuddle up and read a book. Children love the library programs and attendance is good, especially for the Summer Reading Program. For the holidays this year the library hosted a Santa visit for about 50 children and a Gingerbread House contest. The event was paid for with donations from local patrons.

The dedicated staff works hard to make the library a child friendly place and works with the children to fill special requests that they have however unique they are. Years ago, a young girl wanted a book on how to hypnotize her sister so that her sister would wash the dishes every night.

Another library attraction is the library cat named Natty who has been living in the library for two years.

Along with the goal that they will be able to remain open for the community, plans are in the works this year for remodeling the downstairs, including new windows in the front, new wall covering and carpeting.

The Seville Township Library is an excellent example of the need for a library in every community no matter what the size. Libraries are unique because of the variety of services they offer and can help keep a community alive.

We salute the Seville 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: March 29, 2007