The Grace A. Dow Library

Date 02/02/00	BY Chris Erickson

The Library has 2 checkout lanes and gives its users a receipt with due dates and the option of phoning in to renew items. Ever since opening its doors in 1955, the Grace A. Dow Library has provided the public with quality resources. The library is named after the wife of Herbert Henry Dow (founder of the Dow Chemical Company) who died in 1953. The library not only contains numerous books but also provides access to CDs, videos, magazine articles and indexed articles of the Midland Daily News from 1963. Books and CDs are free to check out and videos are $1.25. Library cards may be obtained by coming to the library and speaking with one of the staff members. In 1994, the library underwent an 18 month addition. The $5.2 million dollar expansion increased the total area of the library to 105,000 square feet. Various art projects are displayed on the third floor of The Library. These showings are free to the public and many times feature art from Midland residents. The Youth Services section doubled in size and an audiovisual room was expanded. Computers, located throughout the library, make it easy to search by title, subject and author. There is also a staffed reference desk for those having trouble or who need help locating an item. A magazine room, which can be closed off from the rest of the library, contains hundreds of magazines and is a quiet place for those wishing to relax and read. Although the magazines can not be taken, they may be photocopied. Individuals may use the photocopiers for a small price. The magazine room is a quiet place to look though current magazines without the disturbance of people talking. Storytime is a time when parents can bring their children and have a fun time together listening to various tales. There are two story times on the second Wednesday of every month. From 9:30 to 10 a.m., Toddler Time gives younger children a chance to interact with songs, rhymes and listen to stories. From 7 to 7:30 p.m., Storytime for children ages 3-7 is available. Family Storytime is also available on the second and fourth Friday of the month. Family Storytime allows a members of the Midland Community to share stories from their native country. The Library has a convient outside drop box for both books and videos that is open 24 hours. Library hours (For September - May Only) are the following: Monday - Friday: 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. The Library is closed Sundays during the months of June, July, and August. The Youth Services section contains picture books, childrens fiction, and many other books. There are staff members more than happy to assist those in need, The audiovisual room, which is located across from the Youth Servies, contains CDs, videos, audio books and DVDs. Down the hallway is the home of MCTV, the Midland Community television station. To renew books and CDs, please call 837-3457. For information and reference, please call 837-3449. For more information on the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library, please visit their website.