Ypsilanti District Library
🏢 Ypsilanti District Library · Ypsilanti, Michigan
Ypsilanti District Library
Founded in 1868 by six Ypsilanti women with 175 books, the Ypsilanti District Library has grown from a subscription reading room in the Arcade Block to a three-branch system serving more than 400,000 visitors a year — all on a free public card. The flagship Whittaker Road branch at 5577 Whittaker Road is Michigan's largest at 60,000 square feet and anchors a district that became independent of city government after voters created it in 1983.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–9pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–9pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–9pm |
| Thursday | 9am–9pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–6pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone: (734) 482-4110
Website: ypsilibrary.org
Plus Code: 86JR695M+3P (Ypsilanti, MI)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Ypsilanti District Library
The Ypsilanti District Library traces its roots to May 23, 1868, when six local women opened a subscription library of 175 volumes in the Arcade Building on North Huron Street. By 1890 philanthropist Mary Ann Starkweather had donated her home at 130 N. Huron Street to the Ladies Library Association — a gift so significant the board chose it over pursuing a Carnegie grant. The city began funding library operations in 1899, making access free, and in 1948 it was formally renamed the Public Library. In 1983, Ypsilanti city and township residents voted to create an independent district library, and today YDL operates three full-service branches — Whittaker Road (opened 2002, 60,000 sq ft), Michigan Avenue downtown (renovated 2003), and Superior Township (rebuilt 2022) — plus a bookmobile. The system belongs to the MeLCat statewide resource-sharing network and offers patrons free passes to more than 475 Michigan cultural attractions through the Michigan Activity Pass.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1868 by six Ypsilanti women — one of the oldest public libraries in southeastern Michigan
- Flagship Whittaker Road branch is 60,000 sq ft with the district's local history and genealogy collection
- Became an independent district library in 1983 after a successful township-wide voter referendum
- Michigan Activity Pass: free or discounted admission to 475+ state museums, parks and campgrounds
- Open Sundays (1–5 pm) and extended evenings Monday–Thursday until 9 pm
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Ypsilanti District Library cardholders can borrow, stream and research free through Michigan's statewide and local digital collections:
📚 Services
- Public computers, printing, scanning and free Wi-Fi at all branches
- Michigan Activity Pass: free/discounted entry to 475+ museums, parks and campgrounds
- MeLCat interlibrary loan — borrow from hundreds of Michigan libraries
- Bookmobile routes serving neighborhoods Monday–Thursday evenings
- Exam proctoring services
- Library of Things: puzzles, seed library, household items and more
- Meeting and study room reservations
- Library Care Coordination for community social-service referrals
- Curbside and locker pickup
- Homebound delivery for patrons unable to visit in person
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and early-literacy programs
- STEM and DIY/Maker activities for youth and teens
- Summer reading challenge for all ages
- Job-seeker and career-development workshops
- Adult book clubs and author events
- English language learning resources and conversation support
- Senior and accessibility programming
📍 Nearby Libraries in Washtenaw & Wayne Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Ypsilanti · Browse all Michigan libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Ypsilanti District Library founded, and how did it start?
It was founded on May 23, 1868, when six Ypsilanti women opened a subscription reading room with 175 books in the Arcade Building on North Huron Street. Access became free in 1899 after the city began funding operations, and voters created an independent district library in 1983.
What is the Michigan Activity Pass and how do I get one?
The Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) gives library cardholders free or discounted entry to more than 475 museums, state parks and campgrounds across Michigan. Reserve a pass online with your YDL card at the library's website — passes are available one per card per week and are valid for seven days.
How many branches does YDL have and which is the main location?
YDL operates three branches. The 60,000-square-foot Whittaker Road branch at 5577 Whittaker Road is the administrative hub and largest location. The downtown Michigan Avenue branch (229 W Michigan Ave) and the Superior Township branch (1900 Harris Road) round out the system, plus a bookmobile.
What is MeLCat and how does it benefit Ypsilanti cardholders?
MeLCat is Michigan's statewide interlibrary loan catalog. If YDL doesn't own a title, you can request it from hundreds of participating libraries across Michigan and have it delivered to your nearest YDL branch, usually within a week and at no cost.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
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