Clarkston Independence District Library
🏢 Clarkston Independence District Library · Clarkston, Michigan
Clarkston Independence District Library
The Clarkston Independence District Library grew from a 1954 grassroots collection started by the Clarkston Community Women's Club into a 20,000-square-foot community anchor serving 37,614 residents of Independence Township and the City of Clarkston. The library has occupied its current Clarkston Road site since its first permanent building opened there on April 12, 1969.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–9pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–9pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–9pm |
| Thursday | 10am–9pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–6pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–6pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 6495 Clarkston Road, Clarkston, MI 48346
Phone: (248) 625-2212
Website: cidlibrary.org
Plus Code: 86JRPHRR+3F (Clarkston, MI)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Clarkston Independence District Library
The Clarkston Independence District Library began in 1954 when the Clarkston Community Women's Club, led by Janet Rose and Phyllis Stackable, assembled a book collection in a small white building near the former Independence Township Hall — with the first significant children's books donated by Ruth M. G. Shakespeare of the Detroit Public Library. In 1965 the Women's Club transferred governance to Independence Township; under Michigan's Act 269 of the School Code of 1955 the library became an official township department eligible for state aid and corporate grants. The first permanent building — 4,000 square feet — opened at the current 6495 Clarkston Road address on April 12, 1969, landscaped by the Clarkston Farm and Garden Club. Voters approved a $2 million bond in 1988, ground was broken in 1991, and in 1992 the building expanded to 20,000 square feet, with the original children's section preserved within the new structure. In 2012 the library was formally reestablished as the Clarkston Independence District Library, now serving both Independence Township and the City of Clarkston.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1954 by the Clarkston Community Women's Club — community-led from the very first book collection
- First permanent building opened April 12, 1969 at 6495 Clarkston Road; expanded to 20,000 sq ft in 1992
- Reestablished as a District Library in 2012, serving 37,614 residents of Independence Township and the City of Clarkston
- Free notary services for residents and free exam proctoring for Independence Township area students
- Clarkston High School Yearbook Archive and local history resources for genealogy research
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Clarkston Independence District Library cardholders can stream, borrow, and research free:
📚 Services
- Free notary services for local residents (call ahead for availability)
- Free exam proctoring for Independence Township residents
- Tech Toys lending — specialized devices by appointment under staff supervision
- One-on-one technology help sessions (30–60 min, free)
- Room reservations for meetings and small groups
- Printing, scanning, faxing and electronic recycling
- Seed Library and Vault specialty collections
- Interlibrary loan through MeLCat
- Digitization kit (DigiKit) for personal document scanning
🎸 Programs
- Youth storytimes and children's programming
- Teen services and events
- Adult book clubs and programming
- LEGO Club and family maker events
- Fall Book Sale
- Summer reading for all ages
- Community history and genealogy programs
📍 Nearby Libraries in Oakland County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Clarkston · Browse all Michigan libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How and when did the Clarkston Independence District Library start?
The library was founded in 1954 by the Clarkston Community Women's Club, which organized a book collection in a small building near the Independence Township Hall. In 1965 governance passed to Independence Township, making it an official public library department. The first purpose-built building opened at 6495 Clarkston Road on April 12, 1969, and a major expansion to 20,000 square feet was dedicated on March 15, 1992. In 2012 it became the Clarkston Independence District Library.
Does the Clarkston Independence District Library offer notary services?
Yes. The library provides free notary services for residents of Clarkston and Independence Township. Because availability depends on staff schedules, it's best to call ahead at (248) 625-2212 to confirm a notary is on duty before your visit.
Can I take an exam or test at the library?
Yes. The Clarkston Independence District Library offers free exam proctoring for residents of Clarkston and Independence Township — useful for online college exams, professional certification tests, and similar assessments. Contact the library in advance to schedule.
Are Sundays open year-round?
Sunday hours (1–6 pm) are available during the school year. The library is closed on Summer Sundays. For the current Sunday schedule, check the hours page at cidlibrary.org or call (248) 625-2212.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services 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 offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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