Augusta-Ross Township District Library
🏢 McKay-Dole Library · Augusta, Michigan
Augusta-Ross Township District Library
Augusta-Ross Township District Library — known locally as the McKay-Dole Library — has served the Gull Lake shore community since a group of 24 Augusta women pooled 140 books in 1876.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 105 SOUTH WEBSTER STREET, AUGUSTA, MI 49012
Phone: (269) 731-4000
Website: mckaylibrary.org
Plus Code: 86JP8JPX+48 (AUGUSTA, MI)
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📖 About Augusta-Ross Township District Library
The library's story begins in 1876 when 24 women in Augusta, Michigan, decided to share their love of reading with neighbors, pooling 140 books in a residential building on Canal Street. From that volunteer-driven beginning, the collection grew to more than 128,000 items. In 1967 George C. McKay made a landmark gift to the village: a dedicated library building situated in the village park, donated in honor of his wife, Ella Dole-McKay. That gift gave the library its lasting dual name, McKay-Dole Library, though it operates officially as the Augusta-Ross Township District Library. Today the library serves residents of the Village of Augusta, Ross Township, and the Gull Lake School District within Bedford Township. Wednesday evening hours (until 7:00 PM) extend access for working families and students. The library offers free 24-hour Wi-Fi, public computers, interlibrary loan through the statewide MeLCat system, and access to the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) suite of databases. Library cards are free for residents of the service area.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1876 by 24 Augusta women with 140 books — one of Kalamazoo County's oldest library traditions
- 1967 landmark building: donated by George C. McKay in honor of his wife Ella Dole-McKay and situated in the village park
- 128,000+ items: books, audiobooks, large-print, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and downloadable eBooks
- Wednesday evening hours until 7:00 PM for after-work and student access
- Free 24-hour Wi-Fi accessible even outside building hours
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your McKay-Dole Library card gives you free access to Michigan's statewide digital resources:
📚 Services
- Free library cards for Augusta/Ross Township/Gull Lake School District residents
- Four public computer terminals (1-hour sessions)
- Free Wi-Fi (available 24 hours daily)
- Interlibrary loan via MeLCat statewide system
- Black-and-white and color photocopying & printing
- Laminating assistance
- Downloadable eBooks & audiobooks (Libby, hoopla)
🎸 Programs
- Flu Shot Clinic (community health partnership)
- Outdoor Tai Chi (Thursdays at 11 AM in the village park)
- Children's story time and youth programming
- Community events
📍 Nearby Libraries in Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the library called both 'McKay-Dole Library' and 'Augusta-Ross Township District Library'?
The official legal name is Augusta-Ross Township District Library, reflecting the governmental district it serves (Augusta Village, Ross Township, and Gull Lake School District). The popular name McKay-Dole Library honors the 1967 gift of the current building by George C. McKay, who donated it in memory of his wife, Ella Dole-McKay.
When was the McKay-Dole Library founded?
The library traces its origins to 1876, when 24 Augusta women organized a book-sharing club with 140 volumes housed in a Canal Street residence. That volunteer library grew over nearly a century into today's collection of more than 128,000 items.
Does the library have evening hours?
Yes. Wednesday hours run 10:00 AM–7:00 PM, providing an evening option for residents who cannot visit during standard daytime hours. Monday and Tuesday are open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; Thursday and Friday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM–2:00 PM.
How can I access Michigan eLibrary (MeL) resources from home?
Visit mel.org and log in with your Augusta-Ross Township District Library card number. MeL provides free statewide access to research databases, full-text articles, homework help, and test-prep resources — available from any device, any time.
🖨 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.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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