Public Libraries in Bay City, Michigan
Michigan — United States
Public Libraries in Bay City, Michigan
The Bay County Library System serves Bay City with the Wirt central library and the historic 1884 Sage Branch.
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Libraries
Libraries in Bay City
Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library
📍 500 Center Ave., Bay City, MI 48708
📞 989-893-9566 · 🕑 Mon–Thu 10–8, Fri–Sat 9–5, Sun closed (1–5 Sep–May)
Sage Branch Library
📍 100 E. Midland St, Bay City, MI 48706
📞 989-892-8555 · 🕑 Mon–Tue 9–5, Wed–Thu 12–8, Fri 9–5, Sat–Sun closed
The Story of the Library in Bay City
The Sage Branch Library occupies one of Michigan's most historic library buildings. It was constructed as a gift to Bay City by lumber baron Henry W. Sage and held its grand opening on January 16, 1884. Sage commissioned the well-known architectural firm Pratt and Koeppe to design the structure, which is recognized as the oldest continually operated library building in the state of Michigan. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
About Public Libraries in Bay City
Bay City is served by the Bay County Library System, whose central library is the Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library downtown, complemented by the historic Sage Branch Library on the city's west side. Any Bay County resident can get a free library card, which unlocks borrowing of books and materials, access to public computers and Wi-Fi, and the system's e-book and digital collections. A card also connects residents to MeLCat statewide interlibrary loan and the free databases of the Michigan eLibrary.
The Michigan eLibrary (MeL), a service of the Library of Michigan, gives every Michigan resident free online access to full-text articles, e-books, digital images, and research databases. Its MeLCat catalog lets you borrow materials for free from more than 400 participating Michigan libraries, delivered to your local branch.
📚 What You Can Access
- 📚 Books, DVDs, and print materials to borrow with a free Bay County card
- 📱 E-books and audiobooks through the library’s digital collection
- 🌐 Michigan eLibrary (MeL) research databases free to all residents
- 🔄 MeLCat statewide interlibrary loan delivered to your branch
- 🖨️ Public computers, printing, and free Wi-Fi
- 🧒 Children’s and teen programs and materials
🏛️ Quick Facts
| Libraries | 2 (Wirt central + Sage Branch) |
| System | Bay County Library System |
| Central library | 500 Center Ave., Bay City, MI 48708 |
| Phone | 989-893-9566 |
| Sage Library opened | January 16, 1884 |
| Library card | Free to Bay County residents |
| State resource | Michigan eLibrary (MeL) |
Explore more public libraries in Michigan
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Frequently Asked Questions