Mamie L. Yarbrough Benton Harbor Public Library
🏢 Benton Harbor Public Library · Benton Harbor, Michigan
Mamie L. Yarbrough Benton Harbor Public Library
Legally established in 1899 and opened in its original Carnegie-funded building in 1903, the Benton Harbor Public Library has served southwest Michigan for more than 125 years — and in June 2026 was renamed the Mamie L. Yarbrough Benton Harbor Public Library in honor of the Berrien County Commissioner who served on the library board for 26 years, including over a decade as board president.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 11am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 11am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–3pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 213 East Wall Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Phone: (269) 926-6139
Website: bentonharborlibrary.com
Plus Code: 86JM4G8W+6P (Benton Harbor, MI)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Mamie L. Yarbrough Benton Harbor Public Library
The Mamie L. Yarbrough Benton Harbor Public Library is the public library of Benton Harbor and Benton Charter Township in Berrien County, serving more than 20,000 residents in southwest Michigan near Lake Michigan. The library was legally established in 1899, and its first Carnegie Foundation-funded building opened in 1903. The current building at 213 East Wall Street was opened in April 1968. In June 2026 the library was renamed to honor Mamie L. Yarbrough, a longtime Berrien County Commissioner who devoted 26 years to the library board — more than a decade as board president — and championed expanded access to technology, learning programs and community resources. The collection exceeds 100,000 books, DVDs, periodicals and other items, and patrons can access Libby, hoopla, Kanopy, MeLCat and Transparent Language along with a broad reference department and an auditorium for community events. The library belongs to the Southwestern Michigan Library Cooperative and participates in the Michigan MILibrary statewide card program.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Established 1899 and serving the Benton Harbor community for more than 125 years
- Carnegie Foundation building opened 1903; current building opened April 1968
- Renamed June 2026 for Mamie L. Yarbrough, 26-year board member and champion of library access in Berrien County
- Auditorium available for community events and group activities
- MeLCat statewide courier and MILibrary card — borrow from libraries across Michigan with your Benton Harbor card
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Benton Harbor cardholders can borrow, stream and learn free through the library's digital services and Michigan's statewide resources:
📚 Services
- Public computers, printing, copying and free Wi-Fi
- Auditorium for community events, meetings and group activities
- MeLCat interlibrary loan — request items from libraries across Michigan
- MILibrary statewide reciprocal card program
- Cypress Resume for professional resume creation
- Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) — cardholders get discounted admission to cultural venues
- Reference department with over 100,000-item collection
- Membership in Southwestern Michigan Library Cooperative
🎸 Programs
- Junior programs and sensory hours for children
- Storytimes
- Adult workshops and community events
- Summer reading
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southwest Michigan
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Benton Harbor · Browse all Michigan libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Benton Harbor Public Library renamed in 2026?
In June 2026 the library was officially renamed the Mamie L. Yarbrough Benton Harbor Public Library in honor of Mamie L. Yarbrough, a Berrien County Commissioner who served on the library's board of directors for 26 years, more than a decade of which she served as board president. She was recognized for her decades of advocacy for expanded technology access, learning programs and community services at the library.
How old is the Benton Harbor Public Library, and when did the current building open?
The library was legally established in 1899, making it more than 125 years old. Its first building, funded by the Carnegie Foundation, opened in 1903. The current building at 213 East Wall Street opened in April 1968 and serves residents of both the City of Benton Harbor and Benton Charter Township.
What digital resources can I access with a Benton Harbor library card?
Cardholders can borrow eBooks and audiobooks through Libby, stream movies and music through hoopla and Kanopy, learn languages through Transparent Language, and access Michigan's statewide MeL (Michigan eLibrary) databases. The library also participates in MeLCat, allowing you to request items from libraries across Michigan.
Does the library have an auditorium, and how can I reserve it?
Yes — the Benton Harbor Public Library has an auditorium available for group activities and community events. Contact the library directly at (269) 926-6139 or through the reservation form at bentonharborlibrary.com to inquire about availability and booking.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes 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.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.