Herrick District Library
🏢 Herrick District Library · HOLLAND, Michigan
Herrick District Library
Herrick District Library stands at the cultural heart of Holland, Michigan, a city renowned for its Dutch heritage, Tulip Time Festival, and lakeside charm — operating two locations that together see more checkouts per resident than almost any library system in the state. Built with a 1958 gift from industrialist Ray Herrick and substantially renovated in 2024, the Main Library on South River Avenue continues to grow with the community it has served since its 1960 dedication.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Sunday | 1 PM – 6 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 300 SOUTH RIVER AVENUE, HOLLAND, MI 49423
Phone: (616) 355-3100
Website: herrickdl.org
Plus Code: 86JMQVPR+F9 (HOLLAND, MI)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Herrick District Library
Herrick District Library traces its roots to a township school board collection established in Holland in 1847, but the modern library was born in 1958 when Ray Herrick — founder of Tecumseh Products — donated $300,000 for a dedicated building after librarian Hazel Hayes personally approached him with the need. The library dedicated its River Avenue home on May 7, 1960. In 1997 it became Herrick District Library, expanding to serve Holland city and three surrounding townships — a service area of approximately 109,000 residents. A second location, the North Branch at 155 Riley Street, opened in 2000 and was expanded in 2021. A $5.7 million renovation of the Main Library was substantially completed in 2024 using existing operational funds, modernizing the space while retaining the character of its River Avenue exterior. HDL participates in the Lakeland Library Cooperative, enabling West Michigan resource sharing. More than half of all area residents hold an active library card, and the system circulates 25% more materials per capita than the Michigan average.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Built with a 1958 gift from industrialist Ray Herrick — dedicated May 7, 1960 on South River Avenue
- More than 50% of area residents hold a library card; circulation 25% above the Michigan state average
- $5.7 million Main Library renovation completed in 2024, using existing operational resources
- Groundworks creative studio — home of the paid Maker-in-Residence program supporting artists and makers
- Library of Things spanning Arts/Crafts, Science/Technology, Music, Nature/Outdoors, and Tools/Home Improvement
- Genealogy and Local History collection with dedicated research space on the main level
- Seed Lending Library — borrow seeds for vegetables, herbs, and flowers each growing season
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free Herrick District Library card opens eBooks, streaming, and research tools through Michigan's statewide digital network:
📚 Services
- Library of Things: graphics tablets, gimbals, action cameras, musical instruments, telescopes, microscopes, solar panels, and more
- Groundworks studio — Maker-in-Residence creative residency program
- Genealogy and Local History collection with dedicated research space
- Seed Lending Library
- Meeting and study rooms available at both locations
- Tech help drop-in: Tuesdays 2–4 PM (North Branch); Wednesdays & Thursdays 2–4 PM (Main Library)
- Free computer workstations and Wi-Fi
- Printing, scanning, copying, and faxing
- Curbside pickup available
🎸 Programs
- Baby Storytime and Preschool Storytime at both locations
- Summer Reading Program for all ages
- Maker-in-Residence workshops — eight-week artist residencies open to the public
- Book clubs and adult reading programs
- Teen programs — Pokémon Fan Club, Dungeons and Dragons, and more
- Community events and cultural programming
📍 Nearby Libraries in Ottawa & Allegan Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ray Herrick and why is the library named after him?
Ray Herrick was the founder of Tecumseh Products, a major manufacturer based in Tecumseh, Michigan. In 1958, Holland librarian Hazel Hayes approached him seeking funds for a new dedicated library building. Herrick responded with a $300,000 donation — an extraordinary sum at the time — that made the 1960 building possible. The library was named Herrick Public Library in his honor; it became Herrick District Library in 1997 when it expanded to serve the surrounding townships.
What is the Groundworks studio and Maker-in-Residence program?
Groundworks is Herrick District Library's creative studio, home to the Maker-in-Residence program. The library selects artists, makers, and writers for paid eight-week residencies — providing drop-in studio access and a $1,000 stipend in exchange for at least one hands-on public workshop. Applications are reviewed quarterly; email groundworks@herrickdl.org for details.
What kinds of things can I borrow from the Library of Things?
HDL's Library of Things spans eight categories: Arts/Crafts, Education, Kitchen, Music/Movement/Memory, Nature/Outdoors, Science/Technology, Tools/Home Improvement, and Youth. Items include graphics tablets, gimbals, action cameras, binoculars, telescopes, microscopes, musical instruments, solar panels, and GPS units. Browse the full catalog at herrickdl.org for current availability.
Does Herrick District Library serve nearby townships, or just Holland city?
Since 1997, Herrick District Library has served Holland City plus three surrounding townships — Park Township, Laketown Township, and Holland Township — with a combined service area of approximately 109,000 residents. Both the Main Library (300 S. River Ave.) and the North Branch (155 Riley St.) are accessible with one HDL card. The library also participates in the Lakeland Library Cooperative for expanded West Michigan resource sharing.
📜 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.
🖨 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.
🌱 This library has a seed library. See how library seed libraries work — borrow free seeds, grow them, and save some to return — and find other libraries with a seed library seed libraries by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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