Services FAQs

  • General Questions

    Over the Phone Interpretation (OPI) in over 200 languages is available through KDL's Patron Services Department. Please contact Patron Services at 616-784-2007 and say your language to request an interpreter to help answer your library question, or call one of our direct language lines to speak with an interpreter first before connecting with a Patron Services Librarian.

    Direct language lines are available for the following languages:

    Arabic Direct 1-616-303-5471
    Farsi Direct 1-616-303-3557
    French Direct 1-616-300-2569
    Kinyarwanda Direct 1-616-737-0978
    Mandarin Direct 1-616-441-3801
    Spanish Direct 1-616-300-2483
    Swahili Direct 1-616-303-5122
    Vietnamese Direct 1-616-303-3996

    To request On Site Interpretation (OSI) for an in-person library visit, please contact Patron Services at 616-784-2007.

    KDL does not currently offer lamination services at any of its locations.

    Lamination services may be available at printing stores such as FedEx, UPS Stores, Staples or Pak Mail. Please contact these services for more information.

    Eligible individuals and/or institutions residing in Kent, Ionia, or Montcalm counties need to complete and return an application form to the Wyoming Branch in order to start receiving KDL Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC) services. An application may be picked up at any KDL branch, printed online or requested to be mailed.

    Yes, self-service faxing is available for free and doesn't require a library card.  Find the TBS Scanner at any KDL location.

    NOTE: The kiosks do not receive incoming faxes.

    Procedure

    1. Touch the screen to begin.
    2. Select the scanner to use, then select Next.
    3. Select Scan-to-Fax, then select Next.
    4. Accept the Copyright statement.
    5. Select the option needed from the following:
      • US & Canada or International
      • Cover Page or No Cover Page
      • No Confirmation or Email Confirmation
    6. Scan the document(s) and edit as needed.
    7. Enter the email to send the confirmation to (if you select Email Confirmation - otherwise this screen will not appear).
    8. Enter the fax number.
    9. Select I’m Done.

    All KDL branches have WiFi available for the public. There is no log-in or password required, and there's no fee to connect. Please ask KDL staff if you need any assistance.

    The Michigan Electronic Library Catalog, abbreviated MeLCat, is a statewide catalog that allows KDL patrons to borrow interlibrary loan books from library systems throughout Michigan.

    KDL cardholders who request items through MeLCat are able to have these books delivered to their home KDL branch. Delivery time for MeLCat may be two to three weeks. Only printed items (no AV or electronic) items that are available and currently on the shelf at the owning library are available to request through MeLCat.

    KDL has one of the largest popular magazine selections of any library in the state.

    Digital magazines

    We offer digital magazines via our OverDrive services. To get started, download the Libby app (by OverDrive) by searching the app store on your device. ​

    Print magazines

    Alpine Twp. Grandville
    Alto Kelloggsville
    Amy Van Andel Library (Ada) Kentwood (Richard L. Root)
    Byron Twp. Krause Memorial (Rockford)
    Caledonia Twp. Nelson Twp.
    Cascade Twp. Plainfield Twp.
    Comstock Park Spencer Twp.
    East Grand Rapids Tyrone Twp.
    Englehardt (Lowell) Walker
    Gaines Twp. Wyoming

    To verify the availability of a specific title and issue, please call us at (616) 784-2007. You can also place a hold on a specific magazine using the online catalog.

    Librarians at the KDL Service and Meeting Center in Comstock Park, Mich., answer phone calls for all KDL branches, ensuring you receive consistently great service every time you call KDL. This also means that when you're visiting a KDL branch, librarians in the branch are able to focus on serving you.

    Contact Patron Services: