Grattan Township is partnering with Kent District Library to bring services closer to home for residents. Though Grattan Township residents are already KDL patrons, their nearest KDL branch, the Krause Memorial Branch in Rockford, is over ten miles away. The ultimate plan is to add a KDL branch in the township, but in the meantime, residents will be able to access library offerings with an Express Library system, which will be located at the township hall.
With the Express Library, patrons can check out and return items at their convenience. This service will be offered at no extra cost to the township, as it is already part of the KDL service area.
“This is great and welcome news for our residents that are unable to travel to the local KDL branches.” said Grattan Township Trustee Paul Knoerl.
The Express Library will offer added convenience and Grattan Township residents can continue to visit any KDL branch and access all online services, including ebooks, audiobooks, databases and so much more.
“We want to provide the best library service that we can offer to all KDL patrons,” said KDL Executive Director Lance Werner. “We are excited to deliver services where Grattan Township residents live, work and play, making it easier for people to use and enjoy the library.”
Exploration began in earnest during the pandemic, with the township considering refurbishing the long-vacant Grattan Academy Charter School building, near the Grattan Township Office. The township continues to explore options for a building; meanwhile, KDL will provide the Express Library, which is a self-serve system that’s integrated with the 700,000-book KDL collection.
The new service in Grattan Township will be the 21st KDL location in Kent County, 22nd if you include the Bookmobile. KDL added the Amy Van Andel Library in Ada in 2021 and the Kelloggsville Branch, located in Kelloggsville High School, in 2018.
