Parking Lot Construction: As part of our ongoing work to maintain and improve Central Library, the parking lot will be closed for construction from Tuesday, July 28, to Saturday, August 1. Visit the Central Library page for more details. 

Notice of Public Meeting: Kalamazoo Public Library Board of Trustees | July 27 | 5:30 pm | Central Library/Van Deusen Room. The packet of information for the meeting can be found on the library’s website. 

Local History

Women’s History

Towsley, Matilda and Della Pierce

In 1849 Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. In the Kalamazoo area, Matilda Towsley and Della Pierce practiced medicine in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Musical Institute of Anna Jannasch-Shortt

As noted in an earlier article about the influence and entrepreneurial acumen of German immigrants to Kalamazoo from 1870-1914, many Main Street buildings were home to some of Kalamazoo’s most…

Powell, Alma H.

The library has always been a special place for both children and adults looking to plunge into the folds of a gripping story. One such storyteller who could spin an enthralling yarn was Alma H. Powell.

Roberts, Flora

When Flora B. Roberts began her twenty-four year career as chief librarian of the Kalamazoo Public Library in February 1918, she found the library in complete disarray. Her initial lofty goals were to re-catalog the entire 50,000 volume collection...

Seymour, Eliza Coleman

Eliza Coleman Seymour, c. 1875, P-674 Five years after the first white settler arrived to stay in Kalamazoo County, Kalamazoo’s first school was established. The year was 1833, and period…

Smith, Lydia A.

One of the most sensational narratives of 19th century Kalamazoo was written by a woman who had spent four years as a patient in the Michigan Asylum for the Insane…

Snow, Leta G.

From the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame: Leta Snow (1880-1980), Kalamazoo’s “patron saint of fine music” was accomplished at every level of community endeavor and shared the lessons of her…

Spear, Marion R.

In the early years of the last century, a new approach to the treatment of mental and physical illnesses unfolded.

Spradling, Mary Mace

Mary Mace Spradling’s revolutionary act of diversifying the library collection is only one part of her legacy as a librarian.

Stone, Lucinda Hinsdale

The mid and late 1800’s were a transformative time in American history in many ways. Traditional American values were limiting to women who wanted opportunities to expand their horizons. However, there were crusading activists who attempted to...

Taborn, Jeannette

Jeannette Taborn (1925-2016) took her role as a board member for various local organizations seriously. Described as someone with a “quiet and calm manner...”

Towsley, Matilda and Della Pierce

In 1849 Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. In the Kalamazoo area, Matilda Towsley and Della Pierce practiced medicine in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Tyson, Grace

From the final decades of the nineteenth century into the midst of the “roaring twenties,” Grace Tyson, a child actress from Kalamazoo, was to become one of the most popular and respected worldwide stage and vaudeville stars of her time.

Whitten, Anna L.

In 1999, Anna Whitten received the Women of Achievement Award from the YWCA of Kalamazoo. In their brochure for the event, Whitten was described as “one of the busiest public…

Women Cabinetmakers

This interesting paragraph from a letter written by Lucinda Hinsdale Stone points out that pioneer women were often skilled in furnishing their homes.

Women's Labor in the Progressive Era

Prior to the Progressive Era (1896-1917), the role of women as workers in the industrial economy of Kalamazoo was narrowly regulated, but as more labor was needed, women as young as 15 were increasingly used to expand labor pools.