About OSH
Oshtemo Neighborhood of Kalamazoo
Children’s and Teen Areas
The Children’s Area at the Oshtemo Branch offers toys, art experiences, and computers for babies, toddlers, and children. With plenty of seating for youth and adults, the Children’s Area is a popular place to relax and enjoy the library together. From the puppet stage to the chalk wall to the latest chapter book, there’s always something new to check out at the Oshtemo Branch. Children and caregivers can also borrow a Science Kit or an iPad to use in the building. Our collection of “All In” Kits for take home offers resources for discussing bias and difference with young children. For storytimes, book clubs, and event information, please check out the events calendar.
The Teen Area at the Oshtemo Branch offers books, art experiences, and activities just for middle and high schoolers. Find a new favorite on a display or browse our large collection of teen fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels. Teens can find quiet space to read, study, orwork on a group project. Teens can borrow a Chromebook or iPad for use in the building. For activities for teens, including crafts, book clubs, and video gaming, please check out the events calendar.
Computer and Wi-Fi
The Oshtemo Branch Library is the place to go if you need access to the Internet. Not only will you find multiple computers with Internet access, but also high-speed Wi-Fi! More information: Public Computers.
Meeting Room — OSH Community
The Oshtemo Branch Community Room can be reserved for both Nonprofit Organization and Business use.
A library district resident or property owner must make the room reservation.
- Contact: Administration Office (Mon–Fri 9 am–5 pm), (269) 553-7823
- Fee: Nonprofit Organization Use – $25 per two-hour block of time; Business Use – $150 for one to four hours; $250 for four to eight hours
- Maximum Seating: 90 persons theater style
- Parking: Oshtemo Branch Parking Lot
- Accessibility: Ramped
- Equipment Available: Please call for available equipment
- More Info on the Oshtemo Community Room
- Meeting Rooms
- Meeting Rooms Policy
Printing • Copying • Faxing • Scanning
Need to send a fax? Copy that important document? Scan receipts for your taxes? The Oshtemo Branch Library can help! Faxing and scanning are totally FREE of charge. Copying costs depend on black & white or color print. Staff is happy to help. For more information, click here.
Branch Art
“The Oshtemo library is just so beautiful,” Hatch said, about the castle-inspired structure. “I just think they did a wonderful job when they designed this. It’s a little fantasy building … I’ve been painting brides for some odd reason and she just needed to be there.”
From the Artist Statement:
The Storybook Bride is a slightly altered view of one of my favorite places, the library. In the township of Oshtemo, outside of Kalamazoo, Michigan, my branch looks like a Postmodern fairytale castle. The enchanting structure achieve’s the architect’s stated goal (…to create a facility that appears vast, ancient, and romantic … a mythical walled complex). When other cities were closing libraries, Kalamazoo was building more, winning the 2002, Gale/Library Journal National Library of the Year award.
Kalamazoo artist, Mary Hatch, created the 28×30 oil on canvas titled “Storybook Bride” in 2003, for a book-themed show at the Hoorn-Ashby Gallery in New York City. The painting hangs just inside the front doors of the Oshtemo Branch Library. Storybook Bride” shows a twirling bride just outside the Branch entrance. In a Kalamazoo Gazette article from 2003, Hatch shared the following about the piece.