You must have a KPL Resident card to get access to the digital collection (eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMusic, eVideos, etc.).
If you have a library card from another library, please check with them about what digital services they offer.

Residents in our district (see our service area) can sign up for a library card for free.

For more info or to become a patron: Become a Patron — Kalamazoo Public Library (kpl.gov)

Yes! Notices will be sent for overdue KPL items and holds. You may choose to receive these notices via phone, text, or email. If choosing email, you will also receive courtesy notices reminding you of when items are almost due. 

KPL has reciprocal agreements with several other library systems in the area. If your library is on the list, you will need to stop in person to one of our locations to receive a Reciprocal library card from KPL. Bring your home library card and a photo ID. Once you receive your Reciprocal card, you can use it to place up to three holds on your account.

Yes, you can checkout a hotspot from KPL’s Library of Things.

As part of the DAFA program, hotspots are available for eligible KPS students who currently don’t have access to the Internet. To find out if you are on the eligible recipient list, please call Kalamazoo Public Schools at (269) 337-0186.

For more info on DAFA: Digital Access For All — Kalamazoo Public Library (kpl.gov)

KPL’s collection is searchable online through the global search bar at the top of our website, or using the dedicated catalog search box:

1. Get a free Kalamazoo Public Library resident card. 
2. Download Libby, OverDrive’s newest app. 
   • Apple App Store
   • Google Play
   • Windows Store
3. Sign up for an account through Libby using your KPL card and PIN.
4. Browse our collection to find your next read.

Each year we add hundreds of items to our collection from your suggestions. Decisions are made using our board-approved Materials Selection Policy.

The Materials Selection Policy guides the addition of materials for the collection. Each item must meet the needs of the overall collection. Number of similar titles, intended audience, cost, date written or published, etc., are all considered. If you are not a Kalamazoo Public Library District resident, we encourage you to make suggestions at your home library.

Suggest an Item Page 

You may renew library materials by asking a staff member at the checkout desk, by calling (269) 553-7806, or by yourself at a computer with Internet access.

Renew Materials

1. Click the My Account link at the top of the page
2. Enter your Library Card number (no spaces between numbers) and PIN number (typically the last four digits of your telephone number)
3. Locate the material(s) in your Checkouts list(s)
4. Click the Renew Title button below the title(s) you wish to renew

Note: If an item is on reserve for another patron, you will not be able to renew it.

Need Help? Call (269) 553-7800 or visit the Checkout Desk at your library location.

1. Search for the material you wish to borrow. A list may come up showing items in a variety of formats.
2. After you find an item you want, select the Pickup location and click the Place Hold (If you haven’t already logged in, you will be prompted to enter your library card number and PIN.)
3. A new screen shows you the item has been placed on hold for you.

For more info: Reserve an Item — Kalamazoo Public Library (kpl.gov)

Holds are limited to 25 items per cardholder. Reciprocal cardholders may have only three items on hold. 

The Kalamazoo Public Library does not charge overdue fines on materials. However, once something is 10 or more days overdue your account will be blocked from checking out anything else until that material is returned. If something is 30 days or more overdue your account will be billed the replacement cost of the item. When we bill your account, you’ll receive a letter explaining the bill.

If you return the item, the bill will be waived. If you are unable to return the item, or it is damaged, please let us know. Your account will be billed for the replacement cost of the item. If the amount is $10.00 or more, your account balance will have to be under $10.00 before you can check out again.

Loan periods and check out limits vary for different materials. Some items may not be renewed.

The Kalamazoo Public Library does not charge overdue fines on materials.  

You can place a hold on most materials and then pick them up at any location. When the item is returned, it will be set aside for you on our hold shelf. With very popular materials, there may be several people waiting. If the item you are looking for is not in our collection it is possible that we can request it from another library for you. We are part of a service called MelCat (Michigan Electronic Library Catalog) that connects us to hundreds of other libraries in Michigan.

See here for more information. Or ask a staff person. 

The Kalamazoo Public Library does not charge overdue fines on materials. However, once something is 10 or more days overdue your account will be blocked from checking out anything else until that material is returned. If something is 30 days or more overdue your account will be billed the replacement cost of the item. When we bill your account, you’ll receive a letter explaining the bill.

If you return the item, the bill will be waived. If you are unable to return the item, or it is damaged, please let us know. Your account will be billed for the replacement cost of the item. If the amount is $10.00 or more, your account balance will have to be under $10.00 before you can check out again.

You can return your items whether the library is open or closed via a drop box.  

• Materials that have holds for other patrons
• Hot Picks
• Book Club Picks titles
• Mobile hotspots

Loan periods vary by item type. Due dates will be listed on the email or print receipt you receive when checking out. You can also see your check outs and due dates in My Account. Use your library card number (no spaces between numbers) and your PIN (typically the last four digits of your phone number). 

Due dates will be listed on the email or print receipt you receive when checking out. Additionally, you can see all of your account details in the My Account area on our website (kpl.gov). Use your library card number (no spaces between numbers) and your PIN (typically the last four digits of your phone number) to log in. 

You can return KPL materials to any one of our five KPL locations, whether we are open or closed. When returning things, it may take up to 48 hours before these materials are checked in.

For more information, call 269-553-7800.

All of the KPL locations accept your KPL card.
Locations can be found here: Hours by Location — Kalamazoo Public Library (kpl.gov) 

Eligible recipients are those students/households that indicated a need for internet access in a Spring 2020 survey conducted by Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS).  Those students will be notified by KPS prior to the distribution dates by mail and phone. Only one device per street address and residence will be permitted. Hotspots will be checked out to students for the entire school year on their OneCard.

To find out if you are on the eligible recipient list, call Kalamazoo Public Library at (269) 553-7955.

If you are not on the list, but believe you are eligible for a future distribution, please call Kalamazoo Public Schools at (269) 337-1129.

As a convenience, all eligible KPL materials receive three courtesy renewals when the material first becomes due (this excludes some items, such as hot-pick movies or items with holds, which cannot be renewed).

• Eligible materials are automatically renewed on the due date
• If your account includes an email address, you will receive a message confirming what was renewed
• You will also receive a separate email letting you know if any materials were not renewed

Contact Administration Office (Mon.–Fri. 9 am–5 pm)
(269) 553-7823 | Email

• Nonprofit Room Request Form
• Commercial Room Request Form
• Community Rooms Policy

More info

Nonprofit organizations will be charged $25 per two hours. Businesses will be charged $150 for one to four hours or $250 for four to eight hours. Fees include use of available audiovisual equipment.

Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Rooms may be reserved beginning October 1st for January through December of the following year. The completed reservation form and payment of all applicable fees must be received by the library within thirty days of placing the reservation and no later than ten days prior to the meeting date.

Central Library

Eastwood Branch

Oshtemo Branch

Washington Square Branch

They are not available for social events such as showers, birthday parties, weddings, or receptions. A resident of the library district must make the room reservation. 

Any resident of the library district. 

Nonprofits may use any of the rooms; businesses may only use the rooms at Central Library, Eastwood and Oshtemo branch libraries. 

You can do this when you borrow a title. 

1. After you tap Borrow, tap the underlined loan period on the confirmation page (before you tap Borrow again). 
2. Change loan period to 7, 14, or 21 days
3. The loan period you choose becomes your default, but you can change it later when you borrow a title again, if you wish.

1. Find an ebook or audiobook with the Search box at the top or scroll down and tap Explore All Subjects.
   – Audiobooks will have a headphones icon.
2. Tap a book cover, and then tap the Borrow button underneath title. Items are automatically downloaded to the app.
   – If it isn’t available, tap Place a Hold.
3. Choose whether to Go to Shelf, to start reading or listening, or to Keep Browsing to check out more items.

KPL Resident Area borrowers have free access to a wide variety of digital content such as eBooks and eAudiobooks via Hoopla and OverDrive; eVideos via Hoopla; eMagazines via OverDrive; and eMusic via Hoopla and Freegal.

Visit our Digital Catalog to start browsing. 

1. Get a free Kalamazoo Public Library resident card. 
2. Download Libby, OverDrive’s newest app. 
   • Apple App Store
   • Google Play
   • Windows Store
3. Sign up for an account through Libby using your KPL card and PIN.
4. Browse our collection to find your next read.

1. Tap Shelf in the lower right corner of app
2. Tap Open Book to read, or Open Audiobook to listen

Most items can be renewed 3 days before they are due, if no one else is waiting for them. If you would like to renew:

1. On the Shelf of your app, tap Manage Loan
2. Tap Renew Loan and then confirm the action when prompted

Titles will automatically return at the end of checkout period. You may return titles early, though.

1. On the Shelf of your app, tap Manage Loan
2. Tap Return Loan to Library and then confirm the action when prompted

Open a section below to find help with a specific platform.

• Android
• Apple devices
• Ereaders
• Kindle
• Mac
• MP3 players
• Windows

1. Open Libby and from the home screen, click the Libby icon in the center at the bottom of the page.
2. Under Your Libraries, click See Library Cards and then Add Another Card.
3. Select Kalamazoo Public Library.
4. Enter your new library card number.
5. If you would like to transfer your current checkouts and holds from your old card to your new card, call 269-553-7845 or email [email protected]

KPL provides you with 15 new Instant Borrows at the start of each month. Instant titles are always immediately available – with no holds or waiting. 

You can borrow up to 10 Flex titles at any one time.

You can always get another Flex borrow by returning a Flex title you have checked out.

If no copies of a Flex title your library owns are available, you can place a Hold to reserve your place in line.

Checkout periods vary by media type:

• Audiobooks 21 days
• Comics 21 days
• eBooks 21 days
• Movies 72 hours
• Music 7 days
• Television 72 hours

OverDrive purchased RBdigital, therefore the library’s digital magazines are moving from RBdigital to OverDrive and its app, Libby. This includes 3000 magazines from around the world in many languages and popular titles like Us Weekly, The New Yorker, National Geographic, Rolling Stone, and Cook’s Illustrated. 

Freegal® is a free music service from your library. All you need is your library card number and PIN. Freegal offers access to about 15 million songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists, and over 40,000 music videos. In total the collection is comprised of music from over 40,000 labels with music that originates in over 100 countries. There is no software to download, and there are no digital rights management (DRM) restrictions. Access to Freegal is limited to patrons of subscribing libraries. 

Hoopla digital partners with libraries to provide online and mobile access to eBooks, audiobooks, comics, music, movies, and TV. With hoopla and a valid library card, patrons can borrow, instantly stream, and download dynamic content via hoopla’s mobile app or www.hoopladigital.com.  

Libby is a simplified app from OverDrive for borrowing ebooks and MP3 audiobooks. It is available for Android, iOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod touch), and Windows 10. The app does not offer all the functionality of the OverDrive app, but does have the features that are used the most.

Libby features: 

• Read across devices – All your loans, notes, bookmarks, and reading progress sync across your devices.
• Offline access – Download ebooks and audiobooks for offline reading, or stream them to save space.
• Listen in your car – Enjoy audiobooks in your car through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or a Bluetooth connection.
• Send to Kindle – If you prefer reading on your Kindle, Libby can send your library books to it. 

MeLCat is an online catalog service that allows patrons of participating libraries to borrow materials – books, movies, music, and more – from all over Michigan and have them delivered to their home library. 

OverDrive is a free service offered by your library that lets you borrow digital content (like eBooks and Audiobooks) anytime, anywhere. Every OverDrive collection is slightly different because each library or school picks the digital content they want for their users.

All you need to get started with free digital content from your library or school is a library card or student ID.

The explore tab at the top of page contains the links for the Digital Catalog. 

Find eBooks and eAudiobooks via Hoopla and OverDrive; eVideos via Hoopla; eMagazines via OverDrive; and eMusic via Hoopla and Freegal.

Visit our Digital Catalog to start browsing. 

If you changed your library card number or PIN since the last time you borrowed a title from Hoopla or you are getting this error:

“Oops, there seems to be an issue with your Hoopla account“

Please visit your Hoopla library settings and verify your library card and PIN.
If you still have issues, please call 269-553-7800 for support.

If you are getting this error message: “This username / password combination does not exist,” try resetting your password by clicking “Don’t remember your password?” Hoopla will send you a reset link via email if necessary. If you have tried a reset and are still unable to login, contact the library at (269) 553-7800.  

Find employment opportunities here: How to Apply — Kalamazoo Public Library (kpl.gov) 

Find nonprofit employment opportunities here: Nonprofit Employment Opportunities — Kalamazoo Public Library (kpl.gov)  

Fill out this form to request a tour or speaker

If you don’t currently receive PRISM and would like to be added to our mailing list, please email us at [email protected].

This quarterly magazine features information about new services, recommendations and reviews for books, music, and movies, editorials from KPL staff, an events guide, announcements about new innovations or initiatives that will benefit our community and much, much more!

You can also subscribe to our email newsletter here.

The Idea Lab is open to patrons of all ages. 

Alma Powell, Eastwood, and Oshtemo have music stations and the entire Adobe Creative Cloud suite.

The Idea Lab does not accept appointments. Use of equipment and workstations is on a first come first served basis.  

A library card is only required for equipment that uses consumables like 3D printing, Cricut crafting, resin printing, etc. All other services do not require a library card, patrons can use a guest pass to use the computers and software.

3D print orders can be submitted here.

A tech intern will be there to help you. Only designated library staff will have hands-on access to the 3D printer and be authorized to operate it.

All services in the Idea Lab are free of charge. Some services like 3D printing have limits on amount of material used per patron. 

3D Printer Policy

Central Library, third floor
315 S. Rose St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 553-7826 | Contact
Directions, Parking

A tech intern will be available to help patrons get started with projects and to answer any basic questions they may have along the way! 

Info on getting a library card found here: Become a Patron — Kalamazoo Public Library (kpl.gov) 

1. Click the “Kalamazoo Public Library” logo in the top left corner to bring you to homepage.
2. Type in your card number and pin in the input fields on the right side of page, then click Submit.  

Fees may be paid online in the “My Account” area or paid in person at any library location at the circulation desk or check-out kiosk.

To update your contact information or home library, please call 269-553-7800. 

Library accounts are valid for three years and can be renewed by visiting any KPL location. 

There’s a Forgot your PIN? link on the Login page. Click the link, enter your library card number (barcode), and then click Send. You’ll get an email with instructions on how to change your PIN. To use this feature, you need to have already registered. If you haven’t already registered, or the library doesn’t have an email address on file for you, contact your library branch to reset your PIN. 

To report a lost or stolen card, please contact the library at 269-553-7800.  

Your library PIN is the four-digit number chosen at the time your library card was issued. KPL uses the last four digits of the phone number that was given when the card was issued, unless another four-digit number was chosen.

If you’ve forgotten your PIN or would like to change it, you can reset it here:  Reset PIN — Kalamazoo Public Library (kpl.gov)

Info on this can be found here: Become a Patron — Kalamazoo Public Library 

All of the KPL locations accept your KPL card.
Locations can be found here: Hours by Location — Kalamazoo Public Library (kpl.gov) 

Friends of KPL – Membership Form

Fill out this form to request a tour or speaker

Info on contacting a branch can be found here: Contact a KPL Branch — Kalamazoo Public Library 

Find directions by location here: Directions by Location  

Each year we add hundreds of items to our collection from your suggestions. Decisions are made using our board-approved Materials Selection Policy.

The Materials Selection Policy guides the addition of materials for the collection. Each item must meet the needs of the overall collection. Number of similar titles, intended audience, cost, date written or published, etc., are all considered. If you are not a Kalamazoo Public Library District resident, we encourage you to make suggestions at your home library.

Suggest an Item Page 

If you don’t currently receive PRISM and would like to be added to our mailing list, please email us at [email protected].

This quarterly magazine features information about new services, recommendations and reviews for books, music, and movies, editorials from KPL staff, an events guide, announcements about new innovations or initiatives that will benefit our community and much, much more!

You can also subscribe to our email newsletter here.

Find hours by location here: Location Hours

(269)-553-7800: You will be presented with a menu which includes the option to choose a location. 

KPL’s policies can be found here: Kalamazoo Public Library Policy Page 

Info on this can be found here: Become a Patron — Kalamazoo Public Library 

All of the KPL locations accept your KPL card.
Locations can be found here: Hours by Location — Kalamazoo Public Library (kpl.gov) 

Please see our Tax Information page for tax forms distributed at KPL, online links to state and federal tax forms, and details about free tax preparation in Kalamazoo County.

Each year we add hundreds of items to our collection from your suggestions. Decisions are made using our board-approved Materials Selection Policy.

The Materials Selection Policy guides the addition of materials for the collection. Each item must meet the needs of the overall collection. Number of similar titles, intended audience, cost, date written or published, etc., are all considered. If you are not a Kalamazoo Public Library District resident, we encourage you to make suggestions at your home library.

Suggest an Item Page 

You can request an item here.

If you don’t currently receive PRISM and would like to be added to our mailing list, please email us at [email protected].

This quarterly magazine features information about new services, recommendations and reviews for books, music, and movies, editorials from KPL staff, an events guide, announcements about new innovations or initiatives that will benefit our community and much, much more!

You can also subscribe to our email newsletter here.

View our list of databases

You can find Genealogy links here.

You can find Local History links here.

The Idea Lab is open to patrons of all ages. 

Alma Powell, Eastwood, and Oshtemo have music stations and the entire Adobe Creative Cloud suite.

The Idea Lab does not accept appointments. Use of equipment and workstations is on a first come first served basis.  

No, you may print as a guest.  

A library card is only required for equipment that uses consumables like 3D printing, Cricut crafting, resin printing, etc. All other services do not require a library card, patrons can use a guest pass to use the computers and software.

KPL provides free access to the Internet via a high speed wireless network (KPLWiFi) at all KPL locations during open hours. Patrons may also borrow wireless hotspots for use outside the library. 

To connect to KPL WiFi you will need a wireless enabled laptop, tablet or mobile device. All visitors may use KPL WiFi free of charge. No encryption settings, user names, or passwords are required. However, you must agree to abide by the library’s Internet and Computer Use Policy to connect. After you click the I Agree button (bottom of the page), you will be taken to Kalamazoo Public Library’s website. 

Please note: Keep track of the username/card number you enter when you submit your print job. You’ll need this to release your print job.

From your web browser:
You will want to use our mobile page for printing wirelessly, you can print PDF and most other file types: Mobile Printing

By email:
To print an email message or attachment, simply forward your email to:

B&W Printer:tbs-kpl- [email protected]

Color Printer: [email protected]

You will be sent release instructions which can be used to retrieve your printouts.

Print jobs will be stored for printing in person for 24 hours. After 24 hours, you have to reupload to be able to print. 

Patrons unable to travel to the Kalamazoo Public Library may still borrow materials from the library. Library staff will help the patron find materials including books, CDs and DVDs, then mail them to the patron’s home with a free return envelope. Fill out the ViaMail signup form to apply. 

3D print orders can be submitted here.

A tech intern will be there to help you. Only designated library staff will have hands-on access to the 3D printer and be authorized to operate it.

• Step 1: Browse our catalog or call (269) 553-7800 to place a hold on items you wish to check out, and indicate which location you wish to pick them up at.
• Step 2: KPL will send you an email, text, or phone call, when your items are available for pick-up.
• Step 3: When you arrive for pick-up, text, or call the number posted on the sign and follow the directions. Have your library card handy, we will ask for the last 4 numbers of your account. A KPL staff person will deliver your checkouts contact-free to your car or via walk-up. 

The notary services are free of charge. 

All services in the Idea Lab are free of charge. Some services like 3D printing have limits on amount of material used per patron. 

3D Printer Policy

Notary services are available at Central Library when the requisite staff are available. Call the Reference Desk to inquire regarding staff availability in advance. (269-553-7842) 

Central Library, third floor
315 S. Rose St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 553-7826 | Contact
Directions, Parking

A tech intern will be available to help patrons get started with projects and to answer any basic questions they may have along the way! 

The Idea Lab is open to patrons of all ages. 

Alma Powell, Eastwood, and Oshtemo have music stations and the entire Adobe Creative Cloud suite.

The Idea Lab does not accept appointments. Use of equipment and workstations is on a first come first served basis.  

No, you may print as a guest.  

A library card is only required for equipment that uses consumables like 3D printing, Cricut crafting, resin printing, etc. All other services do not require a library card, patrons can use a guest pass to use the computers and software.

KPL provides free access to the Internet via a high speed wireless network (KPLWiFi) at all KPL locations during open hours. Patrons may also borrow wireless hotspots for use outside the library. 

Yes, you can checkout a hotspot from KPL’s Library of Things.

As part of the DAFA program, hotspots are available for eligible KPS students who currently don’t have access to the Internet. To find out if you are on the eligible recipient list, please call Kalamazoo Public Schools at (269) 337-0186.

For more info on DAFA: Digital Access For All — Kalamazoo Public Library (kpl.gov)

The library’s computers are available to patrons with a valid Kalamazoo Public Library card or a guest pass. To use one of these computers, enter the number on the back of your library card (without spaces) at the log-in screen. Check with staff if you are unsure about this information. You must login with your own library card or a guest pass when using a library computer.

The Library’s computer tracking program allows each KPL cardholder two (2) hours of computer use each day. Visitors who are ineligible for a KPL card may request one 30-minute guest pass per day. Time extensions may be allowed upon request, based on PC availability.

The program keeps track of the minutes you use on any of the Library’s computers, at any library location. You may divide your allotted time among different computers at any of the library’s locations throughout a day.

If you are observed using a computer that is not running the time-tracking software, you will be asked to properly log in using your library card or guest pass.

Please note: Keep track of the username/card number you enter when you submit your print job. You’ll need this to release your print job.

From your web browser:
You will want to use our mobile page for printing wirelessly, you can print PDF and most other file types: Mobile Printing

By email:
To print an email message or attachment, simply forward your email to:

B&W Printer:tbs-kpl- [email protected]

Color Printer: [email protected]

You will be sent release instructions which can be used to retrieve your printouts.

Print jobs will be stored for printing in person for 24 hours. After 24 hours, you have to reupload to be able to print. 

You can reserve a public computer by calling 269-553-7800, or in person with your Library account. 

3D print orders can be submitted here.

A tech intern will be there to help you. Only designated library staff will have hands-on access to the 3D printer and be authorized to operate it.

• Printing copying is 5 cents per page for black-and-white print-outs and 25 cents per page for color.
• Scanning to a flash drive or email is free of charge. Library patrons may use the Envisionware Document Station located in the Copy Center (Central Library, 2nd floor behind the Reference Desk).
• Sending a fax is a free service available at all KPL locations during normal open hours.

All KPL branches have computers that are available for public use at no cost. If you don’t have a library card, guest passes for the computers are always available. 

All of KPL’s public-use computers run on Windows 7 and have the following programs:

• Internet Explorer
• Firefox
• Chrome
• Microsoft Office:
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Publisher
  • Word
  • Access
• Windows Media Player
• Adobe Reader
• Calculator
• Link to Grand Rapids Press
• Link to Muskegon Chronicle Newspaper
• Link to Social Security
• Gimp 2
• VLC Media
• CyberLink Power 2 Go
• Snipping Tool
• Skype

Computer Use Procedure 

All services in the Idea Lab are free of charge. Some services like 3D printing have limits on amount of material used per patron. 

3D Printer Policy

Central Library, third floor
315 S. Rose St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 553-7826 | Contact
Directions, Parking

Eligible recipients are those students/households that indicated a need for internet access in a Spring 2020 survey conducted by Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS).  Those students will be notified by KPS prior to the distribution dates by mail and phone. Only one device per street address and residence will be permitted. Hotspots will be checked out to students for the entire school year on their OneCard.

To find out if you are on the eligible recipient list, call Kalamazoo Public Library at (269) 553-7955.

If you are not on the list, but believe you are eligible for a future distribution, please call Kalamazoo Public Schools at (269) 337-1129.

A tech intern will be available to help patrons get started with projects and to answer any basic questions they may have along the way! 

Financial Gifts | Planned Gifts

Support the Library — Kalamazoo Public Library (kpl.gov)

Find info on volunteering here.