Alma Powell Branch Library (POW)
Northside Neighborhood of Kalamazoo
Mrs. Alma Powell.
News & Updates
- The Request for Proposals for a Space Needs Study for a new Alma Powell Branch is due on April 12. The Director’s Building Advisory Committee will be assessing submissions and will update the public when a vendor is selected.
- The Library is in the process of finalizing the lease of the Northside Association For Community Development property at 308 North Street. Once the lease is signed, the Library will work with NACD on any building modifications necessary for use as a temporary library location.
- The Library continues to work with community partners to assess options for a possible second temporary branch location.
Service Updates
Current Checkouts & Holds
- Holds placed at Alma Powell can be redirected to the KPL location of your choice for pick-up.
- Materials can be returned at any KPL location or the drop box at the Douglass Community Association.
- Due dates for currently overdue materials will not be extended.
Collections
- KPL will prioritize collections for children and teens and popular materials for adults. These smaller, rotating collections will be available via the Mobile Library and at pop-up library locations still being determined. If you have space that you would like to offer for pop-up library services, please email [email protected].
- KPL will continue to develop the Alma Powell Branch collection during the suspension period so the collection will be fresh when the new location is open to the public.
Technology
KPL will offer Northside residents access to tech hubs which will include a variety of services to meet the business and entertainment needs of patrons. The locations will include Chromebooks with access to the Internet, printing and faxing, the latest games on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and virtual reality, music production stations, digitization services, KPL Tech Days, and support from tech professionals for any questions patrons may have along the way! If you have space you would like to offer to host a tech hub, please email [email protected].
Wi-Fi
In partnership with Digital Access for All (DAFA), KPL offered wi-fi hotspots to Northside families through June 2024. All available hotspots donated by DAFA have been checked out. Additional hotspots can be reserved through KPL’s Library of Things (currently a wait list).
Transportation
KPL will provide bus tokens to the Northside community library card holders to access our other locations during the suspension period. The tokens will be available from the KPL Mobile Library and from Bill Caskey and Jermaine Jackson during outreach events beginning the week of February 5, 2024. To obtain tokens, patrons will be asked to show their library card (KPL staff will look up card numbers for KPS OneCard holders). Tokens are limited to 2 per patron each week.
Temporary Location(s)
KPL is currently working with the Northside Community Association, commercial realtors, and vendors to finalize a temporary location(s) for the Alma Powell Branch. Additional details will be shared publicly when available.
Please take our Public Feedback Survey
Joint Statement from KPL and Douglass Community Association
To the patrons of the Douglass Community Association and the Alma Powell Branch of KPL:
Kalamazoo Public Library Board of Trustees (KPL) made the decision to temporarily suspend services at the Alma Powell branch located within the Douglass Community Association (DCA). KPL held two public forums to answer questions regarding this decision and to hear from those who are impacted by this decision.
Both DCA and KPL listened to all comments and input from the community and are working together to see how both entities can safely meet their constituents’ needs.
In the interim, the DCA will continue to provide youth and community services through its other tenants (Boys & Girls Club, the NAACP, The Great Lakes Center for Autism Treatment and Research, Helen Fox Music Academy and Loaves & Fishes).
KPL will provide, in the interim, supplemental services through additional Mobile Library stops, programming in partnership with DCA, the Boys and Girls Club and other library partners, temporary materials collections at partner locations and pop-up computer labs until a plan is finalized.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to DCA by calling 269-385-6185 or KPL at 269-553-7931
Events
The following events are scheduled to serve the Northside community. Please note some events are not open to the public as they are private events scheduled with local partners and are indicated as such. This calendar is updated as more events are scheduled.