About The Library
The Roscommon Area District Library, located at 106 Lake St., P.O. Box 888, Roscommon, MI, provides free services to all people living in the library's district, which includes Gerrish, Higgins and Lyon Townships.
The library offers more than 35,000 items including books, movies magazines, CD's, and audio books. Library patrons can also enjoy downloadable audiobooks, eBooks & streaming video through the Great Lakes Digital Library. We also offer free coffee in the morning donated by our local Family Fare.
Thanks to interlibrary loans, more than 400,000 items are available for your usage. Thousands of people enjoy access to our online resources and the Internet through the Library’s high speed connection, enjoy state-of-the-art WiFi service, or participate in or attend one of the library’s many cultural, educational, and entertaining events.
The Roscommon Area District Library has a friendly, professional, and eager staff! To see a full list of our events and activities click here or call us at (989) 281-1305.
Our Mission Statement
The mission of the Roscommon Area District Library is to provide to all people free access to informational, educational, recreational, and aesthetic resources to promote community enrichment in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
How Libraries Are Funded
Libraries in Michigan receive funding in several different ways. The main source of revenue comes from local property taxes. The library was approved by the voters for 0.75 for 15 years. The second largest source of revenue comes from local penal fines such as speeding tickets. The rest include a variety of sources such as private donations, State Aid, grants, fees for copying, and fines for late books.
Library History
The Roscommon Area District Library separated from the school and was established on January 27, 2010. On June 18, 2009 the District Library Agreement committee was formed and started researching how to split the libraries, and hired an attorney to help with the paperwork. With advice from Superiorland Library Cooperative, the process was started. A District Library Board Committee was formed with two representatives from each township, and any concerned citizens who would be willing to work on the project. The committee consisted of 7-11 people who met every Thursday from July 2009-October 2009. They submitted the application to the State Librarian to become a district library in January 2010. On January 22, 2010 the Roscommon Area District Library Board was formed. On February 22, 2010, the bylaws were approved. On March 22, 2010, the Millage Campaign Committee was formed. They went to public meetings to inform people about the new public library. On May 4, 2010 the millage passed. On July 14, 2010 we started to pack up the books, disassemble the shelves and move to our rented building on 241 E. Federal Highway. On August 21, 2010 the new Roscommon Area District Library opened in a rented space.
The Roscommon Area District Library Board completed the construction of a new library and opened its doors on March 4, 2014. The Library Board was approved for a loan of up to $1,800,000 for the new building from the United States Department of Agriculture. The Roscommon Downtown Development Authority made available land and additional funds for a library building. The Grow With Us Committee raised funds with a capital campaign seeking donations and grants to raise money for the new building. RADL partnered with the Roscommon County Community Foundation who has two accounts for people to donate to the new library. Local architect Tom O’Brien designed the architectural plans for the new building and all aspects of the progress of the new building for the Board. JBS Contracting was the general contractor and hired many local subcontractors.