The first attempt at creating a library in the Village of Northville occurred in 1888, under the auspices of the YMCA. The organization operated a free reading room for the young men of Northville with books donated by citizens of the community.  In the same year, the Northville Circulating Library Association was formed with 100…

The Ladies’ Library Association was incorporated in 1889 with Mary Lapham selected to serve as its chairperson. Lapham, a daughter of privilege who worked in her father’s bank on Main Street, would donate the first 250 books to the library — the nucleus of its collection — and eventually deed its future building to the…

In 1964, the library moved out of the little church on South Wing Street after 70 some years to take up more spacious — though temporary — quarters in the new city hall across the street was constructed on the site of the former Lapham homestead.

By 1975, the library was again on the move, ironically to the site that uprooted its former headquarters  ­­– the multi-storied mall, later known as the MAGS (Michigan Association of Gift Salesmen) building and now Northville Square. Hired in Northville in 1975 as a Community Services Librarian through a CETA (Comprehensive Education and Training Act)…

The Northville library was no longer administered by Wayne County. It would become part of the Shared Services Agreement of the City of Northville, Charter Township of Northville and Northville Public Schools. Other programs administered through shared services are Northville Parks and Recreation, Northville Youth Assistance and Northville Senior Adult Services.

In 1994, Northville voters approved construction of a new library on the long-reviewed and recommended West Cady Street site to be operated in perpetuity with a dedicated millage. The library would operate as its own entity  – separate from shared services – with an elected board of trustees. After five moves in three decades, the…