About Our Ferndale Library

Accomplishments, Resources, & Highlights

The Ferndale Library has been a pillar of the community since 1930.

Since the passage of the most recent millage a full decade ago, the library has been able to significantly expand the number of events, programs, and resources that it offers to the near 20,000 residents of our city. We hope that you enjoy reading through this page highlighting some of our favorite things about the Ferndale Library and what makes it so special.

Since 2016, the library has had over one million visits.

You can find a complete history of the library from 1930 through the mid-2000’s on its website.

Scroll what the library has to offer and bring home the fun.

  • Library of Things

    • Tools

    • Instruments

    • Crafting Equipment

    • Sports Equipment

    • Technical Materials

    • and more

  • Digital Resources and Beyond

    • Download Audiobooks (Hoopla)

    • Download eBooks (Libby)

    • Stream movies (Kanopy)

    • Seed Library

    • Michigan Activity Pass

    • and more

  • Tabletop Games, Kits, and Puzzles

    • Board Games (youth and adult)

    • RPG Books

    • Puzzles

    • Youth Stem Kits

    • and more

  • Audio Media

    • Vinyl Records

    • Children’s CDs

    • Local Musician CDs

    • All genres of CDs

    • Audio Books

  • TV and Visual Media

    • Television and Movie Collection

    • International Cinema and Anime Collection

    • Children’s Media

    • Video Games

    • and more

  • Free Seed Garden Library

    • Vegetable and Fruit Seeds

    • Flower Seeds

    • Native Pollinator Seeds

    • Local Resource Gardening Guides

    • Local Garden Club Literature

MORE THAN 150,000 BOOKS CIRCULATED IN 2025

“The value of a public library to a community cannot be overstated. It’s so much more than books… It’s meeting others from the community at the many events the library sponsors and making new friends. It’s a quiet place to read, study, reflect, learn; a place to do yoga, or learn a new craft. It's community. It’s fun. It's a refuge.”

— Ann Warner

Former Library Board Member, 2005-2011, Board President, 2010-2011

OVER 9,000 ITEMS ADDED TO INVENTORY IN 2025

Staff and Facility

Each staff member records an average of roughly 15,000 interactions per year. This includes but is not limited to library card sign-ups, research questions, tech help, reading recommendations, providing information about our community, and more. Staff is also credited with planning and facilitating all events and programming, including the always-popular all ages Summer Reading Challenge - a great way to prevent summer reading loss for youth and bolster literacy within our community.

There are three primary service desks: Circulation (check-outs, library cards), Adult Reference (near public computers), Youth Reference (Kids Corner).

The main area of the library boasts many offerings, including a working fireplace with comfortable chairs, private work/office spaces for collaboration, and an isolated room for enjoying current print media periodicals. The Kids Corner is equipped with sound proofing, ensuring the rest of the library noise remains at a low decibel while also allowing families to fully enjoy the play space, read-a-loud groups, or educational kits at the group tables.

The library is not an exclusive club, it is open to all. Staff consistently greats with a smile, offering friendly and responsive customer service. Each staff member is unique in their knowledge and interests, providing a well rounded knowledge readily shared with any curious visitor. Year in and year out, everyone is welcome.

Almost 15,000 in program attendance in 2025.

The Ferndale Library offers unique programs, gatherings, & events for all ages.

Recurring Programs for Youth

  • Baby Storytime

  • Family Storytime

  • Reading Rainbow Book Club

  • Family Zine Workshop

  • Middle School Board Game Club

  • Middle-Grade Tabletop RPG Group

  • Ongoing passive programs:

    • Story Trail at Martin Road Park

    • 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Recurring Programs for Adults

  • Romance Book Club

  • Writers Group

  • Film Club

  • Sci-Fi Book Club

  • Board Game Club

  • Graphic Novel Book Club

  • Fiber Arts Club

  • Album Club

  • Thursday Afternoon Book Club

  • Ferndale Project Book Club

All Ages Programming

  • Monthly Concerts

  • Art Exhibitions

  • Summer Reading Challenge

    • Community Kickoff Party

    • Summer Reading Finale

  • Tiny Art!

The full calendar of events can be found on the library’s website, including several special events inspired by their Summer Reading Theme, ‘Unearth A Story.’

A funded library brings business to the neighborhood.

Ferndale Library partners with treasured local organizations, bringing not just joy but economic foot traffic to the independent businesses of our city. This also includes building meaningful partnerships to host off-site library programs and present special events: ranging from concerts to art exhibitions to hobby gatherings and more.

These events provide access for community members of all ages to meet new people, socialize with neighbors, and engage with local shops.

The library hosts a pollinator garden open to all.

Election Day

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 – All eligible Ferndale voters can participate. 

Find more information about elections and registration here: https://www.ferndalemi.gov/services/voting-in-ferndale