Library Tours

So that the library staff may answer your questions, assist your students, and have available as many resources as possible to fulfill your students’ needs, we ask that you follow these guidelines when visiting the library:

Class/Group Visits to the Library

You must call or email at least two weeks before your intended visit to any Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL) location. Services available include tours, storytimes, or library orientations. Call 988-5400.

Parking at the Main Library

Teachers, teaching assistants, and parents and/or chaperones not arriving by bus should park in the gated lot next to the Main Library. Access to the lot is off Library Street. Bring your parking ticket to the circulation desk inside so it may be validated for one hour of free parking.

Library Cards

Please remind students who have them, to bring their library cards. Students who have never had a card will need to visit a library first and complete a library card application with their parent or guardian (if the student is under 18). A library card can be issued when the application is complete. Please encourage parents to visit a library to apply for their card several days prior to the class's visit to the library. [Card application guidelines]

Check out Limits

The number of items is limited to the amount the individual can carry in their arms without depleting a subject area or collection of one author’s works. (Items should never be placed in bags, backpacks, etc. prior to check-out.)

Planning Assignments

While the GRPL is a popular lending library, the Youth Services staff can assist you in developing a particular assignment.  Three suggestions may prove particularly helpful. First, contact the Youth Services staff at 988-5400 option 5. They can suggest updated reading lists and substitute titles for assignments where subject areas are depleted quickly. Second, by notifying the library of future class assignments, it is possible for us to transfer materials on that topic from other locations so that materials at the library you visit will not be depleted as quickly.  Also, to avoid depleting materials on a particular subject, we suggest that teachers require a variety of sources, eg: magazine, books, CD ROM, etcetera, as opposed to strictly books and/or reference encyclopedias.

Classroom Collections

If you are a teacher in the City of Grand Rapids, the Youth Services Staff at the Main Library  can  prepare a collection of books for use in your K - 8 classroom. A collection of up to 30 items may be checked out for the normal three-week period on the teacher’s library card. Teachers are responsible for picking up the materials at the Youth Services desk and for returning the materials. Requests for this service must be made at least two weeks in advance. To assemble a collection, staff need the teacher’s library card number, subject requested and grade level. If more than 10 titles are desired, a list must be faxed or delivered to the Youth Services Department. If there are no reserves on the items, they may be renewed once.

Grand Rapids History and Special Collections Department

Newspapers, books, maps, photographs and other items related to the history of Grand Rapids and the surrounding area are available in the Local History Department. The department offers various guides to collections to help explain the materials and how to use them and Library staff are happy to assist in developing reading lists and specific projects. However, because materials in the department do not circulate, we appreciate advance notification of class assignments.

Virtual Tour

Take an interactive tour of Grand Rapids Public Library's Main building
(Macromedia Flash 7 and broadband internet required).

Grand Rapids Public Library Locations and Hours