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Library Information
Book Sale Area
The East Tawas Library has a used book sale area open during regular library hours. The proceeds are used to purchase additional items for the library.
Catalog
The East Tawas Library is one of eight branches of the Iosco-Arenac District Library. The online catalog (HIP) can be found on the District's Web site.
Databases
Michigan residents have access to various electronic databases through the Michigan eLibrary. Proof of Michigan residency is required (library card, driver's license, or state identification card) to access most of the databases from non-library computers. Please visit mel.org to learn more.
Donations
The East Tawas Library accepts donations of used books, magazines, videos, DVDs, audio books, music CDs, and jigsaw puzzles. Materials not circulated are placed in the book sale area or given away depending on condition, the library's collection needs, and space, as decided by library staff. Please check with library staff before donating multi-year collections of magazines.
Gifts/Memorials
We will be happy to work with you to help select books in honor and/or in memory of friends, colleagues, relatives, and loved ones. A book plate will be placed in each book.
Information for the Visually Impaired
The library has a large and increasingly popular collection of large print books, as well as a collection of audio books on CD. The library has information and applications for the Talking Book Program which is available free of charge to qualified applicants. This Web site has more information. We also have information and applications for Newsline, a program that reads newspapers over the telephone to qualified applicants. Click here for more information.
Library Cards
The East Tawas Library and the Iosco-Arenac District Library do NOT have a residency requirement. Proof of current address (driver's license, state ID, piece of recent mail, checkbook, utility bill, etc.) is required. The current address does not have to be in Michigan. Minors under 18 must have their cards signed (in person) by their parent or legal guardian.
Newspapers & Magazines
The library receives the following newspapers:
- The Iosco County News Herald
- The Arenac Independent
- The Northeastern Shopper
- The Bay City Times
- The Detroit Free Press
- The Sunday Chicago Tribune
The library also subscribes to 60 different magazines and regularly receives donations of 40 others.
Public Computers
The library has five Internet computers, including a stand-up express computer, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Local residency is not required, nor is a library card. Internet computers may be used once a day for up to 30 minutes. The stand-up express computer may be used once a day for up to 10 minutes. Additional computer time (during the once a day use) may be allowed if no one is waiting.
Minors under 18 must have a library computer permission form signed in person by their parent or legal guardian. Minors under 12 using the Internet must be accompanies at all times by their parent, legal guardian, or an adult as indicated on the signed permission form.
Printing is 10 cents/page for black and white, and 50 cents/page for color. The use of floppy discs, flash drives, etc. is allowed as long as they are compatible with the library computers. Wireless Internet service (wifi) is available, but a charged battery is required as there are no available electrical outlets.
Series Books / What's Next™
The Kent District Library has a Web site that answers the frequently asked question, "What book is next in this series?" What's Next™: Books in Series Database of Kent District Library.
Staff
In addition to our Librarian, the East Tawas Library is fortunate to have two dedicated volunteers:
Sue Freel, the Monday/Thursday volunteer, has volunteered since 2003. She earned her State of Michigan Library Certification Level 3 (formerly Level V) in 2004.
Patti Casey, the Tuesday volunteer, has volunteered since 2002. She earned her State of Michigan Library Certification Level 3 (formerly Level V) in 2009. She has also worked as a substitute since 2009.
Friends of the East Tawas Library
The City is very fortunate to have an active Friends group which has helped fund improvements to the library and has established a library building fund. The Friends of the East Tawas Library is a very busy group and sponsors several events throughout the community including Booked 4 Lunch, Summer Reading Program for 5th and 6th graders, and the wine festival Tawas Uncork'd and Untap'd. More information about the Friends, including newsletters and a membership application, is available here.
Visitors
East Tawas Library patrons and visitors come from all over the world. Maps in the library vestibule show the hometowns of library patrons and visitors since 2002. They include:
- Over 315 Michigan cities
- All 50 states
- Washington, D.C.
- 5 Canadian Provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec
- 29 Foreign Countries: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, China, Ecuador, England, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Malawi, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen
- McMurdo Station in Antarctica
Given the library's proximity to Lake Huron's Tawas Bay and the East Tawas State Dock, the library also receives patrons and visitors from different ships. They include:
- The 65' schooner Appledore V
- The 634' freighter (merchant vessel) M/V Buffalo
- The 75' (research vessel) R/V Grayling
- The 92' schooner Madeline
- The 35' sloop (sailing yacht) SY Momo
- The 101' (research vessel) R/V Sturgeon