Our Mission
The Mission of the Livonia Public Library is to provide for the educational, informational, and recreational needs of the community through its materials, programs, and services.
Whether you are conducting research for a school project, need computer access, a test proctored or a book or movie to enjoy at home—one of our four libraries can help to fill that need.
Our Libraries
The Livonia Public Library consists of four branches — Alfred Noble, Carl Sandburg, Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center, and Vest Pocket. The Library Director, Toni LaPorte, and the Library Commission administer all four branches.
Library Commission
Library Commission
Members of the Livonia Library Commission are appointed by the Mayor of Livonia. The Library Commission is an advisory group which advises the Mayor and the Library Director on matters affecting the Livonia Public Library and its card holders.
The term of office for each Commissioner is three years, appointed until October 17 of indicated year. The current roster includes:
| Chair | Carrie Budzinski | 2023 |
| Treasurer | Kacie McCullough | 2023 |
| Carol Bagazinski | 2025 | |
| Mary Morrison | 2024 | |
| David Parr | 2023 | |
| Ex-officio | Toni LaPorte, Library Director |
The Library Commission meetings are open to the public. Commission meets the third or fourth Monday of the month at 4 pm:
| 2023 Dates | |
|---|---|
| Monday, January 23 | Civic Center Library |
| Monday, February 27 | Civic Center Library |
| Monday, March 27 | Carl Sandburg Library |
| Monday, April 24 | Civic Center Library |
| Monday, May 22 | Civic Center Library |
| Monday, June 26 | Civic Center Library |
| Monday, July 24 | Civic Center Library |
| Monday, August 28 | Carl Sandburg Library |
| Monday, September 25 | Civic Center Library |
| Monday, October 23 | Civic Center Library |
| Monday, November 27 | Carl Sandburg Library |
| Monday, December 18 | Civic Center Library |
Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center Library
Department Heads:
Library Director: Toni LaPorte
Circulation & Automation: Donna Winter
Adult Services: Paige Plant
Children’s Services: Karen Smith
Questions?
Reference Desk: (734) 466-2490
Juvenile Reference Desk: (734) 466-2493
Circulation Desk: (734) 466-2491
Browsing Desk (for fiction and audio/visual): (734) 466-2197
Meeting Room Info: 734-466-2452
Fax: (734) 421-4860
Facts and Figures
Architect: Kamp-DiComo Associates
Building Area: 64,000 square feet (including Conference Wing and Atrium)
Atrium Artwork: “Nebulas Terraqueous” by James Gilbert. Composition: three panels of woven aluminum stripping and rayon thread.
Auditorium Capacity: 300 people
Meeting Rooms Capacity: 16-150 people
Circulation (number of items checked out): 379,912 items in 2021
eBook Circulation: 109,577 items in 2021
Total number of items the library owns: 150,914
Total number of items at all branches: 193,055
Registered users: 23,846
Total number of users at all branches: 26,537
History
Livonia Civic Center Library opened August 1, 1988. Since the Livonia Libraries were on the cutting edge of technology, and were using computerized catalogs since 1985, Civic Center Library opened without ever having the traditional card catalog. Our holdings were accessible by computer from the very first day.
On August 28, 2017, the Civic Center Library was renamed The Robert & Janet Bennett Civic Center Library, in honor of the Mayor and his wife who had such a big impact on the Livonia community. They were instrumental in the library’s successful millage campaign and worked tirelessly with the Friends of the Library to raise money for the library. We are proud that the library now bears their names. Watch the Dedication here.
In the Library
ABCmouse.com for Libraries: Anyone who visits ABCmouse.com from the library can access the ABCmouse.com online books and curriculum. Feel free to explore ABCmouse.com during your next visit to our library!
Art Gallery: The Livonia Arts Commission maintains a one thousand square foot art gallery on the second floor of the Bennett Civic Center Library. Call Community Resources at (734) 466-2540 for exhibit information.
Awe Stations: The Early Literacy Station™ is designed specifically for our youngest patrons ages 2-8 and features over 4,000 localized learning activities.
Braille Books: Popular children’s books are available in braille thanks to Seedlings Braille Books for Children. The collection includes picture books with both print and braille as well as all-braille books.
Computer Help Desk: On the second floor at Bennett Civic Center Library, experienced staff are ready to help you with questions while you work on our internet computers 12-7 p.m. weekdays and 12-3 p.m. on the weekends.
Copiers/Scanners: There is a scanner available for public use at Civic Center Library. It is near the Print Release station and will scan to a usb/memory stick.
Displays: There are display areas — cases or bulletin boards — at each of the libraries that are available for short-term exhibits. Contact the individual library for availability. See our display policy for guidelines.
Internet/Microsoft Office Stations: The Bennett Civic Center Library has 18 internet stations for public use (12 adult, 1 fifteen minute express, 2 teen, and 3 children’s). All internet stations also have Microsoft Office software and will accept a usb/memory stick. Cost for printing is .15 per page for black and white and .25 per page for color. In compliance with CIPA (Child Internet Protection Act), all public computers are filtered. Internet filters are not perfect. If you find a site that should be blocked, please inform a librarian and steps will be taken to add it to the filter. If you are blocked from a site that you feel should not be filtered, inform the librarian so we can evaluate it and unblock it if has been blocked in error.
Nature Nook with Braille-Enhanced Storywalk®: Located at the Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center Library, the Nature Nook was designed and completed by Eagle Scout Candidate Matthew Sas and the Storywalk® was funded by the Livonia AM Rotary. Seedlings Braille Books for Children provided the Braille enhancement. Stories will be available in the Nature Nook from about April through October. Check out the Livonia Observer article about the Grand Opening. The Storywalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellog-Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
Peripheral Computer Devices: The libraries carry a small supply of usb/memory sticks, headphones and earbuds for purchase.
Wireless Internet Access: Wireless internet access is available at Sandburg and Civic Center Libraries. Wireless service is available throughout the building (including the meeting rooms and auditorium). Please note: printing is not available from the wireless network.3,846
Carl Sandburg Library
Branch Librarian: Nicole Lane
Questions?
Telephone: (248) 893-4010
Fax: (248) 476-6230
Facts and Figures
Architect: Tarapata-MacMahon Associates
Building Area: 8600 square feet
Meeting Room Capacity: 75 people
Circulation (number of items checked out): 70,022 items in 2021
eBook Circulation: 4,282 items in 2021
Total number of items the library owns: 42,141
Registered users: 1,549
History
Carl Sandburg Library first opened December 10, 1961. The name was recommended by the Library Commission as an example of an American author representing the best of literature of the midwest. Carl Sandburg had taught at the University of Michigan for a time.
In the Library
Displays: There are display areas — cases or bulletin boards — at each of the libraries that are available for short-term exhibits. Contact the individual library for availability. See our display policy for guidelines.
Internet/Microsoft Office Stations: Carl Sandburg has 8 (6 adult, 2 children’s) stations. All stations are equipped with MS Office and have internet access. In compliance with CIPA (Child Internet Protection Act), all public computers are filtered. Internet filters are not perfect. If you find a site that should be blocked, please inform a librarian and steps will be taken to add it to the filter. If you are blocked from a site that you feel should not be filtered, inform the librarian so we can evaluate it and unblock it if has been blocked in error.
Peripheral Computer Devices: The libraries carry a small supply of usb/memory sticks, headphones and earbuds for purchase.
Wireless Internet Access: Wireless internet access is available at Noble, Sandburg, and Civic Center Libraries. Wireless service is available throughout the building (including the meeting rooms and auditorium). Please note: printing is not available from the wireless network.1,549
Vest Pocket Library
Library Director: Toni LaPorte
Questions?
Telephone: (734) 466-2559
Facts and Figures
Circulation (number of items checked out): 4,313 items in 2016
Total number of items the library owns: 2,487
Staff: Vest Pocket Library is staffed by volunteers. They are supervised by Library Director Toni LaPorte.
History
Vest Pocket was opened as part of National Library Week on April 17, 1972. The collection at Vest Pocket is geared toward senior citizen’s interests and houses mainly large print books and paperbacks. Vest Pocket Library is located at 15218 Farmington Road in the southeast corner of Farmington and Five Mile Roads inside the Senior Center.
Alfred Noble Library
Branch Librarian:
Questions?
734-466-2452
Facts and Figures
Architect: Gunnar Birkerts & Associates
Building Area: 12,175 square feet
Meeting Room Capacity: 85 people
Circulation (number of items checked out): 34,838 items in 2016
eBook Circulation: 5,110 items in 2016
Total number of items the library owns: 49,281
Registered users: 3,472
History
The Alfred Noble Library opened for business on April 24, 1967. Prior to that, “The South Branch” was run out of a storefront on Plymouth Road, starting in 1958. When the Alfred Noble branch opened, it was considered the “main library” until the Civic Center Library opened in 1988. The library’s namesake was born and raised in Livonia. He went on to become an accomplished civil engineer with many significant projects to his credit, including the Panama Canal.