More Than Books — Find Connection at Chelsea Disctrict Library

Written by Virginia Krueger, Head of Marketing & Outreach

Fall is in the air—the farmers’ market shows the abundant harvest of the season, classes are back in session, the nights are getting colder, and it is the perfect time to curl up with your next great read! Chelsea District Library (CDL) kicks off the school year with Library Card Sign-Up Month, celebrating all your library has to offer. Our mission is to engage, inspire, and equip through evolving resources. CDL is a welcoming place for all; where we foster learning, creativity, and community.

Engage: Join a book club, attend library programs, or spend time upstairs by the fire with a new bestseller. Can’t make it to the library? Let the library come to you with Mobee, our bookmobile, or home delivery service.

Inspire: Visit our annual art exhibition each fall. Bring your imagination to life in our makerspace, the Ingenuity Engine. Explore the world with our travel and international cooking collection.

Equip: Connect to a reliable internet. Reserve a private study room for a job interview or meeting. Use our online resources for professional training and test preparation. Pick up materials in our 24/7 lockers.

New to the library are special resources devoted to community health. We host office hours Tuesdays through Fridays for Chelsea’s community social worker. Recently added is a special Community Cares Collection on the first floor. This special collection provides discreet access to materials on sensitive or stigmatized topics. Items do not require a library card and may be taken without checkout or return. Topics include substance use, trauma recovery, mental health, divorce, domestic violence, and more. The collection was formed with assistance from our community social worker and Washtenaw County Health Department, with generous funding from the Chelsea Rotary Club.

Whether you are a busy parent who needs a public restroom on the way to the soccer field, a teenager looking for service hours on their resume, a local biker needing to refill a tire or water bottle, or a new community member hoping to meet friends, our library is here for you. Parents connect at library storytimes. Residents enjoy special visits and book clubs at our senior living communities. Need shelter? Our building is open daily as a registered heating and cooling center. Stop by, get a library card, and find connection at your library!