About the North Muskegon Branch

North Muskegon “Walker Memorial” Branch Library – The Heart of the Community

One of the first things you’re likely to notice about the North Muskegon Branch is that it is also known fondly as the Walker Memorial Branch. This name comes from the benevolent L. C. Walker family of North Muskegon, which has donated generously to the community for decades. The library building as we know it would likely not exist without the financial support of the Walker family.

In 1961 a library was started in an unheated room in the high school. It became very popular, and like today’s library, it needed more space. In 1967 Mayor William Andree appointed a committee to look into the library’s needs. A building site was made available by the L.C. Walker estate, and in December 1968, library committee chair James Hooper and Mayor Andree broke ground for construction of a colonial style building designed by Harry Magnuson. Opened in October 1969, the North Muskegon Branch library sits in a beautiful location just across the street from Muskegon Lake, right beside Walker Park, and just in front of North Muskegon Public Schools.

On an average day, hundreds of people enter the library for a variety of reasons. The library offers seven public computers and free wi-fi available 24/7 which draws in patrons for a variety of reasons. Some need to check their emails, apply for jobs, do school work or prepare for college exams. A Makerbot 3-D printer is a technological attraction for many of the after school kids who gather around to print keychains, figures, and other knickknacks. North Muskegon is the only library in Muskegon County to have a seed library to promote growing, saving, and sharing seeds. Patrons can check out vegetable, fruits, herb and flower seeds for planting. 

Patrons who visit regularly show their appreciation and support in many ways. The library has purchased furniture for the adult section and a variety of items used during the popular story times with donations from patrons.  The branch recently received an anonymous donation which will be used to fund much needed renovations. Children who attend story times and who come in after school often give the staff pictures and notes they made about the library and about how they love to read. 

The staff truly appreciate the Friends of Walker Library group which hosts a variety of activities for families throughout the year.  These programs include the annual Easter Egg Drop which attracts hundreds of people, three yearly book sales, craft nights, the Live @ the Library concert series, the annual Summer Reading Kickoff Carnival, and many more.

In 1986 circulation was 55,658. Thirty years later in 2016 it was almost 30,000 higher at 84,395. This branch is the second busiest library within the Muskegon Area District Library system. Unfortunately, space is tight for providing modern library services. As a result, the City of North Muskegon and the Muskegon Area District Library are working together closely to address the future needs of the library.