Leland’s first public library was started in 1944 when the Leland Foundation added an adult bookshelf to the school library. From this beginning, as the use of the library increased, the location was moved to three different stores in the community.

In the fall of 1950, Mrs. Adelia Ball Morris purchased the S.R. Gain barbershop building on River Street. The building was given to the Leland Foundation for a library as a memorial to the late Mrs. Isabel Ball. The Foundation operated the library until spring of 1976 when it was merged with and eventually became the Leland Township Public Library.

It was always a dream of Jean Noling’s that one day a beautiful library would be built on the Leland River. That hope became a reality in 1975. With the gift of property to Leland Township by Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Munnecke and through Mrs. Noling’s quiet influence, her financial assistance, and her unending enthusiasm, she and others generated sufficient community support and donations leading to a successful fund-raising campaign. The Leland Township Public Library building in its current location was dedicated on July 4th, 1976 as a bicentennial project of the Leland area.

In 1984, an agreement between the Township, the Library, and the Leelanau Historical Society was reached; and the Munnecke room and Museum were constructed. The Munnecke room was to be used as a community meeting facility. The Township Library maintains this room covering all expenses associated with its use – heat, electricity, cleaning, as well as scheduling all events and keeping the keys to the room.

Our most recent addition project began in 1992, when a building fund was established and community pledges and contributions provided funding. An additional 1500 sq. feet was added to the library proper. In 1993 this project was completed, adding a quiet reading room and increased space in the children’s area.

Since 1944 the Leland Township Library has provided service to all Township residents, to the summer resident and to the tourists who sustain our business community whether they come by automobile or by boat to our beautiful harbor. For many who come, the local library is a first stop. For those looking to buy property in a community, the quality of the public library, along with the public school system, is one of the major considerations. What the library offers to the community is often difficult to measure in numbers.