Ann Arbor District Library--Malletts Creek Branch

Mallet’s Creek library in Ann Arbor is one of my favorites. The parking is plentiful; as you can also park along the side street. They have a nice relaxing atmosphere inside because, this branch doesn’t usually get too crowded. While the selection is much smaller than say the downtown branch, this branch has access to all the books throughout all other libraries in the state of MI and can have them ordered and delivered there for you to pickup. The staff have always been courteous and helpful. I love their baby playgroups (children under 2). They have some great toys for the kids including a ball pit, a multi-​colored parachute for the children to play underneath, climbing foams, baby dolls with beds, and multiple cars/​trucks/​boats etc. They include bubble time during the playgroup, have sing-​alongs and include a calm down period at the end of the playgroup in which they dim the lights give the children mini flashlights and sing songs like «Twinkle Twinkle Little Star» very softly. Best part is these playgroups are FREE! I was paying over $ 80 at First Steps for basically the same thing except the library playgroups are actually better. Too bad my son is 3 now however we now attend their Wed. morning story time. Which also includes sing-​alongs, a letter-​of-​the-​day theme, puppet foam board show, and of course a story. Rachael is the woman who usually leads these playgroups and she is a natural with children. They also do fun children’s activities throughout the month. Such things as «Sensation Station», «Create Your Own Playdoh», «Dancing Babies», and «Toddler Art Start» are just a few we have come to love.

The small library services several neighborhoods in southern Ann Arbor. It is small but well-​organized and well-​run. They have a good variety of media, including all the DVDs you could want. My wife and I have been blowing through Game of Thrones and we pick them up in Mallets Creek.
It is smaller and it doesn’t have the kids amenities like the main branch but that’s to be expected. There are plenty of glass windows to make it more airy and the views of nature will drop your blood pressure. The staff is attentive and helpful and they’re professional.
This is a nice branch and an excellent option for where we live. It provides a high value for the size and I’m impressed with what they do for being small.

Small, small, small! I have went to this library with a list of books, and none of them are available at this branch. It can be frustrating. I went in to find some generic books on how to prune my roses, but only found one or two to choose from compared to the hundreds (literally) at the Ypsilanti Library. The good news is that you can request books online and pick them up — that is awesome and helpful. It is just a poor library to go to to browse. And not enough parking!!!
Oh I wanted to add that the staff has always been super helpful and patient when I have questions about the facilities or how to borrow something random (instrument!). Thank you!

Fab library

I am a very heavy library user. As a college student, I can’t exactly afford to spend lots of money on music and movies, so I use the library to check out EVERYTHING: CDs, DVDs, magazines, and books. The staff here is really laid-​back. The library has a good collection of magazines, world music, and movies– especially the foreign film collection! It is also a clean facility. When something’s available at another branch and I put it on hold to be picked up at Mallett’s Creek, it arrives in a timely fashion.
The only reason this place gets ⁴⁄₅ stars is because parking is a pain and the library isn’t always the quietest of places to get much studying done since it’s often crowded and there are a lot of little kids running around.

The library is very small and open, there is no separation between the sections of the library. I think the staff is rude and the place is noisy. dissslike.

This is the branch closest to my house. Very nice building, although lately they’ve been having some trouble with the floor and it’s somewhat treacherous to walk through the library. Seems that the floor buckled, creating ridges that can trip you up.
The parking situation is pretty awful. Almost always full in the evenings, and overall, it’s a pain to park in this lot.
I love the fact that you can ‘self-​checkout.’ Some days, you just don’t want to interact with other human beings :)

I love this library. Open on Sunday too. That blows my mind. They always get the books I request asap. Very nice librarians and staff

I don’t have a card at this branch because I’m in the Ypsilanti library system. However, I’ve been to this location several times, and I really like it a lot. I’ve been to the branch with a friend to pick out movies to check out, and they have a pretty good selection. They also have a nice selection of music CDs, and stations where you can listen to a preview before you decide if you want to take the CD home with you.
And of course, they have lots of books and can get what they don’t have through inter-​library loan. They also have cool programs here, as do the other Ann Arbor District Library branches.
I’ve also ducked in here on a hot summer day to take advantage of the air conditioning. I recently took my bicycle in to be tuned up and had an hour to kill, so I stopped here to read for a while. It’s a really beautiful building, especially on the inside. It’s full of windows, glass, and blond wood, so it has a very light and bright feel to it.
It’s also a great place to study, with glassed off tutoring rooms and long tables with chairs for studying with your buddies. If you’re not studying but just want to chill with a book, there are more relaxed nooks with arm chairs, too.

The Malletts Creek Branch gets attention for its sustainable design: green roof, renewable building materials, engineered bioswale to filter runoff from the property. It’s an architectural doozy, and it’s easy on the eyes, too.
I might as well come clean and just admit that it’s my favorite branch.
The nice thing about all the branches is that if the book (or other item) you want is in another building, you can have it brought to you at your local branch. Pass it on.
The meeting space at the Malletts Creek branch can be rented for events. For more information, see the library’s main web page:
Full disclosure: I’m an employee of the Ann Arbor District Library. When I give the library a five-​star rating, it’s because I have been drinking the AADL Kool-​Aid.

An amazing building — open spaces inside, innovative exterior with a «growing» roof that somehow improves the environment. Lots of media. Oddly enough: there don’t seem to be very many books. The open spaces sacrifice bookcase space for visual space, so there aren’t any stacks. Oh well, it’s the 21^st century!