MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. — Libraries are offering so much more than just books these days. Now, at the Muskegon Area District Library’s Muskegon Heights branch you can also check out bikes with your library card.
“We have computers, we have DVDs, we have wireless hotspots that are able to check out, we have iPad kits,” said Ian Wright, who is the lead librarian at the Muskegon Heights branch.
Who says libraries are just for reading?
Wright explained, “We have just about anything you can think of including metal detectors, we recently got record players. Any kind of item you can think of, we probably have in some capacity.”
In 2023, the library started testing out a bike library in partnership with the Muskegon County Bicycling Coalition.
Rob Taylor is the coalition’s president. He said he’s always been active, and “once my knees gave out, I switched over to biking and now I probably ride 100 miles a week.”
The 72-year-old told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that the group accepts bike donations and then uses their weekends to make sure those bikes are ready to ride.
“We’re able to muster as much as 30 volunteers at a time to work on bikes,” said Taylor.
Also, getting some help from Muskegon County inmates who are part of the Exit Program and will soon be returning to society.
“We actually provide bikes for them to repair and then we take them back and deliver them to the library,” said Taylor.
Wright talked about the need, particularly in this area, saying, “Here in Muskegon Heights, we have a lot of residents that have transportation issues. They’re not able to get around, don’t have a car, can’t afford a car and so we thought this was a good solution to help provide people, children – anyone who needs affordable transportation.”
The program operates during the summer months, starting in June.
“Especially for kids, it’s nice to have a bike when you’re not in school,” said Wright.
Taylor said, “Or just want, in today’s world, want to protect the environment and use less fossil fuels.”
“It’s just, it’s a really affordable program to help people connect and get to where they need to go here in The Heights,” said Wright.
Remember, library cards are free as long as you have a valid ID. This year, they’ve expanded the program. Before, only those with Muskegon Heights Library cards could check out the bikes. Now, they’re accepting other library cards at the Muskegon Heights location. The bike library is open through Halloween.