A Data Center in the Heart of Frankenmuth

“Are libraries the new ‘Third Places’ we’re looking for? They just might be. They’re doing a lot of things that don’t have much to do with books but do have a lot to do with community. And you don’t hear “shhh” much anymore.” – Alan Ehrenhalt for Governing.com

If you haven't visited a library in a while, you might be envisioning the stereotypical silent, looming building filled with rows of dusty books and bitter, glasses-wearing librarians. But that just isn't the reality here at Wickson! (Well, except for the glasses. Many of us working here do have frighteningly poor eyesight. Some stereotypes persist.)

On average, about five hundred people walk through the doors of our library each day. Over the weekend, we doubled that number with a whopping ONE THOUSAND people visiting Wickson on Saturday, May 30th to enjoy our Summer Reading Program Kick-Off Party!

As impressive as those numbers are, they only continue to get bigger! Wickson Library holds a collection of over 71,000 physical books, newspapers, games, puzzles, and more- proof that we are Frankenmuth’s very own data center.

As journalist Alan Ehrenhalt noted in his quote about “Third Places,” modern libraries offer far more than books. You’ll smell the comforting aromas of fresh coffee, hear the gentle hum of the public printer and nearby conversations, and catch glimpses of children playing together (screen-free!) in our beloved Children’s Wing.

Stop in any time to work on our community puzzle. Enjoy a game of chess after school. Attend one of the over four hundred educational programs we offer each year. Join the waitlist for our wildly in-demand Summer Reading Program special events. And of course, snag a copy of what might just become your new favorite book.

We are, proudly, a third space. A community center- the world’s best data center- for everyone to enjoy during life's in-between moments.

(And if you couldn’t attend our Summer Reading Program Kick-Off Party this past weekend, don’t worry! While many of our special children’s events have a waitlist, some teen and adult programs still have space available! And everyone is welcome to register for a reading log until July 8th!)