Libraries working together to bring quality information services to the citizens of Northern Michigan


The Northland Library Cooperative (NLC) is a non-profit resource sharing network of public libraries in over 6900 square miles of thirteen counties in northern Michigan: Alcona, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Luce, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle. Twenty-four public libraries with 18 branches serve the 296,766 residents of this mostly rural area.

Northland is one of 11 cooperatives funded by the State of Michigan to promote access to information for all citizens. The priorities of the cooperative include:

  • Serving as advocates for member libraries at local, state, and national levels to represent their special interests and to secure adequate and stable funding
  • Providing consultant services to local libraries in a variety of areas and facilitating communication and networking among member libraries
  • Assisting staff in member libraries to improve professional skills
  • Group purchasing for patron services that include eResources, BookPage’s book reviews, Consumer Reports Online and more.
  • Linking library users to resources not available locally through inter-library loan and resource sharing services
  • Fife Lake Public Library