Library Cooperatives of Michigan

Working Together to Empower Libraries!

The Library Cooperatives of Michigan (LCM) stands as a cornerstone in Michigan’s library community, recognizing the autonomy of the state’s eleven library cooperatives while highlighting our combined impact and contribution to strengthening our statewide network.

Library directors often look to their cooperatives as primary sources of support and guidance, as well as trusted advisors for the multitude of tasks and challenges they face, solidifying each cooperative director’s status as the first line of inquiry—the librarian’s librarian.

Drawing from our diverse backgrounds and unwavering passion and dedication to libraries, LCM stays abreast of current trends and actively seeks opportunities to enhance library services. Our cooperative approach fosters a culture of mutual respect, creating an environment beneficial to the cultivation of innovative ideas. By promoting open dialogue, LCM champions honesty and transparency, encouraging effective communication and collaborative advancement within the library community.

Established in Michigan by PA 89 of 1977, library cooperatives were created to provide member libraries with access to resource sharing, training, communications, and library development. More details on our history can be found here.

Michigan’s library cooperatives are funded by a portion of state aid based on the population served by the cooperative and a portion of state aid paid to member libraries for the purchase of cooperative services. The cooperative approach preserves local initiative and control while taking full advantage of the wealth of resources that a larger service area makes possible.  Michigan’s eleven regional library cooperatives work in concert with partner organizations to facilitate access to library resources, programs and services throughout the state of Michigan.

Each cooperative is governed by a nine-member governing board.  The governing board hires the director to manage the cooperative and enacts bylaws, rules, and regulations as necessary.