Download the latest program newsletter.

Mission: Read challenges students in grades K-3 to read for 1,000 days before grade 6. A thousand days sounds like a lot, but Mission: Read makes it fun.

Readers sign up at shelbytwplib.beanstack.org to log whatever they want to read for as long as they wish. Before logging on, readers should ask, "did I read today?" If the answer is, "yes" then whatever they read counts towards their 1,000 days.

When you complete your mission, report back to a librarian, and we'll have an out-of-this-world reward for you.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Set a goal to read 1,000 books to your little ones before they start kindergarten as you start reading with your children the day they are born.

Reading together is enjoyable and builds language skills children need before they go to school. Track your progress after you sign up at shelbytwplib.beanstack.org. Earn digital badges as every book you read together counts every time you read it.

Children receive a sticker for every 100 books they read and a free book and tote bag when they finish 1,000 books. Show a librarian your digital badges to earn the prizes. Our partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Utica and Shelby Township funds this program.

The Shelby Township Library has a lot to offer teenagers. We have movies, magazines, books, and more. Check out the teen section of our library.

Download the latest program newsletter.

Teen Volunteer League

We appreciate your interest in becoming a teen volunteer at the Shelby Township Library! Members of the Shelby Township Library Teen Volunteer League help at programs and events through the year and are welcome to join the library’s Teen Advisory Board at monthly meetings.

Age Requirements:

Teen volunteers must be between 14-17 years of age. Sorry, we cannot accept volunteers younger than 14 years of age.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What type of things will I do?

Teen volunteers perform a variety of tasks, including assisting library staff in programs and special projects.

How much time do I need to volunteer?

Shifts are based on library needs and vary monthly. You sign up to volunteer based on your own schedule and availability. The length of each shift varies, but typical shifts are one to two hours long. You will receive a link to the online sign up from the Librarian and you can pick how much you want to help out.

Do I need to live in Shelby Township?

We accept teen volunteers residing in Shelby Township and other local surrounding communities.

What is the Teen Advisory Board?

The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is a dedicated group of core volunteers that help the Teen Services Librarian plan programs, materials for purchase, and advocate library services to their peers. Please indicate on the volunteer application if you’d like to join, or tell the Librarian if you’ve already submitted your application.

Application Process:

All teen volunteers must complete a volunteer application and work permit, and have it approved prior to volunteering at the Shelby Township Library.

Teen Volunteer Application

Work Permit - Fill out either form based on your current age.

• 14 and 15 Years of Age
• 16 and 17 Years of Age

Please note: All sections of the work permit must be completed.

Incomplete applications will not be processed. You will get an email confirmation that you’ve been accepted after your completed application is processed. 

Homework Help

• Access an online tutor, live, every day from noon to midnight through Tutor.com.
• Access test preparation, study materials and college prep resources with Learning Express Library.
• Access online resources for homework help, college preparation, career preparation and more with mel.org.
• Discover resources for research projects with the library’s databases.
• Ask a librarian for help.

100 Books Before Graduation

The 100 Books Before Graduation challenge for teens in grades 7-12 is to finish reading 100 books before graduating high school.

Participants can read or listen to any book they have yet to read, including school reading assignments and graphic novels. Complete the challenge to collect prizes and virtual badges along the way. Reading for fun can result in higher test scores, improved vocabulary and writing skills, increased social skills, reduces stress, and improved emotional health.

After completing 100 Books Before Graduation, participants will be more likely to enjoy a lifelong love of reading. Track your progress with the free “Beanstack” app or sign up at shelbytwplib.beanstack.org.

Teen Pop-Up Art Gallery

EXHIBITION PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

The Shelby Township Library Pop-Up Teen Art Gallery is a non-profit exhibition space devoted to the promotion of local teen artists. The library accepts applications from artists on an ongoing basis, applicants must be current middle school or high school students in grades 7-12 residing in Shelby Township, MI or a Utica Community Schools student.

The gallery is located in the Teen Room of the library, in a seven-foot-wide by five-foot-high space. The gallery can accommodate up to 30 pounds of framed art, while space is limited up to 15 pieces can be displayed depending on the size. All art must be able to be hung by a hook for display.

Exhibitors must be present for the installation and deinstallation of the exhibition, and for adhering to the exhibition schedules. At the time of application, the works should be ready to hang or display. The Exhibitor is responsible for ensuring the work is ready to hang or display; preparation and installation of the exhibition are your responsibility with the assistance of the librarian.

All proposals are given careful consideration. Applicants, upon approval, will be invited to exhibit their work for one calendar month to be decided by the librarian and will be communicated via e-mail shortly following review. It is recommended that prospective artists visit the library to get a sense of the physical space and consider the best layout for their possible exhibition. An example of the hooks/hardware is available to view, upon request, please ask a librarian for more information.

The Shelby Township Library is not responsible for loss or damage to exhibited works before, during, or after the exhibit. The Exhibitor has sole responsibility for the safekeeping of all artworks before, during or after the exhibit.

ART GUIDELINES:

• All creations must be original work, matted or framed and ready for display to be hung by a hook.
• All mediums are welcome (example: pencil, ink, paint, prints of digital work, photography, etc.)
• Please, no profane language, depictions of violence, racism, weapons, gore, or nudity.

REQUIREMENTS

In order to be reviewed, you must submit the exhibition proposal materials outlined below to shelbylib@libcoop.net as either an email attachment, or a Google Drive link.

• Artist Contact Information (see below).
• Short bio and artist’s statement that can be displayed with the exhibit.
• A document (.doc, .pdf) with the artist’s name, an image list with titles, date, media, and dimensions.
• No more than 10 images of current work in JPEG format, including the pieces that will be included in the exhibit.

If you have questions or need technical assistance, please contact us at 586-739-7414 or shelbylib@libcoop.net.

ARTIST CONTACT INFORMATION

Please print neatly. Please include this with your submission materials.

Let your imagination and creativity loose and share your original art with our community. Submit your original artwork through July 31, 2026. We’ll add the artwork to an online gallery on the library’s website with an online voting system. The three submissions with the most votes will receive a $25 gift certificate. Winners will be contacted by phone.

Please see the rules and guidelines for more information.

Click here to download the Teen Virtual Art Gallery and Art Contest submission form for more information.

See all entries here.

The Shelby Township Library offers virtual, to-go and in-person library programs to engage the community. For archived programs, view the playlist below for our adult library programs or watch it on the "Shelby TV" YouTube channel.

Download the latest program newsletter.

Afternoon Book Club

The Afternoon Book Club is the oldest library-run book club in Michigan. It meets at 1 p.m. the third Thursday of each month for a lively discussion of the month’s book. Newcomers are always welcome. Location: Meeting Room

2026 Book List:

Jan. 15 - “The Mystery Guest” by Nita Prose
Feb. 19 - “The Berry Pickers” by Amanda Peters
Mar. 19 - “The Book Lover's Library” by Madeline Martin 
Apr. 16 - “The Wedding People” by Alison Espach 
May 21 - “The Paris Apartment” by Lucy Foley
June 18 - “The Names” by Florence Knapp
July 16 - “Emperor of Gladness” by Ocean Vuong
Aug. 20 - “The Briar Club” by Kate Quinn
Sept. 17 - “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders” by Jessie Q. Sutanto 
Oct. 15 - “Broken Country” by Claire Leslie Hall
Nov. 19 - “My Friends” by Fredrik Backman 
Jan. 21, 2027 - “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans

2025 Afternoon Book Club Bookmark

Evening Book Club

For many, evening is the best time to meet to discuss books, making the Evening Book Club a popular choice. This club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Newcomers are always welcome. Location: Meeting Room

2026 Book List:

Jan. 13: “The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhon 
Feb. 10: “They Call Us Enemy” by George Takei
Mar. 10: “The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” by Anna Johnston 
Apr. 13: “In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife” by Sebastian Junger 
May 12: “Run” by Ann Patchett 
June 9: “A Woman of No Importance” by Sonia Purnell 
July 14: “I Cheerfully Refuse” by Leif Enger
Aug. 11: “God of the Woods” by Liz Moore
Sept. 8: “My Next Breath” by Jeremy Renner 
Oct. 13: “The Wild Dark Shore” by Charlotte McConaghy 
Nov. 10: “The Book of Lost Friends” by Lisa Wingate 
Dec. 8: “The Red Badge of Courage” by Stephen Crane 
Jan. 12, 2027: “Thunderstruck” by Erik Larsen

2026 Evening Book Club Bookmark

Mystery Book Club

Love a good mystery? After you read a mystery do you love to talk about who did it, and how the case was solved. Join the Mystery Book Club at 10:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month as they discuss a mystery book together. Newcomers are always welcome. Location: Meeting Room

2026 Book List:

Jan. 10: “Wrong Place, Wrong Time” by Gillian Flynn
Feb. 14: “Starvation Lake” by Bryan Gruley 
Mar. 14: “The Searcher” by Tana French 
Apr. 11: “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice by Murderers” by Jesse Q. Sutanto
May 9: “The Silent Sister” by Diane Chamberlain
June 13: “She Didn’t See it Coming” by Shari LaPena 
July 11: “Agatha Christie” (any title) and tv episode
Aug. 8: “We are All Guilty Here” by Karin Slaughter 
Sept. 12: “Promises in Death” by J. D. Robb 
Oct. 10: “You Will Pay” by Lisa Jackson
Nov. 14: “One by One” by Ruth Ware 
Dec. 12: “Sworn to Silence” by Linda Castillo 
Jan. 9, 2027: “The Sorority Murder” by Allison Brennan 

2026 Mystery Club Bookmark

Not Your Parents' Book Club

Organized by librarians from the Shelby Township Library, we’ll gather at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month to discuss edgy, interesting, or offbeat books over an adult beverage or a tasty treat. This club meets at Steakhouse 22 at 48900 Van Dyke Ave.

2026 Book List:

Jan. 27: “Shark Heart” by Emily Habeck
Feb. 24: “The Wedding People” by Alison Espach
Mar. 31: “My Antonia” by Willa Cather
Apr. 28: “The Once and Future Witches” by Alix Harrow
May 26: “Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson
June 30: “All Fours” by Miranda July
Aug. 25: “All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whittaker
Sept. 29: “The Antidote” by Karen Russell
Oct. 27: “Blue Sisters” by Coco Mellors
Nov. 24: “Wild Dark Shore” by Charlotte McConaghy

2026 Not Your Parents Book Club Bookmark

Shelby Writers' Group

The Shelby Writers' Group is a warm, friendly, professional and fun place for adults to discuss writing and gain invaluable input.

The members are dedicated to improving their craft and helping other aspiring writers attain their goals.

The Writers' Group meets at 6:15 on Thursdays.

Find the latest library newsletter here.

Fax/Scan

The library has a fax machine, and domestic faxes are $1 per page to send. The library does not receive faxes or perform international faxing. Patrons can scan documents for saving or sending for free.

Printing

All library computers print to a self-service print release station in our technology lab and lobby. Printed pages are $.10 per black and white copy and $0.25 for color prints. We allow up to 100 pages per day to be printed.

Wireless printing and prints are available for pickup at the print release stations.

Documents are only stored in the print queue for eight hours.  Once that time expires, we are unable to retrieve and print your document.

Please contact the library if you need special assistance.

Wi-Fi Access

The library provides wireless internet access anywhere in the building; please properly configure your laptop. Connect to "SBLWIFI" in your wireless settings and accept our usage policies to log in. The Wi-Fi will disconnect ten minutes before closing time each day.

Exam Proctoring

Reference staff at the library will proctor exams provided you are a Shelby Township Library cardholder in good standing. Students are required to fill out the proctoring form. Once the proctoring form is complete, contact the library to schedule space for an exam.

Study Rooms

The library has five study rooms available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The rooms seat up to six people comfortably. To use a room, please visit the Information Desk.

Most items may be borrowed for three weeks including:

• Books
• Audio Books
• Compact Discs
• Magazines
• Cliff Notes

Some items can be borrowed for seven days including:

• Adult Feature DVDs
• Juvenile Feature DVDs
• Non-Feature DVDs
• Nintendo Switch games

Some items can be borrowed for 14 days including:

• New Adult Fiction

For most items there is no borrowing limit. Take as many books and DVDs as you can carry.

Items borrowed or requested from other libraries are subject to the owning library's policies.

Holds

Are you looking for an item that is checked out or available at another Macomb County library? Use your library card to request the item. You can do it yourself through the Library Catalog, using the SLC Libraries Mobile App or ask a Librarian to hold the item for you. When the item arrives at the Shelby Township Library, we will notify you by email or text message. A few items, like new items owned by some other libraries, and items there is a charge to check out like feature-film DVDs may not be placed on hold.

If you are requesting an item currently on the Shelby Township Library’s shelves, call the Library at 586-739-7414, and items will be held on the Hold Shelves to the left of the Welcome Desk.

To be eligible for a Shelby Township Library card, you must live or be a Shelby Township taxpayer. Proof of residency, such as a valid Michigan driver’s license, Michigan state ID, or two acceptable ID forms with a current address, is required to apply for a library card. Children under 18 need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive a card.

You can apply for a library card in person, by emailing shelbylib@libcoop.net, or you can file an electronic application here to access digital resources now.

Shelby Township Library is a member of the Suburban Library Cooperative. All libraries in the SLC offer borrowing privileges to Shelby Township residents. For a complete list of SLC member community libraries, click here.

 Download the complete guide to everything you can unlock with a Shelby Township Library card

Macomb County Library for the Blind and Print Disabled

Macomb Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (MLBPD) serves all residents of Macomb County, who qualify, by providing audio books and players, large print books, equipment that enlarges text, equipment for printing Braille materials, and more.

All services are free.  Materials are mailed postage free to and from the reader. Their website is https://cmpl.org/mlbpd/

The Friends of the Shelby Library are an independent, nonprofit library support organization with elected officials. The Friends of the Shelby Library Board meets at 9:30 a.m. the third Thursday of the month.

The Friends of the Library bookstore may be found at the front of the library. A donation deposit box is also here for your convenience.

The Friends of the Library are now accepting donations. Donations may be no more than six boxes and not include textbooks, encyclopedias, VHS or magazines. Thank you for your support.

Friends of the Shelby Library Board:

Sydne Hansman
President

Maggie Murray
Vice President

Emily Polet-Monterosso
Treasurer

Julie Householder
Secretary

Beth Bartlett
Membership Chair

The purpose of the Friends of the Library is to support the library with funds and volunteer services that are not normally provided for by library procedures. They also sponsor activities for fundraising and membership enhancement and bring attention to the services offered by the library.

Funds are raised by assessing membership dues, holding fundraisers and selling items in the Friends’ Bookstore. These funds are used to provide furniture, equipment, special events, programs, artwork and materials for the library.

To join the Friends of the Shelby Library, please fill out and submit a membership application.

Liability Waiver and Photo Release Form

The library is excited to share local authors from the Shelby Township area. 

To donate to this collection, please reference our Gift and Donation Policy, listed here. 

To donate published books, CDs or DVDs, please complete the submission form and include it with the donated item/s.

Your copy of this completed form may be used as a tax deductible receipt. Donations should be clearly marked "Local Author Collection" and brought to the library front desk.

Library Director

Community Posting Policy
Device Lending Policy
Gifts and Donations Policy
Interlibrary Loan Policy
Internet Use Policy
Material Selection-Collection Development Policy
Media Relations Policy
Meeting Rooms Policy
Patron Code of Conduct Policy
Proctoring Policy
Reconsideration of Materials Policy
Request for Reconsideration Policy
Security Camera Policy
Study Room Policy
Tutor Policy

Volunteering

Adults interested in volunteering can join the Friends of the Library and assist with book donations and the bookstore.

Friends of the Library application

Liability Waiver and Photo Release Form

When the Shelby Township Library has positions available they will be listed by the township's Human Resources Department.

Shelby Township Employment

Michigan Activity Pass

Did you know the Michigan Activity Pass transforms your library card into your best travel companion? Discover hundreds of Michigan’s cultural destinations and natural attractions with your library card. You can “check out” FREE or discounted admission passes or other exclusive offers to hundreds of Michigan state parks, campgrounds, museums, trails, and arts and cultural destinations.

Detroit Zoo Discount

Library card holders receive savings when ordering Detroit Zoo tickets online. Visit this website and input code "SLC" to receive five dollars off a general admission ticket. While on the site, users can also purchase food vouchers and parking. Getting your dose of Vitamin Z just became a little easier.