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The Bay County Library System

Circulating Collections

Each branch of the Bay County Library System offers patrons choices in materials to read, view, listen to and enjoy. There are more than 350,000 items for children through Senior Citizens to use! These collections cover a broad range of subjects, styles, levels and content. Whether browsing for pleasure, doing homework, pursuing a hobby, or continuing on the path of lifelong learning, the Library is committed to helping match materials to patron interest.

Audio Visual Materials

For listening pleasure, compact discs in a wide variety of musical styles.

• Books on Tape are available at all branches and books on CD are available at Bay City, Sage, and Pinconning branches (and at all other branches via interlibrary loan).
• The Videocassette Collection offers hundreds of entertainment and instructional titles this popular format.
• A small (but growing) collection of DVD titles is available at Bay City and Pinconning branches (and at all other branches via interlibrary loan).
• CD-ROMs: This interactive multi-media may be selected at both the adult and children’s levels at Sage, Bay City, Auburn, and Pinconning (and at other branches via interlibrary loan).

Books:

Fiction titles include mysteries, science fiction, westerns, romances and general fiction works for all readers.

Non-fiction works cover a wide variety of subject areas and levels of interest.

Large Print format books are available at many of the branches and cover diverse topics.

Electronic Books

Through the AccessMichigan project, Michigan library patrons now have access to a collection of ebooks via netLibrary. Please see our netLibrary page for details.

Newspapers

Local Newspapers: All branches maintain subscriptions to The Bay City Times.  Auburn and Pinconning Branch each maintain subscriptions to their local paper. Other newspapers are available at various branches.

1. The Bay City Times (1906 - current) is available on microfilm at the Alice and Jack Wirt Branch. An index to the paper is available there also. Earlier Bay City papers are also available on microform, dating back to 1864.
2. State and National Newspapers The newspapers listed below are subscribed to by the branches indicated. In addition, thousands of articles from newspapers across the country as well as from selected english language papers around the world are available via our online databases page.
3. Also, Alice and Jack Wirt Branch maintains The New York Times (Late Edition) and The Wall Street Journal (Eastern ed.) on microform.

Key
BAU	AJW	BPI	BSA	N/A
Auburn Area	Wirt	Pinconning	Sage	South Side

Barron's (AJW, BSA) Christian Science Monitor (AJW) Lansing State Journal (AJW) Midland Daily News (BAU, AJW) Detroit Free Press     (BAU, AJW, BPI, BSA) Detroit News (AJW) Flint Journal (AJW)

Grand Rapids Press (AJW) New York Times (Sunday)(AJW, BSA) Saginaw News (BAU, AJW, BSA) USA Today (BAU, AJW, BPI, BSA) Wall Street Journal (BAU, AJW, BPI, BSA) Washington Post Weekly (AJW)

Magazines

Magazines: All branches maintain subscriptions to dozens of popular, general interest titles. Back issues are kept for two to five years. A much larger number and range of titles is maintained (and some titles kept for longer periods) at Bay City Branch.

Research Resources

1. Online Databases
   A wide variety of databases is available for your research needs, including library catalogs, full-text magazine and newspaper articles, health information, practice tests, business and computer information, biographical and genealogical information, a reader's guide and more. Databases designed specifically for students are also available. Please see our online databases page for a complete list and links.
2. Reference Questions
   From simple "ready reference" questions ("Who won the World Series in 1951?"*), to more involved information needs; from requests over the phone, in person, or via our website form, all our branches provide general reference service, ranging from a very basic level at our smaller branches, with their core collection of reference books and internet access, to a much more comprehensive level at our primary reference center, the Bay City Branch, with its large reference collection, internet access, and staff of reference librarians.
   Space does not permit, of course, listing all the resources available in the Alice and Jack Wirt Reference Department. However, some major highlights are: Business, Investment & Law Reference, Michigan & Local History Reference, Bay City Times Index, Genealogy Materials & Obituary File, Michigan Government Documents, Census Documents, Michigan Telephone Directories
3. Internet Access:
   All branches provide computer stations for general internet (World Wide Web) access. Use of the internet stations is on a first come, first served basis and is limited to a 60-minute session when someone else is waiting. Patrons must show a valid library card and sign an acknowledgement of the library's Internet Access Policy.
4. Information & Referral Services
   With the arrival of the Bay Arenac Information and Referral Database (a service of United Way of Bay County), the library no longer maintains a file of community service organzations. The above database contains infomation on many organizations and agencies which provide services in the categories of Basic Needs, Consumer Services, Criminal Justice and Legal Services, Education, Environmental Quality, Health Care, Income Security and Maintenance, Individual and Family Life, Mental Health Care and Counseling, and Organizational and Community Services. The database is searchable by Name, Service, or Category.