Historical Sage Library

Sage Branch Library exterior with foundation and steps leading to entrance

Library Location, Contact, and Hours

Address:
100 E. Midland St.
Bay City, MI 48706

Directions:
Google Maps

logo

Amy Churchill
Managing Librarian
achurchill@baycountylibrary.org

Phone:
989-892-8555 ext. 307

Fax:
989-892-1516

Additional Contacts

Children's Department
Dani DiAmico
989-892-8555 ext. 309

Teen/Adult Departments
Emily Marsh
989-892-8555 ext. 315

Hours:
Monday – Tuesday: 9AM-5PM
Wednesday – Thursday: 12PM-8PM
Friday: 9AM-5PM
Saturday – Sunday: CLOSED

The Sage Branch Library is located on the west side of Bay City, Michigan. This historic building and its staff provides full library service, including programs, WiFi, and computers with high-speed access to the Internet. It houses a varied collection of books, CDs, magazines, audio books, DVDs, and videos for people of all ages, as well as puppets and toys for children. A community room is available for meetings of groups and organizations.

Historical Sage Public Library

The Sage Public Library, now known as the Sage Branch of the Bay County Library System, was dedicated to the people of West Bay City, Michigan, in January, 1884. It was a gift from Henry W. Sage of Ithaca, New York, who owned and operated one of the world’s largest sawmills on the west side of the Saginaw River in Bay City.

The library originally occupied the second floor, with a reading room that was used by the Young Men’s Debate Society. The first floor was used for school classes and the Superintendent of Schools had an office on the third floor. Historic features include a grand stairway from the lobby to the third floor and a large fireplace in the front reading room on the second floor. The fireplace has a massive wood mantle with a firebox opening surrounded by hand painted ceramic tiles depicting figures from literary works and fairy tales. A portrait of Henry Sage hangs over the fireplace.

The building’s architecture has been described as a combination of French Chateau, Ruskin Gothic, and Victorian Gothic in style, with a gabled roof and dormers, and a bay window. A niche in the front houses a statue, the Lady of Learning, an imported terra cotta figure representing literature and science. Also highlighting the front yard is a cast iron fountain with a statue depicting Leda and the Swan, characters of Greek mythology. The building is on both the State and National Registers of historic sites.

Historical Sage images

Upcoming Events

WIRT CLOSED

All Day
All Branches
Closing
Branches:
Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Auburn Area Branch Library, Pinconning Branch Library, Sage Branch Library, Virtual, Off Site
Description:

BCLS is closed for the Easter Holiday. Regular hours resume on Mon, April 21, 2025.

Online services available on the app and at www.baycountylibrary.org

This event is in the "Family" group.
This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group.
This event is in the "Children" group.

Family Storytime - Sage

10:00am - 10:30am
Family, Babies & Toddlers, Children
Sage Branch Library
Registration
Library Branch: Sage Branch Library
Room: Sage Branch Community Room
Age Group: Family, Babies & Toddlers, Children
Program Type: Storytime
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 14
Event Details:

Family Storytime

Stories, rhymes, music, and movement to encourage everyone in the family to share their love of reading.

Best for children ages 6 and under with a participating caregiver.

Registration for all BCLS Spring storytimes begins on Friday, March 7, 2025. Spring storytimes will run for a six-week session, through the week of May 12-16.

Disclaimer(s)

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Registration is required.  Please register in person, by phone, or online.

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group.
This event is in the "Children" group.

Busy Book Cafe

11:00am - 12:00pm
Babies & Toddlers, Children
Sage Branch Library
Registration
Library Branch: Sage Branch Library
Room: Sage Branch Community Room
Age Group: Babies & Toddlers, Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 10
Event Details:

Join us at Sage Library on Monday, April 21 for Busy Book Cafe!

For children ages 0-3 years old + Adult.

Disclaimer(s)

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Registration is required.  Please register in person, by phone, or online.

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group.
This event is in the "Children" group.

Preschool Storytime - Sage

10:00am - 10:30am
Babies & Toddlers, Children
Sage Branch Library
Registration
Library Branch: Sage Branch Library
Room: Sage Branch Community Room
Age Group: Babies & Toddlers, Children
Program Type: Storytime
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 6
Event Details:

Preschool Storytime

Join us with your preschooler for stories, rhymes, music, movement, and early literacy fun!

Best for ages 2-5 with a participating caregiver.

Registration for all BCLS Spring storytimes begins on Friday, March 7, 2025. Spring storytimes will run for a six-week session, through the week of May 12-16.

Disclaimer(s)

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Registration is required.  Please register in person, by phone, or online.

This event is in the "Babies & Toddlers" group.
This event is in the "Children" group.

Baby Storytime - Sage

11:00am - 11:30am
Babies & Toddlers, Children
Sage Branch Library
Registration
Library Branch: Sage Branch Library
Room: Sage Branch Community Room
Age Group: Babies & Toddlers, Children
Program Type: Storytime
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 21
Event Details:

Baby Storytime

Nurture a love of books in your baby! Enjoy songs, rhymes, and stories, followed by a chance for play! 

Best for children under the age of 2 with a participating caregiver.

Registration for all BCLS Spring storytimes begins on Friday, March 7, 2025. Spring storytimes will run for a six-week session, through the week of May 12-16.

Disclaimer(s)

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Registration is required.  Please register in person, by phone, or online.

This event is in the "Teens" group.

Film Crew Club

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Teens
Sage Branch Library
Registration
Library Branch: Sage Branch Library
Room: Sage Branch Community Room
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Movies, STEAM, Technology Class
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 11
Event Details:

Join us for a club for teens, all about making movies and other video-based media, with equipment provided by the Michigan Learning Channel! 

Disclaimer(s)

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Participant must be in grades sixth through twelfth (6-12) to register for this program

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Backyard Birds & Beyond

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Adults
Sage Branch Library
Registration
Library Branch: Sage Branch Library
Room: Sage Branch Community Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Educational
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 19
Event Details:

Greg Bodker's beautiful photography will help you learn more about birds as he demonstrates the joys of birding you can have both in your backyard and in our area. Novice and aspiring birders will especially benefit from the program.

Disclaimer(s)

Registration is required.  Please register in person, by phone, or online.

This event is in the "Children" group.
This event is in the "Tweens" group.

Mad Scientists: Egg Drop

5:30pm - 6:30pm
Children, Tweens
Sage Branch Library
Registration
Library Branch: Sage Branch Library
Room: Sage Branch Community Room
Age Group: Children, Tweens
Program Type: STEAM
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 7
Event Details:

Children age 6-12 are invited to join us at Sage Library for Mad Scientists: Egg Drop on Thursday, April 24 @ 5:30 pm. 

Can you build a protective container for an egg that can withstand a drop down the Sage fire escape? 

Disclaimer(s)

Registration is required.  Please register in person, by phone, or online.