Branches: Onekama Branch Library

Situated at the heart of the Village of Onekama, the library serves as a vital hub for residents and visitors eager to explore the world of literature and knowledge.

Onekama, with its rich history dating back to the establishment of the settlement of Portage in 1845, has evolved into a community defined by its picturesque location on the northeast shore of Portage Lake. The village, surrounded by Onekama Township, derives its name from Ona-ga-maa, an Anishinaabe word meaning “singing water.” The history of Onekama is marked by the transformative event of 1871 when residents, frustrated with the practices of the Portage Sawmill, dug a channel through the narrow isthmus, connecting Portage Lake to Lake Michigan and reshaping the landscape.

 Located in a village that has witnessed the construction of its first public buildings in 1880 and the establishment of vital infrastructure like schools and railroads, the library continues to play a crucial role in connecting generations to the vast world of knowledge.