Learning and Research

Our Reference Desk staff at the Petoskey District Library (PDL) is ready to answer your research questions during our regular hours of operation. If you cannot make it to the Library in person, you can call or email us.

Art, craft, and DIY classes

Creativebug

With Creativebug you will find unlimited access to thousands of online art and craft classes, available anytime, anywhere with your PDL library card.

Consumer and financial research

Consumer Reports

Thinking about purchasing a new appliance? Consumer Reports is a non-profit consumer organization where you can find unbiased ratings and reviews for over 9000 products and services. All you need is a Petoskey District Library card!

Access Consumer Reports from inside the Petoskey Library OR Access Consumer Reports from home.

Value Line

Whether you’re a beginning investor or a veteran looking for high-impact ideas, Value Line can position you for financial success quickly and easily. The uncontested authority in reliable, unbiased information, Value Line puts you in the driver’s seat with accurate and insightful investment research on companies, industries, markets and economies. From the latest data, sophisticated tools and proven ranks to expert analysis and guidance, Value Line gives you the power to evaluate investments with confidence. All you need is a Petoskey District Library card!

Genealogy

Family history resources at PDL

Ancestry Library Edition

Ancestry Library Edition has an abundance of information. Census records, birth records, marriage records, military records, draft cards, death records, participant family trees, military headstone placement records, and more. Ancestry Library Edition is only available on our public computers, inside the Library.

Microfilm

PDL has microfilm copies of local newspapers dating back to 1875. The public is welcome to use our microfilm reader to view these, or to view microfilm of their own.

Ohle Collection

The Library's Ohle collection houses over 400 historical publications about Michigan and the Great Lakes region.

Petoskey High School yearbooks

The Petoskey District Library has digitized many of the past Petoskey high school yearbooks (Petosegen). We are providing unabridged, historical access to these resources as a means of historical study and research. The Petoskey District Library, however, does not condone any content that is offensive in these books, nor do these reflect Library’s mission, values, or policies.

Vertical historic files

PDL has collected archival material (newspaper clippings, photos, pamphlets) of local people, places and happenings throughout our area's history. These vertical files are found in our Local History Room and are available to the public.

Family history from home (online)

FamilySearch

FamilySearch has an abundance of information: census records, birth records, marriage records, death records, baptism records, and family trees shared by site participants. Some records are actual scanned or digital documents you can view and others are transcriptions of the document information and only the transcribed information is available.

Find a Grave

Find a Grave is a user based site. Here participants make an online memorial for the deceased. Each memorial varies because the participants will input the information they have or are willing to share. Some participants work to document entire local cemeteries.

Fold3

Fold3 provides convenient access to military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served. On Fold3, you can combine records found on the site with what you have in your own albums and shoeboxes to create an online memorial for someone who served.

Greenwood Cemetery

The Greenwood Cemetery website gives you access to full local newspapers dating back to the 1800s. Also available for searching and viewing are obituaries, photos, and history archives. This is an excellent resource unique to Petoskey.

General research

MelCat

Search the Michigan eLibrary online catalog (MelCat) that allows you to borrow materials--music, books, audio, and more--from all over Michigan.

MeL databases

The Library of Michigan has purchased access to commercial eResources (electronic resources), which are available free-of-charge to Michigan residents through their libraries and remote access. Resources include career preparation, car repair, college preparation, genealogy, health, law, and general reference. You can access all the databases at the Michigan eLibrary.

Language learning

Mango Languages

Mango Languages is currently available in 38 foreign language and 15 ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. Best of all, if you have your library card and have access to the Internet, you can access the actual courses remotely from anywhere!

Visit museums, state parks and other cultural destinations

Michigan Activity Pass (MAP)

MAP gives Petoskey District Library cardholders the opportunity to discover and learn more about cultural destinations, state parks, campgrounds, and recreational areas in the state at discounted rates.