1911-1912--The roots of the William H. Aitkin Memorial Library go back to Nov. 6, 1911, when the Mayor of Croswell appointed a nine-member Library Board: George F. Manning, Frank M. Sturtridge, Emma Quail, Nora Learmont, Emily Smith, Hannah M. Wixon, Ellen Brotherton, Lillie Niggeman, and Elvira Rice. The Croswell Free Library and Reading Room opened in two rooms above the J.L. Frostick Barber Shop in 1912.

1930-1931--On Dec. 10, 1930, the library's name was changed to the William H. Aitkin Memorial Library. William H. Aitkin was a prominent member of the community who worked as a banker, lawyer, and State Senator. He died in 1927, and his wife, Hattie, and son, Melvin, presented the William H. Aitkin Memorial Fund to the City to build a library building, which was dedicated on March 23, 1931.

1943--Hattie died in 1943, leaving a trust to the library to be used only for the purchase of books, as designated by her will. Each year the library uses the interest of this trust to continue to offer one of the largest collections in the state for the population served. The library currently has about 40,000 materials in the collection and serves a population of 7,333.

1959--In 1959, the library built an addition to the original building which greatly increased the size of the library. The original 1931 building consisted of only the front part of the building where the circulation desk is now located. An Open House for the addition was held on April 12, 1959.

1980s--The library expanded in 1981 to the basement of the building, where the Children's Collection is located. In 1987, a Young Adult Room was created in the basement as well.

2000-2001--In June 2000, another addtion was opened, doubling the size of the library. In April 2001, phase II of this building project was completed with the renovation of the John and Lois Donovan Meeting/Reading Room. The original 1931 portion of building was renovated back to that time period to create this new room.

Forming a District Library

2006-2007--In November 2006, the library formed a district library, separating from the city. Forming a district library spread the cost of operating the library over the entire area that the library serves and created a more stable funding source when a millage was passed in February 2007. The library's new name became Aitkin Memorial District Library. The district boundaries became the portions of Buel Township, Fremont Township, Washington Township, Applegate Village, and Speaker Township that are within the Cros-Lex School Distrct along with the City of Croswell.