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Several additional branches opened shortly afterwards, including one in the Old Main building of Wayne State. But it was not until 1910 when [[Andrew Carnegie]], the great American library [[philanthropist]] of the early 20th century, donated funds did Detroiters decide to build a larger central library to supplement Centre Park. Property near Woodward and Kirby was purchased and in 1912 [[Cass Gilbert]] was commission to construct his design of a three floor, early Italian Renaissance-style building. Due to delays and World War I, the Main Library was not officially dedicated until June 3, 1921.
Several additional branches opened shortly afterwards, including one in the Old Main building of Wayne State. But it was not until 1910 when [[Andrew Carnegie]], the great American library [[philanthropist]] of the early 20th century, donated funds did Detroiters decide to build a larger central library to supplement Centre Park. Property near Woodward and Kirby was purchased and in 1912 [[Cass Gilbert]] was commission to construct his design of a three floor, early Italian Renaissance-style building. Due to delays and World War I, the Main Library was not officially dedicated until June 3, 1921.


== Administration ==

The library is a publically funded, independent, municipal corporation. DPL funds are administered by the Detroit Public Library Commission whose members are appointed by the [[Detroit Public Schools]] CEO. There is an annual public meeting, and several monthly meetings that can be attended by public members.

== Statistics ==



== Branches ==
== Branches ==

Revision as of 06:21, 8 December 2006

File:Detpubliclibrary logo.JPG
Detroit Public Library logo.

The Detroit Public Library (5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202) is the largest library system in Michigan. It is composed of a Main Library on Woodward Avenue, which houses DPL administration offices, and twenty-three branch locations across the city. The Main Library is located in Detroit’s Cultural Center neighborhood adjacent to the Wayne State University campus and across the street from the Detroit Institute of Arts.

History

Skillman Branch reopened in 2006 after renovations. A public library has been on that site since 1875.

A stand alone public library in Detroit dates back to 1865. A 1842 state law requiring the Detroit Board of Education to open a library resulted in a public reading room opening on March 25 in the old Capitol High School at State and Griswold Street. In 1872, the Centre Park Library opened at the current location of the Skillman Branch in downtown Detroit at Gratiot and Library Street. The first branch library opened in 1897 when the Detroit Water Commission library was opened to the public; in 1905 this library was turned over to the Detroit Library Commission.

Several additional branches opened shortly afterwards, including one in the Old Main building of Wayne State. But it was not until 1910 when Andrew Carnegie, the great American library philanthropist of the early 20th century, donated funds did Detroiters decide to build a larger central library to supplement Centre Park. Property near Woodward and Kirby was purchased and in 1912 Cass Gilbert was commission to construct his design of a three floor, early Italian Renaissance-style building. Due to delays and World War I, the Main Library was not officially dedicated until June 3, 1921.


Administration

The library is a publically funded, independent, municipal corporation. DPL funds are administered by the Detroit Public Library Commission whose members are appointed by the Detroit Public Schools CEO. There is an annual public meeting, and several monthly meetings that can be attended by public members.

Statistics

Branches

Branch Address
Bowen Branch 3648 W. Vernor/W. Grand Blvd.
Campbell Branch Library 8733 W. Vernor/Springwells
Chandler Park Branch 12800 Harper/Dickerson
Chaney Branch 16101 Grand River/Greenfield
Chase Branch 17731 W. Seven M./Southfield
Conely Branch 4600 Martin/Michigan
Duffield Branch 2507 W. Grand Blvd./14th St.
Douglass Branch for Specialized Services 3666 Grand River/Trumbull
Edison Branch 18400 Joy Rd./Southfield
Elmwood Park Branch 550 Chene/Lafayette
Franklin Branch 13651 E. McNichols/Gratiot
Hubbard Branch 12929 W. McNichols/J. Couzens
Jefferson Branch 12350 E. Outer Drive/E. Warren
Knapp Branch 13330 Conant/E. Davison
Lincoln Branch 1221 E. Seven Mile/Russell
Main Library 5201 Woodward Ave
Mark Twain Annex/Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church 4741 Iroquois
Monteith Branch 14100 Kercheval/Eastlawn
Parkman Branch 1766 Oakman Blvd./Linwood
Redford Branch 21200 Grand River/W. McNichols
Richard Branch 9876 Grand River/Stoepel
Sherwood Forest Branch 7117 W. Seven Mile/Livernois
Skillman Branch 121 Gratiot / Library
Wilder Branch 7140 E. Seven Mile/Van Dyke
  • Detroit Public Library website includes a historical sketch of the DPL and information on branches and access to the Online Catalogue.