Detroit Public Library
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
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.
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 |
External links
- Detroit Public Library website includes a historical sketch of the DPL and information on branches and access to the Online Catalogue.