Detroit Public Library facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Detroit Public Library
Established	1865
Location	5201 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan
Branches	21
Collection
Size	7,572,562
Access and use
Population served	918,849
Other information
Director	Jo Anne Mondowney
Website	http://www.detroitpubliclibrary.org
Detroit Public Library
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Built	1921, 1963
Architect	Cass Gilbert
Architectural style	Italian Renaissance
Part of	Cultural Center Historic District (ID83003791)
Significant dates
Designated CP	November 21, 1983

The Detroit Public Library is one of the biggest library systems in the state of Michigan. It is also one of the largest public libraries in the United States. The main building is on Woodward Avenue and holds the library's main offices. There are also many smaller library branches across the city.

The Main Library is part of a special historic area called the Cultural Center Historic District. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located near the Wayne State University campus and across from the Detroit Institute of Arts.

A famous architect named Cass Gilbert designed the Detroit Public Library. He used beautiful Italian Renaissance style, with fancy Vermont and Italian marble. Later, in 1963, his son, Cass Gilbert, Jr., helped design new parts of the library. Cass Gilbert also designed other famous buildings, like the United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C.

History of the Detroit Public Library

How the Library Started

A public library in Detroit first opened its doors in 1865. A state law from 1842 said that the Detroit Board of Education should open a library. This led to a public reading room opening on March 25, 1865. It was located in the old Capitol High School.

In 1872, the Centre Park Library opened. This was across the street from where the Skillman Branch is today. The first branch library opened in 1897. This was the Detroit Water Commission library, which became public. In 1905, it was given to the Detroit Library Commission.

The first library building, built in 1872 at Centre Park

Building the Main Library

More branches opened soon after, including one at Wayne State University. But a big change happened in 1910. Andrew Carnegie, a very rich person who gave money to build libraries, donated funds. Detroiters then decided to build a much larger central library.

They bought land near Woodward and Kirby. In 1912, Cass Gilbert was chosen to design the new building. It was planned to be a three-floor building in an early Italian Renaissance style. Because of delays and World War I, the Main Library did not open until March 21, 1921. It was officially dedicated on June 3, 1921.

Important People and Services

In 1937, the Detroit Public Library hired its first African-American librarian, Marjorie A. Blakistone. She worked hard to add more African-American literature to the library's collection. The library also started its bookmobile service in 1940. This service brought books to people who could not easily visit the library.

Detroit Public Library shown on an old postcard

After World War II, the library helped disabled veterans. They offered "projected books" on microfilm. These books could be read using portable projectors. This made it easier for people who had trouble turning pages.

Expanding the Library

New north and south wings were added to the main building. They opened on June 23, 1963. These additions greatly increased the library's space. A new entrance was made on Cass Avenue. Above this entrance, there is a beautiful mosaic by Millard Sheets. It is called The River of Knowledge.

Inside the new parts, a large mural was added to the third floor. This mural, by John Stephens Coppin, is called Man's Mobility. It shows the history of transportation. It goes well with an older mural from 1921 by Gari Melchers, which shows Detroit's early history.

In 1970, Clara Stanton Jones made history. She became the first African American and the first woman to be the director of a major library system in America. She led the Detroit Public Library.

The Detroit Public Library also helped start the Detroit area library network. This network helps libraries share resources. The library still works with this network today.

How the Library is Run

The Detroit Public Library is a public organization. It gets money from the government. The Detroit Public Library Commission is in charge of the library system. Members of this commission are chosen by the Detroit Public Schools Board of Education.

The commission sets the rules and manages the money. There are seven Library Commissioners. One of them is the current president of the Board of Education. Commissioners serve for six years. They have a yearly meeting to choose their leaders. They also have monthly meetings at the Main Library that are open to everyone. The commission hires the Director and other employees for the library.

What You Can Find at the Library

The Detroit Public Library has many things for users. You can find books, magazines, CDs, videos, and DVDs. They also have online materials through special databases.

The library is home to several special collections:

• The Burton Historical Collection is named after historian Clarence M. Burton. It has many old documents and records about Detroit's past.
• The E. Azalia Hackley Collection is named after Emma Azalia Hackley. This collection focuses on African American history and culture.
• The National Automotive History Collection has a lot of information about cars and their history.

You can also find online collections, like one about the Detroit Tigers and famous radio announcer Ernie Harwell. The Ernie Harwell Online Exhibit is part of the Burton Historical Collection. You can search for books and other items using the Detroit Public Library Online Catalog.

Helpful Services

The library offers a helpful service called TIP, which stands for The Information Place. Librarians and staff use a special database to help people. They offer free information and connect people to services in the community.

TIP can help with things like finding food, housing, transportation, or getting financial help. They also offer advice on legal matters, education, counseling, health care, and family support. You can even search the TIP database yourself when you visit the library.

Gallery

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  Main entrance of the Italian Renaissance-style building

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  Detroit Public Library, Cass Avenue entrance

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  Detail of the Mosaic above the Cass Avenue entrance

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  Pewabic fireplace in the HYPE Teen Center

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  HYPE Teen Center

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  Children's Library

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  Burton Historical Collection

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  Skillman Branch, opened in 1932 on the site of the Centre Park Branch

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  Skillman Branch seen from the aptly named Library Street

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  Skillman Branch reopened in 2006 after renovations

Library Branches

The Detroit Public Library has many branches across the city. Here are some of them:

The Douglass Branch for Specialized Services is where the bookmobile service starts. It also has the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

The Skillman Branch has special quotes written on its outside walls:

• Gratiot Avenue side: "The Fountain of Knowledge Flows Through Books"
• Library Street side: "The Wealth Of The Mind Is The Only True Wealth"
• Grand River Street side: "Religion, Knowledge, Morality"
• Farmer Street side: "Civilization is the Accumulated Culture of Mankind"

The Chandler Park branch is a three-story building built in 1957. It has a special collection of books by African Americans. Many people visit this library to use its computers.

See also

In Spanish: Biblioteca Pública de Detroit para niños