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Reopening with Care

*Update* Wednesday, April 19, 2023

The success achieved in maintaining and expanding library services through an unprecedented three-year worldwide pandemic is a testament to the dedication, resilience, and hard work of Library staff.

On Monday, April 10, 2023, President Joe Biden signed into law a resolution to end the national emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Concurrent to this action, beginning Friday, April 21, 2023, the Detroit Public Library will revise its COVID-19 protocols as follows:

▪ Masking will be optional for customers, other visitors and staff however, we ask that you wear a mask if you have cold-like or COVID-19 symptoms.

▪ DPL will discontinue providing free masks to customers.

▪ Drinking fountains will be turned back on.

▪ Protective shields will remain in place and computers will remain socially distanced.

▪ The Woodward entrance at Main Library will reopen.

▪ Access at Main Library will continue to be limited to the first floor until the public elevator is replaced.

▪ Technology Learning Center at Main Library will also remain closed until further notice.

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*Update* Wednesday, June 28, 2022

On July 5, 2022, we will begin a phased reopening of the following ten library branches that were closed during the pandemic: Bowen, Chandler Park, Chaney, Douglass, Duffield, Elmwood Park, Franklin, Knapp, Lincoln and Sherwood Forest. They will join Main Library, Campbell, Edison, Jefferson, Parkman, Redford and Wilder library branches, and the Mobile Library in offering a full range of library services to the community.

Staff is working to fill more than 100 positions that became vacant during the course of the pandemic. All library locations have been cleaned and feature new public computers. We will continue the COVID-19 safety protocol that requires customers to wear a mask. Staff plan to celebrate the reopening of our locations in September during National Library Card Sign-Up Month.

Open Now

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Sat

Sun

Main Library

5201 Woodward Ave. 48202

313-481-1300

10-6

12-8

12-8

10-6

10-6

10-6

1-5

(Oct-May)

Campbell Branch

8733 W. Vernor/Springwells 48209

313-481-1550

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6

10-6*

Edison Branch

18400 Joy/Southfield 48228

313-481-1720

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6

10-6*

Jefferson Branch

12350 E. Outer Dr./E. Warren 48224

313-481-1760

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6

10-6*

Parkman Branch

1766 Oakman Blvd./Linwood 48238

313-481-1810

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6

10-6*

Redford Branch

21200 Grand River/W. McNichols 48219

313-481-1820

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6

10-6*

Wilder Branch

7140 E. 7 Mile Rd./Van Dyke 48234

313-481-1870

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6

10-6*

Open July 5, 2022

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Sat

Sun

Bowen Branch

3648 W. Vernor/W. Grand Blvd. 48216

313-481-1540

10-6

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6*

Chandler Park Branch

12800 Harper/Dickerson 48213

313-481-1560

10-6

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6*

Chaney Branch

16101 Grand River/Greenfield 48227

313-481-1570

10-6

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6*

Elmwood Park Branch

550 Chene/Lafayette 48207

313-481-1730

10-6

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6*

Knapp Branch

13330 Conant/E. Davison 48212

313-481-1770

10-6

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6*

Sherwood Forest Branch

7117 W. 7 Mile Rd./Livernois 48221

313-481-1840

10-6

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6*

Open July 18, 2022

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Sat

Sun

Franklin Branch

13651 E. McNichols/Gratiot 48205

313-481-1740

10-6

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6*

Lincoln Branch

1221 E. 7 Mile Rd./Russell 48203

313-481-1780

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6

10-6*

Open August 22, 2022

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Sat

Sun

Duffield Branch

2507 W. Grand Blvd./14th St. 48208

313-481-1710

10-6

12-8

10-6

12-8

10-6*

*During the school year, (Labor Day to Memorial Day), these locations are open Saturday and closed Friday.

Closed Branch Libraries – Update

Due to the delay of materials needed to install the new cooling and heating systems, the Chase Branch Library is scheduled to reopen in January, 2023. Also, the Hubbard Branch Library is scheduled to reopen in March, 2023 due to the delay of materials needed to install its new cooling and heating systems. As noted in December, 2021, the Monteith, Conely and Skillman branches are also closed. The Monteith Branch Library has critical capital improvement needs, which include a new roof and boiler, air conditioning, electrical work, refreshing of its public spaces and additional modifications in order to become ADA compliant. The total cost is estimated to be over $3.3 million. Following a structural assessment of the Conely Branch Library, it has been determined that significant repairs are needed to its basement floor and structural damage along the west and north walls. The Skillman Branch Library, adjacent to the old Hudson’s site, will remain closed while major construction activities in the area continue to disrupt parking and access to the building. The completion date was pushed back, with the front portion of the building to be completed by the end of 2023.


*Update* Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Beginning April 4, 2022, the following protocols apply:

· Masks are required inside all Detroit Public Library locations

· Children younger than 11 must be accompanied by an adult

The Library encourages all visitors to continue to wash their hands, wipe down work areas before use, and social distance.

Note: Some areas of Main Library remain closed for facility repairs.* Access to Main Library is via the Cass Avenue entrance.

*Open departments: Children’s Library, HYPE Teen Center, Popular Library, Newspaper Room, Film Room, and Social Science, Education & Religion (SSER).


*Update* Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Beginning July 12, 2021, the Detroit Public Library will offer more in-person service hours at the Main Library and six branch locations: Campbell, Edison, Jefferson, Parkman, Redford, and Wilder. These service hours will remain in effect through June 30, 2022.

A mask must be worn inside all library locations.

Public Service Hours Through June 30, 2022

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
(Oct-May)
Hours/Week
Main Library*10-810-810-810-810-610-61-560
Campbell10-810-810-810-810-6**48
Edison10-810-810-810-810-6**48
Jefferson10-810-810-810-810-6**48
Parkman10-810-810-810-810-6**48
Redford10-810-810-810-810-610-61-560
Wilder10-810-810-810-810-610-61-560
Mobile Library***8-48-48-48-48-41-544
Total416

*Open areas: Children’s Library, HYPE Teen Center, Popular Library, Newspaper Room, Audio-Visual Room and

Social Science, Education & Religion (SSER) Department.

**During the school year (Sept-May), these locations are closed Fridays and open Saturdays.

***Saturday & Sunday stops are by appointment.


This schedule is noteworthy because Main Library will now open on Mondays for the first time since 1981. Also, for the first time ever, Main Library and the Redford and Wilder branches will open 7 days a week from October through May.

In addition, Detroit Public Library services will be updated as follows:

  • Current capacity at all open locations will increase to 50%
  • Daily time limits for customers will increase to two (2) hours
  • Customers will be able to receive full reference services, browse library shelves in open agencies, and check out all library materials (i.e., books, magazines and DVDs)
  • Available meeting rooms will be open to community groups
  • Now accepting cash payments

Several services that were introduced during the past year will also continue, including curbside delivery, online chat, laptop computers for check-out, and virtual programs.

For the safety of all, we will continue to follow the protocol guidelines established by the National Sanitation Foundation. Customers and staff will continue to wear masks and practice social distancing. In addition, all children must be accompanied by an adult.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the Library’s new hours for the next year:

The Main Library, and Redford & Wilder branches:

  • Monday – Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday & Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Sunday (Oct-May): 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Campbell, Edison, Jefferson, & Parkman branches:

  • Monday – Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

(In the summer, open Friday, closed Saturday.)

How much longer is the library open with the new hours?

The change in hours results in these library locations being open up to 30% more time than they were in the past.

Are your current hours related to DPL’s finances?

While COVID-19 has impacted our budget, these changes were not made as a cost-saving measure. We explored many service models and chose this option as a safe, manageable, and sustainable way to offer library service.

Why aren’t you opening more locations?

Many of our locations cannot support COVID-related safety protocols. Many of our buildings are too small to accommodate social distancing or have an inadequate ventilation system. Offering additional service hours at our current sites was our safest and most manageable option for us.

Are you planning to close branches?

No! This schedule will be in effect for one year from July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022. We hope to reopen all of our branch locations in July 2022.

What are you doing for children?

We are conducting community-wide program initiatives including 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, our annual summer reading program, librarian’s choice book selection packets, and craft kits to use at home. To assist with learning and education we have ABCMouse, access to the Michigan Learning Channel, and live virtual tutoring services with Tutor.com. Our online learning databases have resources for all levels of education.

What new services have you implemented?

In addition to our current digital offerings including Overdrive, Hoopla, Tutor.com, LinkedIn Learning and other databases, we now offer:

  • Online chat with a librarian
  • Curbside delivery of books
  • Children’s librarian’s choice for book selection
  • Our digital resources have expanded and our OVERDRIVE app now offers full text of over 3,000 magazine titles.
  • Ask-A-Librarian service telephone and email reference service
  • You can still talk with a librarian about your information needs and have materials pulled for you.
  • Laptop computers are available for circulation for up to 90 days.
  • Digital library cards
  • Virtual programming including author talks, book club discussions, story times, and classes for other skills.
  • Our Mobile Library is back on the road; the schedule can be found on our website

What’s happening in the closed branches?

We continue to maintain all of our buildings, including providing security, lawn service, and snow removal. We are also using this time to make repairs and clean these facilities. Final preparations for reopening our branches will begin in March 2022.



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