Detroit Public Library history

In 1872, the Centre Park Library opened across the street from the current location of the Skillman Branch in downtown Detroit at Gratiot and Library Street.

In 1877, a new library opened in Centre Park on the site of the present Skillman Branch.

In 1900, branches were opened inside Central High School (now Old Main at Wayne State University), Harris School on the east side, and Western High School.

In 1910, Andrew Carnegie, who was a library philanthropist, donated money to the city of Detroit for their library system and it was with this money that Detroit decided to build a main library on a piece of property on Woodward Avenue, near Kirby Street.

The city commissioned Cass Gilbert in 1912 to construct a three-floor library in the early Italian Renaissance Style.

Due to delays and World War I, the Main Library did not open until March 21, 1921.

In 1937, the Detroit Public Library hired its first African-American librarian, Marjorie A. Blakistone; Blackistone worked throughout her career to expand the library's African-American literature collection.

The library system's bookmobile service began in 1940.

In 1970 Clara Stanton Jones became the first African American and the first woman to serve as director of a major library system in America, as director of the Detroit Public Library.