Detroit Public Library Celebrates National Library Week

Get Out To Support Detroit Libraries During National Library Week

It's been a chaotic year for the Detroit Public Library system, which has been struggling with cuts and financial challenges. But National Library Week, which runs from April 8-14, is the perfect time for book lovers to get out and show their appreciation for the DPL.

Detroit's budget crisis forced DPL to close four branches last December. Since that time, the library system has reopened the Monteith branch with restricted hours and plans to do the same for the Lincoln Branch later this month. DPL is restricting hours at other branches to afford the cost of keeping them open.

DPL's Assistant Director For Marketing and Communications A.J. Funchess told The Huffington Post the decision to reopen the branches has been well received by patrons.

"They're happy," he said. "It's better than no library at all -- even though the library hours are extremely restricted. Some of these communities have no schools or anything else in their areas. So, they're really holding on tightly."

Detroiters can celebrate this dedication to keeping branches open by attending several events celebrating library week:

A Customer Appreciation Day will be held at the Wilder Branch Wednesday, April 11 from 12-8 p,m. It's open to all ages and will include punch and cookies. The Wilder branch is located at 7140 East 7 Mile.

The Knapp Branch is also sponsoring a Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, April 14. The event will include refreshments and a children's bookmark-making class from 1-2 p.m. The Knapp Branch is located at 13330 Conant.

Also on Saturday, Detroit Author Jean Alicia Elster will read books from her "Joe Joe in the City" series at the Duffield Branch from 2-3:30 p.m. The books are aimed at kids between the ages of 5 and 13. The Duffield Branch is located at 2507 W. Grand Blvd.

The Detroit Public Library Friends Foundation's annual used book sale, which raises funds for a summer reading program, is coming up as well. Although the event usually takes place during library week, it's been moved back a week this year because of the Easter Holiday. The sale will now take place on April 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Detroit's Main Library, located at 5201 Woodward Ave.

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